Place

McClures Beach Trailhead

A dirt trails departs from a paved parking lot toward the ocean in the distance.
The McClures Beach Trailhead is located a short, but moderately steep, 0.4-mile walk from the ocean.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts
Location:
Point Reyes National Seashore's McClures Beach Trailhead is located near the north end of Pierce Point Road, Inverness, California. Geographic Coordinates: 38.1885, -122.9581

Parking - Auto, Recycling, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles

The McClures Beach Trailhead is located downhill and to the west of historic Pierce Point Ranch at the north end of Pierce Point Road. The McClures Beach Trail—which is mostly within the Phillip Burton Wilderness—offers a short, moderately steep hike down to an isolated and beautiful beach that is exposed to the rough Pacific Ocean surf.

Suggested Routes From This Trailhead

Hike the McClures Beach Trail: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) roundtrip, moderate

App Users: For more information on these specific routes, press the "Things to Do" icon on the park's homepage and select "Hiking" from the list of activities. Find the options listed above, or browse routes that begin at the park's other trailheads.

Park Regulations

  • Take only pictures; leave only footprints: Almost everything one finds at Point Reyes is protected by law, including shells, rocks, fossils, flowers, and artifacts.
  • Please only travel on authorized trails, respect posted signs, and practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating in the park.
  • Check current conditions and trail advisories and closures before your visit.
  • Bicycles are not permitted on the McClures Beach Trail.
  • Pets are not permitted on the McClures Beach. Visit our Pets page to learn where pets are permitted at Point Reyes National Seashore.
  • Horses and pack animals are permitted on the McClures Beach Trail, except for llamas. Please visit our Horse Riding page for more information.
  • Drones are not permitted anywhere in Point Reyes National Seashore.

Parking

The McClures Beach Trailhead parking lot is approximately 35 minutes by car from the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There is a paved parking lot that can accommodate ~25 vehicles at the west end of a spur road heading downhill and to the west from the Tomales Point Traihead/Pierce Point Ranch parking lot. On busy weekends and holidays, the parking lot may be full by 10 am. RVs and buses will have difficulty turning around and are not recommended to be driven to Tomales Point.

Directions to Bear Valley
Directions from Bear Valley to the McClures Beach Trailhead

Point Reyes National Seashore

Last updated: April 5, 2024