(800) 814-2665 Questions? Call Us Now!

Point Reyes National Seashore Self Guided Driving Audio Tour

10 Reviews 3.80 out of 5 stars Based on 10 reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and TripAdvisor | San Francisco, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Experience the breathtaking majesty of northern California with this self-guided driving tour of Point Reyes National Seashore. Discover fascinating maritime history at the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the Point Reyes Lifesaving Station, then turn back the clock even further and hear true tales of the famed privateer Sir Francis Drake, who landed on these shores hundreds of years ago! Plus, take a detour up to Tomales Point for even more unforgettable ocean views!

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

What's Included

  • Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
  • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
  • Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
  • Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
See 7 moreSee 6 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Lighthouse Visitor Center
27000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Inverness, CA 94937, USA

This tour will end at the Lighthouse Visitor Center.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Bear Valley Visitor Center (pass by)

Welcome to Point Reyes National Seashore! This National Park has miles of unbelievable beach vistas, incredible stories of those who lived here, and of course… that famous Point Reyes Lighthouse way down at the tip of it all. Let’s get started!Note: The tour is over 21 miles long, with more than 53 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Read more

Tomales Point

Just ahead, we’ll have the option to detour to the remote and windswept beaches of Tomales Point, one of the most popular destinations on the peninsula. The detour takes 45 minutes round trip. You’ll also want to budget a little time for walking around and taking photos
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Drakes Estero

The Drakes Estero is coming up soon. If you’re wondering what an Estero is -- don’t worry. It’s just a fancy term for a marshy inlet. If you’d like to walk a 2.5 mile round-trip trail through the estero, there’s a trailhead just ahead. I’ll point it out. In a minute, you’ll cross coastal grasslands and enjoy a scenic footbridge stretching over the bay.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Drakes Estero Trailhead

If you’d like to hike the Drakes Estero Trail, turn left. Otherwise, continue driving.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cypress Tree Tunnel

Check out all of those cyprus trees ahead! That’s our next stop. The trees form a sort of tunnel. Where does it go? To the historic KPH Radio station! Uhh.. random, right? In the early 1900s, Morse code radio stations went up all up and down the United States coast. The Radio Corporation of America, or RCA, figured out where these stations should be to properly and efficiently communicate with ships at sea. One of the spots RCA chose was right here at Point Reyes! In 1929, they built the station, but they wanted to do justice to the beautiful landscape surrounding it. So they planted rows of cypress trees leading up to the new station.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Point Reyes Beach

Coming up soon is Point Reyes Beach, boasting 11 miles of sand and fabulous ocean views. To make it even better, people often report gray whale sightings from this beach in the winter and spring!
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Drakes Beach

Coming up soon is Drakes Beach. It’s a popular beach amongst visitors here because it faces Drakes Bay. That means the winds aren’t as strong and the waves aren’t as intense as on the ocean-facing side. The beach boasts some white sandstone cliffs as a backdrop too.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chimney Rock Trail Head

To take a quick detour to the lifesaving station, see an overlook for elephant seals, and hike to Chimney Rock for ocean views, turn left at the fork.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station

The first life-saving station in Point Reyes sat on a plot of ranch land very close to the point at the end of this peninsula. It began operations in 1878. The station leader was called the “keeper”; the staff were called “surfmen.” They’d patrol the beaches looking for wrecks and listening for voices through the fog. And the system worked! That first station saved people from 14 major shipwrecks over the 37 years it was there.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Elephant Seal Overlook

Hundreds of thousands of northern elephant seals used to call the Pacific Ocean home. But then European settlers discovered they could use the seal blubber for oil. And by 1892, only around 75 individual seals were left up and down the entire coast of North America. Down from hundreds of thousands! Mexico and the US Government federally protected them in the 1920s, and thank goodness: the elephant seal population slowly boomed once again! In 1981, the first breeding pair was back at Point Reyes. And now, there are somewhere around 200,000 northern elephant seals along the Pacific Coast of the US and Mexico.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sea Lion Overlook

Coming up in just a moment will be Sea Lion Overlook. Here, 54 steps lead down to a coastal view you won’t soon forget… because it’s usually overflowing with sea lions! But how do we tell seals and sea lions apart? To identify one, check for ear flaps and folded-in back flippers. Sea lions use these back flippers to shuffle upright when trying to move on land. Males are about 8 feet long and females about 6 feet. Breeding season for sea lions is between May and August. During this time, the sea lions stay on the beach for as long as possible, defending their territory. This requires them to fast, and use their accumulated blubber to sustain them for months. They vie for females through calls, barks, and territorial fights with other males. For the rest of the year, sea lions roam the ocean, feeding. Females have a 12-month gestation period, usually giving birth in June or July
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

South Beach Overlook

We’re coming up on the parking lot to see the South Beach Overlook and the Point Reyes Lighthouse. This is the only parking lot for the lighthouse, so I’d recommend parking once we get there. You can park on the street too, if the lot is full, but street parking near the lighthouse gets a little congested, especially if you’re here on a weekend.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Leaning Tree

Pretty soon, we’ll see a little tunnel of cypress trees not unlike the cypress tunnel by the radio station we saw earlier. They’re easy to spot because, as you may have noticed, there are very few trees here! If you cross under the tunnel of trees that bends toward the side of the hill and just beyond, you’ll see what people call the Leaning Tree. It’s a cypress that leans over the path, but doesn’t seem to ever fall.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 12 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
  • More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Point Reyes National Seashore Self Guided Driving Audio Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-259648P51

Traveler Photos

Reviews

3.80
10 reviews

Average 3.80 out of 5 stars based on 10 traveler reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
5
4 stars
2
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
2

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

8-Hour, Private Limo Wine Tour to Napa from San Francisco

We specialize in Napa Valley Wine Country Tours and our knowledgeable staff and professional chauffeurs help make every single trip one you will never forget....

8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
8 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
8 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (13)
from
$1,599
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Choose between a day tour or a special night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour includes a narrated cruise at sunset, cell door demonstrations, and...

2 to 4 hours
2 to 4 hours
2 to 4 hours
4.4 (832)
from
$139
San Francisco: Shared Deluxe Bus sightseeing Tour with guide
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Join a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's city sightseeing Locations and landmarks explore places like Pier 35, the Palace of Fine Arts and Union...

8 hoursFree Cancellation
8 hoursFree Cancellation
8 hours • Free Cancellation
3.5 (2)
from
$35
Golden Gate Park Twilight Wildlife Walking Tour

This is the only tour that focuses on not just the history, but the native wildlife of Golden Gate Park. A perfect tour for new...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (9)
from
$45

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Tour

See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.3 (4,044)
from
$56.10
San Francisco Bay Sunset & City Lights Cruise

Experience the magic of San Francisco after dark with our California Sunset Cruise, a perfect evening escape. As the sun sets, the city comes to...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.6 (1,964)
from
$58
North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor

Definitely one for the food lovers, the Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tour is a glimpse into the blend of culture and cuisine of...

3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
4.8 (1,151)
from
$86
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

One hour scenic voyage - Ferry between Pier 43.5 and Fisherman’s Wharf while transiting along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate and...

1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hourFree Cancellation
1 hour • Free Cancellation
4.8 (1,611)
from
$39

What's Included

Activity name

  • Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
  • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
  • Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
  • Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
  • Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
  • One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
  • Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
  • Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
  • Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
  • Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
  • Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
  • Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
  • At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
  • Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
  • Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
  • More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
  • Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
  • Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
  • Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PDT).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool San Francisco wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool San Francisco over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.