Point Reyes Station Warnings and Dangers

Usually, Point Reyes is cold, foggy and damp - after all, it is supposed to be the foggiest place in the country. And if the entire Point isn't shrouded in fog (we call it the "marine layer"), the marine layer is hugging the coast. And if the marine layer isn't hugging the coast, it's hovering somewhere on the horizon, just threatening to come ashore and swallow up the Point.

You usually won't see this - no marine layer anywhere. No haze. Absolutely brilliant.

You'll notice that at almost all beaches at Point Reyes, there are signs that indicate the dangers of swimming. The surf is generally pounding, and there's a fair amount of undertoe. As well as the 2nd largest breeding ground for great white sharks... uh... yeah, you get the picture.

You got it! The ranger came by on the day we arrived at Coast Camp to tell us that a black bear had been spotted in the area. This was the first black bear sighting in Point Reyes in over a century. Still don't know if it's confirmed, but that added a little tingle of excitement to the night. No longer was the food locker just to keep the raccoons at bay!

According to a local TV station (KPIX):
Experts are trying to confirm the sighting of a black bear in Marin County.

Employees at the Point Reyes Youth Hostel say they saw the animal last weekend rummaging through trash bins. If it was an American Black Bear, it would be the first spotted in the Point Reyes National Seashore in more than 100 years.

Park rangers took hair samples for testing and say they are 98% sure it was a black bear. A state biologist calls the sighting unusual, but not surprising, as the bears have been expanding their habitat.

The weather is unpredictable on Point Reyes. Even if it's a sunny day, the fog can roll in and the weather turn gray and misty. Bring a sweater and warm clothing. In general, the weather is cool and damp. The warmest months & best time to visit is August, September and October. Earlier in the summer, the weather can be cool and foggy. Late fall and winter, rain is not uncommon.