Leaving Half Moon Bay Tues.(7/24) 6:00AM, driving to Pt Reyes for the day, before returning to SF (Union Sq to drop off rental car before 7:00). What's the best route & stops in the park to maximize my alotted time for this day trip? How long to get to Pt Reyes from HMB (AM traffic)? How long to get from Pt Reyes to Union Sq (PM traffic)?

Pt. Reyes NS HQ is probably a 2 hour drive from Half Moon Bay? Just follow Hwy 1 north to Olema and then turn left for the Visitor Center. At the visitor center are a couple of short walks that show off some of the history of the area.

The lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays so the best places to go after the Visitor Center are probably Tomales Point, Drake's Beach, or Limantour Beach. I'd go to Tomales Point first and check out the old dairy, see the elk, and hike down to McClure's Beach.

Then go to Drake's Beach and walk along one of the most scenic beaches in Northern California. Limantour is another great beach but it's on a different road that takes a while to drive out to. It's essentialy the same beach as Drake's but is separated by an estero.

Unfortunately, the cafe at Drake's Beach is also closed on Tuesdays as well as the Visitor Center there, so either bring a picnic or go back to Inverness or Olema for lunch.

Heading back to SF, at Bolinas you can take a road to the left up to the ridge in Mt. Tamapais State Park that has awesome views of the coastline and the Bay Area and then work your way down to Mill Valley for the return to SF. Only do this if you have some extra time because it will add 30 - 45 minutes to your trip.

Hope you have a great day and maybe it won't be too foggy that day. Bring sweaters.

Supercilious outlines the perfect, if ambitious, day in Point Reyes. Drake's Beach is a favorite of mine both for the scenery and the history. If the weather is clear, the view from the ridgetop road on the way to McClure's Beach gives you the best understanding of the topography of the Pt. Reyes area.

Re the road he refers to up Mt. Tam - it's actually a fire road, so it's very narrow and twisty and up a pretty steep grade - I concur it's not for those in a hurry! I drove it about three weeks ago on a weekday, did not see a single other vehicle, which was fortunate on this one-lane road. It will deposit you out on the most scenic high ridge on Mt. Tam (if no fog) and a grand ride down to the bottom.

Any special tips for a similar one day trip on a June Saturday? Coming up to Pt. Reyes from SF city area.

You have more options on a Saturday than a Tuesday since the lighthouse will be open. Weather can be iffy in June. Have a plan B if it's real foggy and the forecast is dismal. Often, if the Ocean is socked in, you might be able to take one of the hikes on Tomales Bay and find sunnier conditions. It's best to check in at the Vistior Center early on the day you visit.

By the way pocohontas, maybe you should come up on a Sunday and join a ranger hike to Kule Loklo at 2 pm if you are interested in the Native American culture of the area.

http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...erprograms.htm

Ranger hikes and talks are usually top-notch. In our case, we have a family picnic to attend Sunday in the valley.