Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang December 23rd, 2011

Winter is a great time to visit Point Reyes and one of the major reasons is whale watching. The gray whales migrate past and the elephant seals return to the Point Reyes Headlands. Check the video below for a terrific video of some lucky individuals who saw some whales. But please note that lots of visitors coming Point Reyes means that the Park Service will start their shuttle service.

From the NPS site.

Starting on Dec 31, 2011, bus service is provided Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from Drakes Beach directly to the lighthouse parking lot. Visitors can disembark for whale watching and wildflowers, or they may continue on to Chimney Rock for hiking and seal watching.

• Whales , Winter
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You Mon Tsang November 3rd, 2011

After a big day of eating turkey and hanging out with the family, it’s time to flex your arms and legs and work off the second helping of stuffing! Head out to Point Reyes. Here are some great things to do:

• See if the fish are spawning; check for updates and tours at SPAWN (Salmon Protection And Watershed Network)
• Check out the terrific local artists at the semi-annnual Open Studios
• Maybe you can catch the very tail end of the Tule Elk Rut Season
• For bird watchers, it’s always worth a stroll to Abbotts Lagoon, where you may be able to find migrating birds.

• Art , Beach , Food
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You Mon Tsang October 16th, 2011

The long vistas of Point Reyes are a joy to drive, ride or bike.

• Photos
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You Mon Tsang September 12th, 2011

This area brings out the smiles!

• Photos
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You Mon Tsang August 21st, 2011

Update: Mid-August update 2011: The tule elk begin their annual rut season. Larger males sizing each another and establishing harems. On weekends, docents set up scopes at Tomales Point to get a closer look.

The tule elk is a subspecies of elk that is unique to California. Nearly hunted to extinction during the Gold Rush, the tule elk received federal protection in 1971. Pierce Point, the north point of the Point Reyes peninsula, is now a 2,600 acre reserve for the tule elk. In the fall, it is a warm, beautiful hike with the opportunity to see the elk rut season. You are likely to hear bull elks bugle, spar and try to form their harems of females.

Some facts from the National Park Service:

Female elk are sexually mature by two years of age, although they may be able to breed as yearlings. Nearly all female elk will reproduce during their lifetime. A female is likely to have six to ten calves in her lifetime. Males are sexually mature at age two, but usually aren?t able to breed until they are strong enough to compete with other bulls to defend a harem of cows. Half the male population will remain bachelors; most breeding is accomplished by ten percent of the male population.

Videos by the NPS:

This video was created by the National Park Service’s Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center as part of its 2004 “Science Behind the Scenery” DVD.

Tule Elk: California’s Legacy of Wildness chronicles the fascinating and inspirational story of the tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) which are native to California and can be viewed at the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve. Since pre-historic times, large herds of tule elk roamed California’s central valley and coastal plains. Unfortunately, they were hunted to near-extinction by the late 19th century. Tule Elk examines how the dramatic rebound of the tule elk population at Point Reyes National Seashore and in California at large demonstrates the success of threatened species protections and conservation laws.
Continue Reading »

• Nature , Tule Elk
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You Mon Tsang June 10th, 2011

2011 details: July 16, 2011!

Head out to Far West Fest!  This day, voted Best Music Festival in Marin, benefits Community Radio KWMR and the Love Field Open Space — both beloved West Marin institutions.

The Far West is a green event with 100% recycling/ zero-waste, carbon offset options, and no plastic packaging on site. Food vendors are local purveyors of organic, sustainable offerings including oysters, fresh produce, grass fed meats, and baked goods.

The festival music stages offersa lineup of funk, blues, country, rock, folk, experimental, bluegrass and world music, internationally touring acts and local favorites.

The festival also offers a supervised Kidz Zone that features interactive activities, healthful snacks, and kid-centric live music and storytellers.

Check out more.

Images courtesy of RKado

• Local Scene , Music
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You Mon Tsang May 29th, 2011

Photo by artolog.

• Local Scene
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You Mon Tsang January 19th, 2011

If you find yourself wanting to know about Point Reyes or if you miss it and want to revisit it virtually, take a look at the work of Emmanuel Rondeau.  Below is a video and here’s a link to his portfolio of Point Reyes photos.

• Photos , Video
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You Mon Tsang December 15th, 2010

Marin Mommies has a good overview of whale watching at Point Reyes:

Probably the best place to see the whale migration is at the Point Reyes Lighthouse, since it’s at the point where the Point Reyes Peninsula juts farthest into the Pacific Ocean. Chimney Rock, on the opposite side of the ridge from the lighthouse, is another good place to observe. Due to the popularity of these spots, the Park Service operates a winter shuttle bus program in the area on weekends and holidays starting the last Saturday in December through mid April. …

Whales aren’t the only large migratory marine mammals to be seen out at Point Reyes. Over the past few years, the Point Reyes peninsula has become home to a sizeable population of Northern Elephant Seals (mirounga angustirostris). These huge seals can be found camped out on beaches around the area, particularly in and around Chimney Rock.

• Whales
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You Mon Tsang August 29th, 2010

Want to be inspired by other people’s sand sculptures and sand castles?  Better yet, want to give it a try yourself?

Every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the National Park Service hosts at Drake Beach a Sand Sculpture Contest.  It is really fun.  If you want to give it a go, I would advise that you bring tools to (1) move sand, (2) move water and (3) finely tune sand.

Facts for 2010:

• Event occurs on Sunday, Sept 5, 2010.
• Anyone can enter.
• Prizes awarded in each of several age and group catagories.
• Free to participants and spectators.
• Registration begins at 9:00 am at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center.
• Judging begins at 12:00 pm.
• Prizes awarded at 3:30 pm.

Categories include: Children (14 and under), Families, Adult Individuals, and Adult Groups. Three prizes will be awarded in each of those categories, along with prizes for the sculpture with the most recycled plastic included.

Photos of past winners at the National Park Service web site:

• Beach , Kids , Summer
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