Welcome to Point Reyes Lodging Announcements and Media
page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ………
December 4, 2003
It's Whales & Wildlife Season at Point Reyes Lodging
Winter Promotion Features Three Nights for the Price of Two
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ………
November 19, 2003
Point Reyes Lodging Web Site Makes it Easier to Find a Room
Gift Certificates and Cookbook are also a Click Away
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ………
July 31, 2003
The innkeepers of Point Reyes Lodging announce the release of their
new cookbook,
"A Taste of Point Reyes"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November
2, 2004
Point Reyes is Preferred Choice for Wildlife in
Winter
Point Reyes Lodging Promotion makes it a Great Time for
Humans to Visit, Too!
POINT REYES, CA — Winter is the optimum time
to view wildlife at Point Reyes. Heralded by the arrival of mature
elephant seals and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, winter also
brings the annual migration of gray whales along the coast, plus spawning
Coho salmon and steelhead trout up coastal streams.
Winter is also time for Point Reyes Lodging’s
Whales and Wildlife promotion. From December 1, 2004 through
March 31, 2005, guests can stay two nights midweek and get the third
night free at any of Point Reyes Lodging’s 15 bed and breakfast
inns and cottages. Holiday periods are excluded and advance reservations
are required. To make a Whales & Wildlife reservation,
visit www.ptreyes.com and contact
the inn or cottage of your choice. Mention Whales & Wildlife
when you make your reservation.
In addition to the special Whales & Wildlife
offer, Point Reyes Lodging innkeepers have compiled the following
list of their favorite winter wildlife viewing locations. Innkeepers
have selected places that will enhance a visitor’s wildlife experience
at Point Reyes. Don’t forget your spotting scope or binoculars!
FAVORITE WINTER WILDLIFE SPOTS
- Gray Whales — Jutting ten
miles into the Pacific Ocean, the Point Reyes Peninsula is one of
the best spots to view gray whales on their annual migration from
Alaska to Baja, California. The areas around Chimney Rock and the
Point Reyes Lighthouse in Point Reyes National Seashore offer some
of the best whale watching from land during the migration from December
through early April. Mothers and calves may be seen close to shore
anywhere along Point Reyes in late April and early May.
- Northern Elephant Seals —
These extraordinary marine mammals can measure anywhere between
9 to 16-feet long and weigh up to 5,000-pounds. Adult males are
identified by their large, trunk-like nose. The best areas in Point
Reyes National Seashore for viewing elephant seals are from the
lighthouse parking lot overlooking South Beach, down by the historic
Lifeboat Station, and a viewing area about a-mile walk from the
Chimney Rock parking lot.
- Waterfowl and Shorebirds. The
annual Christmas Bird Count through the Point Reyes Bird Observatory
typically counts some 200 species of birds on the Point Reyes Peninsula.
Best areas for viewing include — Tomales Bay, Drakes Estero,
Abbotts Lagoon, Chimney Rock, Fivebrooks Pond, and Bolinas Lagoon.
Among the shorebirds, expect to see Willet, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel,
Black or Ruddy Turnstone, Short and Long-billed Dowitcher, and Western
Sandpiper. Waterfowl found in the area include American Wigeon,
Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Northern
Pintail, Canvasback, and Mallard.
- Coho Salmon & Steelhead Trout
— Some of the best streams for viewing spawning Coho salmon
and steelhead trout are — Lagunitas Creek.
Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area, Shafter Bridge on Sir Francis Drake
Blvd. at eastern boundary of Samuel P. Taylor State Park, _ mile
west of town of Lagunitas; Devil’s Gulch. A few miles west
of the Samuel P. Taylor State Park entrance on Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard. The trail begins on the north side of the road, across
from the pullout on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Olema Creek.
Five Brooks Trailhead off Highway One, approximately 3 miles south
of the intersection of Highway One and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
in Olema. Park at the trailhead and follow the driveway back towards
Highway One. On the right side, follow the path to the creek’s
edge.
The Point Reyes Lodging Association is a collection
of 15 unique bed and breakfast inns and cottages near Point Reyes
National Seashore. Member properties are inspected and certified by
the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (CABBI), meeting
their high standards of quality. For more information about Point
Reyes Lodging, call 1-800-539-1872 or visit www.ptreyes.com,
and remember to enter the drawing for a free night’s stay at
a participating Point Reyes Lodging property.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 19, 2004
POINT REYES — THE PLACE TO HIKE YEAR
ROUND
Top 10 Favorite Hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore
POINT REYES — A vast network of trails to choose
from, year-round accessibility, close proximity to San Francisco,
beautiful scenery, and fresh air combine to make Point Reyes National
Seashore and surrounding environs the ideal hiking destination. Point
Reyes is nationally recognized as a top hiking destination, too. The
American Hiking Society, the national voice for hikers, recently named
Point Reyes as one of the top ten most family-friendly trails in the
country.
Whether you are veteran hiking enthusiast in search
of a serious workout or a family of four simply wanting to enjoy the
outdoors, Point Reyes has a trail for you. Understanding that Point
Reyes visitors enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the healthy benefits
of hiking, Point Reyes Lodging innkeepers have combined their collective
years of knowledge and experience in the area and created a "Top
10" list of their favorite hikes. The following list of favorite
hiking trails is a natural extension of the innkeepers’ desire
for providing personal attention to guests and sharing their knowledge
of Point Reyes.
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Photos by Brett Poirier
Click on images for larger view
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TOP 10 FAVORITE
HIKES
1. ARCH ROCK VIA BEAR VALLEY. A popular trail
in Point Reyes National Seashore, it is the most direct route to the
ocean from the Bear Valley Visitor Center and an excellent trail for
beginners and children. The trail is sheltered from sun, wind and
coastal fog as it meanders through mixed Douglas fir forest and along
Bear Valley Creek. Arch Rock is an overlook point. (Distance —
8.2 miles; Time — 4 hours; Level of Difficulty — Moderate)
2. TOMALES POINT TRAIL. Open trail through
the Tule Elk Range offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega
Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It is also a prime wildlife viewing trail.
Fog and wind can limit visibility and make this hike more challenging.
Trailhead is at the end of Pierce Point Road, about 40 minutes driving
time from Bear Valley. (Distance — 9.5 miles; Time — 4 to
5 hours; Level of Difficulty — Moderate)
3. SKY — BEAR VALLEY LOOP. A varied hike
that features mixed Douglas fir forest, open grassland, coastal views,
and beach access. Climb Mt. Wittenberg Trail (1350’ elevation
gain in l.4 miles) and then continue out Sky Trail to Coast Trail.
Continue south on Coast Trail to Arch Rock. Enjoy your last coastal
view here, before returning via Bear Valley Trail, through beautiful
buckeyes and mixed Douglas fir forest and along Coast Creek. (Distance
— 10.5 miles; Time — 5 hours; Level of Difficulty —
Moderate/Strenuous)
4. COAST — LAGUNA LOOP. An easy walk
through coastal scrub and grassland offers breathtaking ocean views.
Begin on Laguna Trail, a slight climb, then descend to Coast Camp
on Fir Lane Trail (turn left on Coast Trail for beach access at Coast
Camp). Complete the loop by following Coast Trail northwest, a flat,
open stretch of trail along coastal bluffs and then through a riparian
zone, and back to the Youth Hostel. (Distance — 5 miles; Time
— 2 to 3 hours; Level of Difficulty — Easy)
5. MT. WITTENBERG AND SKY CAMP FROM LIMANTOUR
ROAD. This route provides an easy access to the highest point
on the Point Reyes Peninsula, with a 750-foot elevation gain. Climb
Sky Trail, with views of the ocean, and continue through meadows and
woods to Horse Trail. Follow Horse Trail to Z Ranch Trail, which brings
you to the trail to the summit of Mt. Wittenberg. Views from the summit
are limited due to thick regrowth of trees after the Mt. Vision Fire
in l995. Continue to the junction of Sky and Meadow Trails, and then
back through Sky Camp. Begin with l0 minute drive from Bear Valley
Visitor Center, at Sky Trailhead on Limantour Road. (Distance —
4.3 miles; Time — 3 hours; Level of Difficulty — Moderate)
6. BOLINAS RIDGE TRAIL. The best trail with
views of Olema Valley, especially on a sunny day or a night with a
full moon. Enjoy the expansive feeling of this open space. If you
choose to continue beyond the first few miles, you will enter a redwood
forest and eventually chaparral. Trail begins after a 5 minute drive
from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, above Olema on Sir Francis Drake
Highway. (Distance — 2 to 22 miles; Time — 1 to 4 hours;
Level of Difficulty — Moderate)
7. ABBOTTS LAGOON. The Abbotts Lagoon Trail,
an easy stroll through open grasslands and coastal scrub, features
a colorful display of spring wildflowers and excellent bird watching,
especially in fall and winter. Continue on to the Great Beach, an
additional .5 miles, before returning via the same trail. The trek
begins with a 25 minute drive from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
Take Bear Valley Road, left from the visitor center, turn left on
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and then right at Pierce Point Road.
Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead is clearly marked on the left. (Distance
— 3 miles; Time — 2 to 3 hours; Level of Difficulty —
Easy)
8. MT. WITTENBERG LOOP. The loop features
a steep l,300-foot climb to the highest point in the park (l,407-feet),
with panoramic views of the seashore and Olema Valley. The loop passes
through mixed Douglas fir, oak forest and several open meadows. Climb
Mt. Wittenberg Trail all the way to the top, then return to Bear Valley
via Z Ranch and Horse Trails, or via Meadow Trail. The Mt. Wittenberg
Loop begins 0.2 mi. up the Bear Valley Trail, from the end of Bear
Valley parking Lot. (Distance — 5 miles; Time — 2 to 3 hours;
Level of difficulty — Strenuous)
9. CHIMNEY ROCK TRAIL. A spectacular hike
with views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Great for spring wildflowers.
Rocky cliffs drop off steeply to the water and there is no beach access.
From December through April, look for migrating gray whales from the
point, and elephant seals from a spur trail and lookout point near
the parking lot. Fog and winds can make this hike challenging. For
tide pooling, at a minus low tide, walk down the paved road to the
right past the parking lot, past the Life Boat Station, and continue
along the rocky beach. Tide pools are inaccessible from December through
April, while elephant seals are in the area. Trail begins at the Chimney
Rock Trailhead, near the Lighthouse, a 40 minute drive from the Bear
Valley Visitor Center. (Distance — 1.6 miles; Time — 1 hour;
Level of Difficulty — Moderate)
10. LIMANTOUR SPIT — BEACH TRAIL. This
hike provides spectacular views and lots of birds. Start at Limantour
parking area and head down toward the ocean. Just after passing the
marsh area, turn right and head north along the trail in the dunes.
Look for egrets, herons, willets, and plovers especially in the winter.
At the end of the road head across the dunes to the beach, then to
left again. Option: To add to the hike, continue northwest l.8 miles
to the end of the spit, where you will find colonies of harbor seal.
Return via the same trail or along the beach. (Distance 2 - 4 miles;
Time - 2 - 3 hours; Level - Moderate)
For a FREE Point Reyes National Seashore
trail map and information about Point Reyes Lodging, visit www.ptreyes.com
and complete the e-mail order form, or call 1-800-539-1872.
The Point Reyes Lodging Association is a collection
of 16 unique bed and breakfast inns and cottages in the Point Reyes
area. All member properties are inspected and certified by the California
Association of Bed & Breakfast inns (CABBI), meeting their high
standards of quality.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 4, 2003
IT'S WHALES & WILDLIFE SEASON AT POINT REYES
LODGING
Winter Promotion Features Three Nights for the Price of Two
POINT REYES, CA The beginning of winter signals the
start of the annual gray whale migration along California‚s coast,
and it also means three nights for the price of two during Point Reyes
Lodging's Whales & Wildlife promotion.
Available at any of Point Reyes Lodging's 17 bed
and breakfast inns, cottages and suites, Whales & Wildlife
is valid Sunday through Thursday from now through March 25, 2004.
Holiday periods are excluded and advance reservations are required.
To make a Whales & Wildlife reservation,
visit Point Reyes Lodging's Web site, www.ptreyes.com,
and contact the inn, cottage or suite of your choice. Mention Whales
& Wildlife when you make your reservation. Online visitors
can also check availability, read descriptions and view images of
each property and see what amenities are offered. With 100 rooms to
choose from, Point Reyes Lodging is the preferred choice for accommodations
at Point Reyes during winter and throughout the year.
Some of the best vantage points on land to view
gray whales are in Point Reyes National Seashore, especially the popular
Point Reyes Lighthouse. Point Reyes is one of the rare gathering spots
for elephant seals, and winter also offers prime time viewing of other
wildlife such as harbor seals, sea lions, 400 species of birds, tule
elk, plus salmon and steelhead in area creeks. Walking, hiking, horseback
riding, bicycling and sea kayaking are just a few of the ways to experience
nature at Point Reyes.
Point Reyes Lodging offers a unique mix of comfortable
accommodations ideal for that perfect winter respite, and guests are
assured quality as member properties are inspected and certified by
the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (CABBI), meeting
their high standards of hospitality.
For more information about Point Reyes Lodging,
Whales & Wildlife gift certificates or 'A Taste of Point Reyes'
cookbook, visit www.ptreyes.com
or call 1-800-539-1872 to order a Point Reyes Lodging directory.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 19, 2003
Point Reyes Lodging Web Site Makes it Easier to
Find a Room
Gift Certificates and Cookbook are also a Click Away
POINT REYES, CA The Point Reyes Lodging Web site
www.ptreyes.com makes it easier
for visitors to get information about any of the 17 bed and breakfast
inns, cottages and suites in the association. Online visitors can
also check availability, view descriptions of each property and see
what amenities are offered. With 100 rooms in its inventory, Point
Reyes Lodging is the preferred choice for accommodations at Point
Reyes during the holidays and throughout the year.
Point Reyes Lodging provides guests the perfect
respite during the busy holiday season, and the Point Reyes experience
can be shared with family and friends through gift certificates for
overnight accommodations at member inns, cottages and suites. And
there's more. For the discriminating cooks on your shopping list,
may we suggest 'A Taste of Point Reyes' cookbook, featuring
innkeepers‚ favorite recipes, such as eggnog pumpkin bread and
Pt. Reyes wild blackberry pie.
Point Reyes Lodging is comprised of 17 bed and breakfast
inns, cottages and suites offering a unique mix of comfortable accommodations
ideal for romantic getaways, private retreats, honeymoons and weddings,
family vacations, and conferences. Guests are assured quality as Point
Reyes Lodging properties are inspected and certified by the California
Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (CABBI), meeting their high
standards of hospitality.
Area attractions and activities include Point Reyes
National Seashore, Point Reyes Lighthouse, hiking, wildlife viewing
(whales, tule elk, elephant seals, birds), bicycling, horseback riding,
sea kayaking, golf, wine tasting, cheese tasting, oyster farms, restaurants,
organic farms, specialty shops, and galleries..
For more information about Point Reyes Lodging,
gift certificates and 'A Taste of Point Reyes' cookbook, visit
www.ptreyes.com or call 1-800-539-1872
to order a Point Reyes Lodging directory.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ……… July
31, 2003
The innkeepers of Point Reyes Lodging announce the release of their
new cookbook,
"A Taste of Point Reyes"
Dear Editor:
"Point Reyes is a poem: complex, untamed, and
raw, yet elegant" ……Sunset
Magazine
The innkeepers of Point Reyes Lodging, an association
of inns and cottages at The Point Reyes National Seashore, are pleased
to announce the release of their new cookbook, "A Taste of
Point Reyes", featuring 100 recipes compiled by the 17 member
inns. This cookbook not only focuses on many tasty breakfasts served
to inn guests, but also offers the reader directions for preparing
dishes ranging from wild herb frittatas to polenta cakes, lavender
peaches to lemon curd, or Scottish shortbread to chewy date bars.
The cookbooks are available online at www.ptreyes.com
at member inns, the Point Reyes National Seashore
Headquarters, and local bookstores, and gift shops.
"A Taste of Point Reyes" opens
the door to the marvelous culinary and gastronomic adventures in the
area, which include the award winning Olema Inn, several handmade
cheese companies, an organic farmers market, oyster farms and the
Pt. Reyes Winery.
Providing overnight accommodations for visitors to
the National Seashore the Point Reyes Lodging Inns are all members,
and meet the high standards, of the statewide "California Association
of Bed and Breakfast Inns" (CABBI).
Come for the beauty (and the food) and stay for the
hospitality. The Point Reyes Lodging innkeepers invite you to experience
gracious accommodations, coupled with warm hospitality at our country
inns and cottages. Each innkeeper offers a unique blend of fine lodging,
delicious breakfast fare, and guest services that have won the esteem
of worldwide travelers. Pick up a copy of our new cookbook and truly
experience "A Taste of Point Reyes".
