Point Reyes Seashore
City life is great, but there is a whole other world just outside of San Francisco that is worth going the extra mile. Drive up about an hour from the city and you will be met with towering trees and endless wilderness.  The two-lane highway takes you through giant Douglas-fir and Bishop Pine trees where you might even see a family of deer pop out on the road.  It’s just you and your headlights through the pitch black forest that takes you out to 80 miles of the most breathtaking views of shoreline and cliffs.
If taking pictures is your thing, there are plenty of photo ops along the way. My favorite starting with the abandoned S.S. Point Reyes, the shipwreck that sits on a sandbar behind the local Inverness Store.
Popular among painters and photographers because of the spectacular picture perfect setting. I visited in October and rumor was that the abandoned ship would be taken down because of damage caused by a fire. It really looks like something out of a Nicholas Sparks movie. Little rustic town with a handful of shops and a beautiful calm shoreline. All you need is a love story.
After about 45 minutes of the serene Sir Francis Drake Blvd., you are met with the picturesque Point Reyes Seashore. The white sand-stone cliffs make it a beautiful back drop for more pictures.
Once you park you can either continue enjoying the views or walk up 1-mile to the lighthouse. Â Highly recommend to make it down to see it! Â As you make your way down to the historic landmark, you are surrounded by 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Â Depending on when you visit, you can spot the whales migrating to warmer waters.
It’s 300 steps down to the lighthouse, which means 300 steps up when you’re done! Best quick workout ever. So comfort is key! It can also get really chilly and windy up in this area. Before heading out, check the weather. They close down the lighthouse when there is an excess of winds.
Once you get out there the feeling of being surrounded by this enormous mass of water is a reminder that we really are tiny fish in a big world.
