How to Bike from San Francisco to Point Reyes for a Weekend Getaway
For many years, I didn’t own a car while living in San Francisco, so most of my weekend getaways were (and still are!) within biking distance of the city. Of course, “biking distance” means different things to different people, but generally anything under 50 miles (one way) has been fair game. One of my favorite destinations for a cycle-friendly getaway has long been the area around Point Reyes and Tomales Bay. The destination itself is wonderful but the road from San Francisco to Point Reyes also happens to be an excellent 40-50 mile bike ride through redwood groves and along craggy coastlines. Depending on which route you take, you might even end up on the scenic Highway 1 for most of your trip—a California classic.
Want to make your own weekend adventure out of biking to Point Reyes? Use this guide for routes, food and hotel recommendations, and tips to plan your own overnight bike trip to Point Reyes.
Overview of Biking from San Francisco to Point Reyes
Difficulty: Medium-hard
Distance: 30-50 miles one way (from San Francisco)
The route: Ride along coastal Highway 1 through Stinson Beach and Olema, or take an easier route inland through Fairfax and Samuel P Taylor State Park.
Why go: Beautiful views of Tomales Bay and the Pacific Coast, oysters, fresh cheese, great hiking and cycling, elk, and a historic lighthouse.
The Route from San Francisco to Point Reyes
View the full route on Strava.
Early one Friday afternoon, Jon and I set out for Inverness, a cluster of homes and shops too small to be called a town, next to the Point Reyes National Seashore. Our destination: a quirky, rustic bed and breakfast just yards away from Tomales Bay called Manka’s Lodge. (2024 update: it’s currently closed for renovations but there are several great Airbnbs in Inverness. Lodge at Marconi, just across the bay, is another excellent, new option, as is Olema House, which is about 6 miles closer as well.)
In the spirit of our laid-back getaway, we opted against the coastal route up Highway 1, which would involve a lot of climbing. Instead, we chose the easier route inland through Fairfax and Samuel P Taylor State Park.
The first dozen or so miles took us through well-beaten paths: over the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito, up Corte Madera, and into a splay of cute, small towns and character-filled neighborhoods. By the time we reached Fairfax, my favorite little hippie outpost in California, I was starving. We stopped at Good Earth Natural Foods to scarf down a slice of pizza before moving on but when we have more time, beer-braut-bike spot Gestalt Haus is a favorite.
Leaving Fairfax means entering the countryside. After 20 or so miles of ogling picturesque houses, it always feels abrupt to climb the hill out of Fairfax and descend into an open sea of green trees and golden grassland. It’s also really fun: after building momentum on the descent, the stretch between Fairfax and Samuel P Taylor is flat and long—perfect for picking up speed.
Eventually, the road curved into the shady, redwood forest in Samuel P Taylor State Park. The new(ish), smoothly paved roads in the park make it one of the smoother stretches on our route.
Emerging from the forest, we faced one last climb: a couple miles of exposed road, inching up and up until finally the world seemed to open. We could finally see what we had been biking for: the seashore. Done with the climb, we cruised down towards the water and north along the coast, veering left at the start of Tomales Bay, and finally arriving in the small “town” of Inverness.
Things to Do in Point Reyes and its Surrounds
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Even though Point Reyes National Seashore is a mere 40 miles north of San Francisco, it’s surprisingly rugged. Most of the “development” in this area has come in the form of farms, creameries, and fisheries.
Nature thrives here. The National Park is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals, rough coastlines, and open grasslands. Whenever we’re up there, we like to keep an eye out for sea beans (a salty, crunchy, edible plant) and elk. There’s also (of course) miles of bikeable road. Here are a few destinations to plug in your GPS:
Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse
Built in 1870 and retired in 1975, the Point Reyes Lighthouse is an important historical landmark. During its use, it saved thousands of ships from wreckage in the windy, foggy waters off the coast of Point Reyes. If you bike there, you’ll have to leave your bike at the top of the long flight of stairs that lead down to the lighthouse to explore inside.
Hike or Bike in Tule Elk Preserve
If you continue down to the tip of Tomales Bay after Inverness, you’ll eventually hit the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point. It’s a beautiful, natural space, but also a habitat for the Thule Elk. On this particular visit, we lucked out: our route was literally blocked by dozens of elk running across the road and into the field beside us. Plus, since we were on bikes, we didn’t scare them away like the cars who followed behind us.
Snap a Photo of the Point Reyes Shipwreck
Just behind the convenience store in Inverness sits the Point Reyes Shipwreck. It’s a fun stop for Instagram photos and picnics as you head up to Tomales Point. And (don’t tell too many people) a lot of sea beans grow there.
Although, sadly, a fire in 2016 destroyed the stern of the decaying boat, it’s still there (and still being Instagramed).
Hike to Alamere Falls
The trail to Alamere Falls is undoubtedly the most iconic hike in this region, taking trailblazers past a rare waterfall (tidefall) cascading down 30 feet of cliff into the ocean. While you can’t ride your bike there, any list of things to do in Point Reyes would be amiss without this.
Where to eat in and around Point Reyes
The Marshall Store
As you might expect, Point Reyes has a bunch of great options for oysters and seafood. Thanks to all the dairies in the area, it’s also a great spot to pick up farm-fresh cheese. Here are our top picks on where to eat in and around Point Reyes:
Inverness Park Tap Room: for beers and sandwiches
On the road between Olema and Inverness, the Inverness Park Delicatessen and Tap Room is hands down the best place for a casual lunch. They have great sandwiches from breakfast onwards and, in the afternoon, their bar opens to serve fresh beer on draft. It’s always a reward to end a ride here before leisurely finishing the final few miles.
Marshall Store: for a seafood lunch
While Hog Island Oysters gets most of the attention, I prefer to head to the more humble Marshall Store in Marshall. Get the half crab / oyster combo and smoked fish to get a sampling of their best. Tomales Bay Oysters is also a great, no-frills, nothing-but-oysters pitstop. Just bring your shucker, because you’ll have to open your own. All of these places are great for lunch.
Saltwater Oyster Depot: for a nice dinner
Saltwater Oyster Depot
If you’re sticking around for dinner, try rustic Saltwater Oyster Depot in Inverness. It’s only one of two restaurants within walking distance of Mankas and any Airbnb in Inverness, but with food so good you won’t be disappointed that it’s essentially your only option. Sidle up to the bar, order a bottle of wine, and warm up with dishes like rabbit cassoulet, seafood chowder, or a full grilled fish. They also serve breakfast and lunch.
Where to stay in and around Point Reyes
Manka’s Inverness Lodge
Whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, there’s are lots of accommodation options in Point Reyes. In addition to Airbnb and Hipcamp, below are our favorite places to stay in Point Reyes:
Manka’s Inverness Lodge - $300+ per night
Few places have the eccentricity and charm as the redwoods-inspired Manka’s Inverness Lodge. Originally built in the 1900s, and restored after burning to the ground in 2006, Manka’s now hosts guests in their dark but cozy rooms that bring the outdoors in. From full tree branches in pots as decorations, to outdoor showers and wood-burning fireplaces, Manka’s is a retreat in the woods that won’t let you forget it. They close intermittently and are currently under renovations until 2024 according to their website.
To book, you must call (yes, actually pick up the phone and call) for reservations. Phone number: (415) 669-1034.
Olema House - $300+ per night
Olema House is a luxurious, modern hotel and one of the best accommodation options in the area. As the name suggests, it’s located in the tiny “town” of Olema (which is barely more than a few buildings), just near the entrance to Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s a popular spot for cyclists to stop and refill on water, but also a charming and comfortable hotel with a large, bucolic lawn for lounging after a hard days’ ride. With an onsite restaurant and bar, you won’t need to worry about cycling into town for dinner after dark, though Point Reyes Station is only a quick, 2.5-mile bike ride away should you want the option.
Camping in Samuel P Taylor State Park - $35 per night ($7 for bike campers)
Samuel P Taylor State Park is one of the most popular campsites outside of San Francisco, nestled in a cool redwood grove alongside a creek. While car camping sites book up far in advance, the hiker/biker campsites are first come first serve (no need to reserve) and cost about $7 per bike per night. It’s still another 8 or so miles to Point Reyes Station, but this is by far the best campground in the area, and an excellent option for last minute trips.
Sky Campground is another, closer option, but difficult to score a reservation since they don’t offer a first come, first serve option for cyclists.
HI Hostel Point Reyes - $35 per night for a dorm bed
Hosteling International USA has a hostel in the Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s homey, full of books, and totally off the grid (re: no cell phone service). They also give a small discount to cyclists (yay!). Just make sure you have food for the night before arriving—it’s more remote than the other options, and there’s steep climb out of the hostel that you won’t want to do that more times than you have to.
Packing tips for a weekend bike trip to Point Reyes
Point Reyes can be quite windy and foggy. So, while you may still see sunny days (especially in the morning), be prepared for wind, fog, and chilly weather. Be sure to pack:
Your cold weather bike gear (booties, jacket, etc.)
A warm outfit to change into at night
Snacks and plenty of water
For bike camping, a warm sleeping bag is a must even in the summer.
This post was originally published in 2017 and most recently updated in 2024 to include current information.
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