In 1978 there were only 10 Tule Elk in Point Reyes. Thanks to rigorous conservation and reintroduction efforts, more than 400 of the animals now prosper there. The best place to see these impressive beasts is Tomales Point, which juts out into the Pacific like a long finger. Hiking Tomales Point Trail—one of our favorite hikes in all of Northern California—takes you directly through a Tule Elk Reserve. The wide, easy 4.7-mile (one way) walk traces the park's burly, Pacific-plunging bluffs. Feel the ocean breeze slide across treeless headlands as you devour the uninterrupted Pacific views to the west and beautiful Tomales Bay to the east. Hikers can turn around anytime, but we recommend going all the way to picnic at the trail's end lookout point. Spot sea lions surfing the waves, sailboats bobbing in distant Bodega Bay, and (if you're lucky) whales diving and flicking their tails. Bring binoculars and snacks. And remember: Respect your elk.
BONUS: Afterward, relax at nearby McClure Beach. It's just a half-mile hike from the designated parking lot, bonfires are permitted (with a fire permit), and crowds are slim.
The trailhead is at the northern end of Point Reyes at Pierce Point Ranch. Note: For the hike's last three-quarters of a mile, sand and overgrowth obscure the trail, but just keep walking and you'll reach the rocky tip in no time. The parking lot for McClure Beach is a few hundred feet past the Tomales Point trailhead on Pierce Point Rd. No dogs on the trail.