Santa Maria Is Magical
Bike to Santa Maria Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore
Ready to find a beach to call your own? Make a visit to Santa Maria Beach in Point Reyes. It’s often overlooked for nearby Limantour Beach. What makes Santa Maria so quiet and peaceful? The 3-mile bike (or hike) in!
The wide dirt fire road is mostly flat and makes for an easy mountain bike ride. From the Point Reyes Hostel, you'll pedal 3 miles (one-way) on the Coast Trail. The first 2 miles is partially shaded beside a creek.
The last mile parallels the shoreline with gorgeous coastal views all the way to Coast Camp. Here you can park and lock your bike or get off your bike and walk it on down the trail with you to the beach. {Tip: Coast Campground is a hike- or bike-in haven found along this trail. With 12 sites and 2 group sites, all are tucked among the coastal grasses and offer quick access to the beach. The shortest route to the camp is via a 2-mile hike combining Laguna and Fire Lane Trails. The trailhead where you start, Laguna Trailhead, is located east of the hostel.}
South-facing and a sanctuary even during busy summer days, Santa Maria is big enough that even if it's busy, you'll still find a slice of sand to call your own. Spread your blanket and a picnic, then break out the Frisbee or kick back with a good read. Keep an eye out for whales, too. They're out there sometimes!
Bike-friendly Coast Trail starts at Coast trailhead, across the street from the Point Reyes Hostel. No dogs.
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