June 24, 2021

Limantour Beach

At Point Reyes National Seashore: 

from youth hostel on coast trail to the beach and back on Muddy Hollow Trail.

hikers:  Mark and Lecia

distance: about a 4.9 mile loop and 200 feet of elevation drop and then gain.

We parked near the hostel and headed down the Coast Trail, which is really a road.  You can park near Limantour beach if you don't want to hike.  But hiking is our thing and part of the adventure.  Here is a map with our hike in orange

This was the start of the coastal trail, just across the road from the hostel.

Besides the deer we saw other hikers going both directions but it wasn't busy.  When we got to the beach, it was pretty secluded.   It was the south end of Limantour Beach or maybe the Santa Maria Beach.  At least that is what I think after looking at the map afterwards.  While we were enjoying the view and the loudness of the waves, I didn't even know there was more than one beach, since it is all connected. I didn't realize how long of a beach it is.

It was very pleasant and we had a log to sit on and eat our picnic lunch from Subway.  It was an enjoyable place to spend some time and we were mostly by ourselves.  The sand was crusty and you could pick up a piece.  

When we were ready to go back we went on over to Limantour beach.  

This is the sign as you are heading to Limantour beach from the parking lot.  You also cross this bridge going from the parking lot to the beach.  

And there are restrooms here.  

But instead of going to the parking lot we took the Muddy Hollow Trail. 

This trail was very pretty.  

 

Prettiest dandelions I've ever seen!

After a while you leave the open areas and are in shady paths. 

 We saw beautiful wildflowers and lots of quail, the California State bird!

The muddy hollow trail connects to the muddy hollow road, as you can see 

on the map, and that crosses Limantour Road and you are back to the hostel!