Point Reyes Lighthouse is roughly a two hour drive from San Francisco which was our starting point for this day trip. We got off the highway as soon as possible, taking little two lane roads and back ways. It's a beautiful drive but you could say that about almost anywhere in California once you get off the interstate. 

The road out to the lighthouse is long and twisting, pieces visible in the distance as you curve over and around hills, yellow flowers waving in the pastures. We drove through fog and farms filled with black and white cows, no other word for it but picturesque. We stopped several places along the way, the landscape to ourselves, birdsong overpowering the sounds of cars fading into the distance.

I loved the foggy day, the mist rolling in from the Pacific, turning it all into softly focused nature. I've seen photos of the area when it's clear though and it's just as stunning but if you go hope for fog. It's magical. 

We got there early enough in the day that it wasn't too crowded which was great since the stairs are very narrow. Point Reyes Lighthouse is no longer used but you can walk around the buildings and get an idea of what it was like when it was. They've got a fog horn now that blasts every few seconds, deep and booming, sending it's warning out. 

Looking over my photos from this spot I realized there were a lot of photos of the stairs leading to the lighthouse. There were 308 stairs to be exact - the equivalent of 25 stories. We spent a lot of time on them and even with a few breaks along the way in designated areas it was a tough climb. But so worth it! 

We didn't get down to any of the beaches on this trip though. After the walk to and from the lighthouse we decided to head on to Muir Woods National Monument and spend some time under the giant trees. It was a lovely contrast, the cold of the Pacific and then the deep green of the woods. 

When we go back what are the must see places along the coast there? I don't want to miss any of the good spots!