Beautiful Labor Day @ Point Reyes

What a gorgeous Labor Day in the Bay Area! It was completely clear and sunny throughout the Bay, including the coast and Marin County. So given that David and I both had the holiday off work, we took the opportunity to head up to Point Reyes to explore, go for a hike, enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean and the beaches, and soak up some quality time in the outdoors.

We went for a challenging 5 mile hike up to Mt. Wittenberg, starting from the visitor center at Point Reyes/Bear Valley park. It was a lovely (yet strenuous) hike up through the trees to the top of the peak, about a 1,300 foot elevation climb (to the highest point in the Point Reyes National Seashore!) We then headed back to the wooded picnic area near the visitor center to enjoy a well-deserved lunch - yummy sandwiches with homemade chicken salad.

Then we drove all the way out to the tip of the Point Reyes peninsula to the lighthouse. It was a long, windy, twisty drive passing through a variety of dairy farms, with expansive, impressive views of the ocean and the cliffs. The lighthouse is no longer in operation, but is open as a visitor center and tourist attraction. We hiked another mile round trip to the lighthouse and back, including the LONG flight of concrete stairs leading down to the lighthouse on the tip of the cliff. Getting down wasn't an issue, but climbing back up the stairs (which were equivalent to a 30-story building!), was a bit challenging after our tough hike earlier in the day. But it was well worth the adventure!

Needless to say my legs are a bit sore this morning, but we had a fantastic time yesterday. I am now inspired to get out and go hiking much more often given the amazing array of options we have here in the Bay Area.