Drake’s Beach
Drake’s beach is one of the most popular beaches at Point Reyes. It is more sheltered than Point Reyes Beach, without the wind and pounding waves. There’s a small visitor center, restrooms, and a very good cafe. Do not miss the cafe. Seriously. My wife and I have driven out here just for the food. It is all locally grown, mostly organic, and delicious. During whale watching season, this is also where you meet the shuttle bus if you want to go out to the lighthouse.
If you head left down the beach, there is a series of white cliffs which can make a nice backdrop to beach photos.
There are frequently surfers in the water here. With a zoom lens you have a chance of capturing them on a wave, although I’ve never seen particularly large waves at this spot.
Twilight can be very beautiful because the colors in the sky will reflect off the wet sand. On a clear evening, it is worth staying until well after the sun goes down.
Late in the afternoon, there’s often a beautiful atmospheric effect as the sun interacts with the the moisture-laden air. The best spot to catch this is on the road to Drake’s Beach, before it drops down the hill. If conditions are right, the sun will be shining through air which is full of mist from the wind and waves, and the whole scene will glow bright orange.
