Magical McClures

McClures Beach in Point Reyes

McClures Beach Point Reyes National Seashore

McClures Beach is a seductive little spot: small, beautiful, and quiet. It’s easy to while away an afternoon-turned-sunset at this pocket cove in Point Reyes. Near the northern tip of the park, McClures Beach is bookended by huge rocks, making a magical and exciting little beach that’s reached by a short and somewhat steep 0.4-mile downhill hike.

Person surveying the beach at McClures Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

Hiker sitting and looking out to the waves at McClures Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

Person standing at McClures Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes has over 80 miles of protected shoreline, and this is one of its most remote. On your drive in to the McClures Beach parking lot you might see the mighty tule elk—this northern part of the park is a tule elk reserve. Relaxing at McClures Beach after a hike out to Tomales Point makes for a fantastic day in the park. Bring your picnic supplies and chill out, watching the massive waves crashing on shore. Mmmm … McClures.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode "Exclamation Point!" Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss their explorations of Point Reyes and being at McClures Beach for sunset.

The parking lot for the trailhead to McClures Beach is at the northern end of Pierce Point Rd. No dogs at the beach.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  2. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  3. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  4. Up and Umunhum

    Early risers can experience one of the Bay Area’s best morning glory hikes on this 7.4-mile out-and-back up beautiful Mount Umunhum. In early spring if you arrive at the parking area right before sunrise, you’ll get a beautiful eastern view of the sun coming up between Bald Mountain and the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. On days when fog settles into the valley, the colorful view is nothing short of magical.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View