A Day at the Beach

Harbor Seals in the distance


Harbor Seals with pups in Bolinas Lagoon


Some of the coastal vegetation


This is Seep Monkeyflower, which is not often seen. It needs to have its feet in water.


Every once in a while I put the dogs in the car and take them to the beach. The latest trip resulted in a spectacular sighting of harbor seals with their pups. The lagoon is a safe haven from great white sharks and there is one particular harem that lives in the Bolinas lagoon. The pups are less than a week old right now and you can see the whole family lounging on the sandbars at low tide. On the way to the beach I was reminded of how spectacular the scenery is in West Marin. I thought I would provide a fun itinerary for a day in West Marin. I would recommend starting out in Point Reyes Station. If you are there around lunch time or earlier stop at the Pine Cone Diner (across from the Cowgirl Creamery) and try the pan seared trout for breakfast. Trust me.

If you are in Point Reyes later in the day be sure to eat at The Station House Cafe. They have been written up in all the food magazines and are famous for their popovers which arrive hot at the table before your meal is served. They have a spectacular garden patio too. There are several galleries and a couple of antique shops. You could spend a few hours in Point Reyes. As you head down the coast you will pass through the little town of Olema. As you enter the Olema Valley keep your eyes peeled for the fallow white deer, that is if the park service has not exterminated them all yet. Do a google search. There are about a 1000 pure white deer in the Olema Valley, but as a non-native species they may be wiped out.

On the way to Stinson if you are passing at low tide, late afternoon, you may see the large harem of seals with their new pups. I counted three pups and there was one casualty with vultures huddled over it. After you spend time at Stinson be sure to stop at the ice cream parlor in town.

If you drive out to the coast via Sir Francis Drake take the detour that is recommended, there are good signs, or you may be delayed by up to 30 minutes.