Inverness, California
 

In beginning of October will be traveling to Inverness, California and staying at a B&B. I have no idea what to expect....on a whim decided to travel to Pt.Reyes sea shore. Is this a good spot? Any information about this area would be most helpful...looks beautiful!!

First, you should click on the ! mark in the triangle and ask the editors to tag your post California, not New York.

Second, you have picked a really good place to stay. We stayed in Pt. Reyes Station when we visited the area, but would have chosen Inverness had we known. It's tiny but a great location to visit the many different parts of the seashore.

Definitely don't miss seeing the lighthouse and the Chimney Rock area. Stop off at Bear Valley Visitor's Center for info and a map of the area.

I was amazed at how large the seashore is and how natural and rugged. Also, there are dairy farms and lots of cows enjoying the beautiful views. Very special area.

The only restaurant we visited was Osteria Stellina. We enjoyed it very much. Oh, we did also have oyster at the Marshall Store on Tomales Bay. It was a beautiful day and we ate a dozen oysters outside. They were so tasty, but oh so expensive! Worth it.

I appreciate your reply...very helpful...I feel better in our decision to visit Inverness on our way down from Napa. Thank you.

Point Reyes is one of my favorite places I've ever been to...it's beautiful. If you are fit enough (I was at one time, now not so much) take the walk out to the lighthouse...the view is spectacular.

If you do go to the Marshall Store, get the barbecued oysters - their barbecue sauce is so good I bought a couple of jars to take home and used it on chicken! (also rather pricey :-) )

If you like unspoiled coastline and don't mind a little fog, you will love Pt. Reyes. This being said, October is probably the sunniest month for northern California.
Here are a couple of links:
http://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot...=Point%20Reyes

I agree with the above poster that you should visit the lighthouse and Chimney Rock, though Chimney Rock is more interesting from December to March when the elephant seals breed on the beach below. On the way to (or from) the lighthouse, you can take a drive down to Drake's Bay (explorer Sir Francis Drake is believed to have landed here). One of the park's three visitor centers is here: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...torcenters.htm
Drake's Bay is a nice place for viewing the sunset. I also like North Beach for sunsets, though it can be windy.

My favorite trail is the Tomales Point Trail. It takes you through the Tule Elk Reserve. On a clear day, from this ridge top trail you can see Tomales Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other--also lots of elk.
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/tomalespt.html
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...ng_tuleelk.htm

The Estero Trail is also lovely, and takes you through the woods before you reach the wetlands. Abbott's Lagoon is good for viewing birds. These are both easy walks. Not many other people about.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...wing_birds.htm

The Coast Trail is a favorite of my husband as it is nearly always sunny. It ends up at the beach (which isn't always sunny). It is a bit of a workout, but only takes about 40 minutes to get from the trailhead to the beach.

The Bear Valley Trail starts at the Bear Valley Visitor Center and is probably the most popular in the park. It passes through fields and forests, and meanders along a stream at times.

Of course, you don't have to hike to enjoy the park. You can rent mountain bikes or go horseback riding, or just sit on a beach.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...activities.htm

In Inverness, you can rent a kayak to explore Tomales Bay. http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/kayak.htm
Heart's Desire is a small beach on Tomales Bay. It is sheltered from the wind and gets crowded on the weekends.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=470

If you enjoy wildlife viewing, October is great for whale watching at the Farallone Islands. You can catch a whale watch trip out of San Francisco.
http://www.oceanic-society.org/whale...rallon-islands
http://www.farallones.org/
https://www.sfbaywhalewatching.com/farallones.php

The rangers at the visitor center at Pt. Reyes National Seashore are extremely helpful in planning your activities there. Start your day there.

Yes, Pt Reyes is wonderful.

Somewhere near Inverness we once visited a very interesting oyster 'farm'. Family owned and operated, they are very proud of their eco-friendly operation, but have been threatened with removal by wildlife geoups, believe it or not. Great fresh oysters for sale.

I can get its name if you want. My sister has a place in Inverness.

Also ate at a very interesting restaurant which is a hot dog stand during the day, and serves an elegant meal at night. It's right on the beach. My sis took me there for my bday. Can also get that name, if you want.

Drake's Bay Oyster Co. is in Pt. Reyes National Seashore, and very close to the Estero Trail. Normally, this is a great place to stop for live oysters, or oysters on the half-shell, or a jar of freshly shucked oysters. You just pay for your oysters at the counter and take them home or just sit outside at a kind of park bench and eat them there next to the small parking area, while looking out at the oyster beds.

But early this month several people might have become ill from eating their oysters. The state issued a warning against eating their oysters and the oyster farm voluntarily recalled their product.
If you would like more info. or an update:
http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci...rs-from-drakes
http://www.drakesbayoyster.com/

If you are keen to visit another oyster farm, there are a few more not too far way in the town of Marshall (outside of Pt. Reyes).
http://tomalesbayoysters.com/
http://hogislandoysters.com/farm/location

Wow, I am sorry to hear the Drake's Bay oyster farm had problems this year. They are so conscientious about how they raise the oysters. That's sad. Since they have been hassled about moving out, you gotta wonder about what really happened.

Here is their website
http://www.drakesbayoyster.com/

The restaurant was at Drakes Beach in the Pt. Reyes National Seashore - Drakes Beach Cafe. The dinners don't seem to be happening regularly any more.
Here is a link to the cafe
http://drakescafe.com/ and another to an article in Sunset magazine about it http://www.sunset.com/travel/outdoor...518/page2.html .

Don't worry, I don't think anyone is out to sabotage Drake's Bay Oyster Co. I think they have a lot of supporters and thus will be around for a while yet.

According to the CDC, the bacterium responsible for the Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes about 4500 infections a year in the United States alone, most linked to eating raw shellfish during the warm summer months.
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/...eases/vibriop/
So this sometimes happens. The oyster farm is probably already up and running again, or will be soon.