Point Reyes attracts nature lovers and free spirits
Home to a quaint downtown area and known for its sandy beaches, the tiny Pacific Coast community of Point Reyes has long attracted nature lovers and free spirits. Development is stunted here as Marin County protects much of its land to preserve water and wildlife — including tule elk and seals. "I couldn't really draw the line for you on what's private land and what's preserved. But it is true, there's no development. The amount of houses that you see [is all there is]," says Jennifer Boesel of Coldwell Banker Realty, a Realtor since 1995. "It's a community of farmers, ranchers, photographers, painters and writers. Community activists are a good portion of them." Point Reyes is named for the peninsula just west of it, and living here is a gateway to fresh organic food from local farms, the Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay.
Millerton Park is full of people on weekends in Marshall.
It's common to see people enjoying the outdoors in Point Reyes.
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Scenic spots, long hikes and a playground downtown
The Point Reyes National Seashore contains at least 20 beaches and the 30,000-acre Phillip Burton Wilderness. Many trails lead through the vast landscape along coastal brush, babbling brooks and to the top of seaside bluffs. The Tomales Point Trail traverses an area where tule elk are known to graze. The Palomarin Trailhead connects to Wildcat Beach on the way to Alamere Falls, a waterfall deep within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. Early autumn and summer are said to be the best conditions for surfing. Summer and spring are ideal times for whale-watching. "They come up from Mexico with their babies during those times and return [to Mexico] in the fall," Boesel says. One of the most scenic spots to take in the ocean is the Point Reyes Lighthouse, on the westernmost tip of the peninsula. In the center of town, there's also a traditional park with a playground for kids.
Palomarin Trailhead
Point Reyes is home to many neighborhood parks like the community playground.
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Diverse architecture that fetches a pretty penny
Homes are built on hillsides, offering views of the surrounding coast, mountains and forest. Architecture is eclectic, with the oldest Craftsman bungalows and Victorian homes tracing back to the early 19th century. Point Reyes also has coastal cottages, contemporary and traditional farmhouses, beach homes and midcentury modern ranch styles. For single-family homes, prices generally range from around $1 million to $2.9 million. However, some properties have had price tags over $5 million and under $900,000. Point Reyes also has a handful of townhouses ranging from $1.1 to $3.5 million. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.Limited housing stock makes it challenging for homebuyers seeking a way in and locals who want to stay. "It's been a very bucolic, rural existence with a very tight community [for generations]," says Theresa "Terry" Donohue, an associate broker for Bolinas Real Estate and a longtime Marin County resident. "Now, due to supply and demand and the fact that it's hard to find places like this in the world, the demand increases, and the prices have as well."
Victorian homes with pristine yards are common in Point Reyes.
Large multifamily homes are abundant in Point Reyes.
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Shopping, worshipping and dining downtown
The downtown area is Point Reyes Station, a hub for independent businesses and home to Point Reyes Community Presbyterian Church. Boesel says Bovine Bakery, known for its sweet and savory freshly baked goods, has a line out the door most weekends. The bakery is next door to a small indie bookstore and clothing store for a bit of perusing after breakfast. Locals can stock up on groceries at Palace Market or just stop in for the buffalo milk soft serve. Toby's Feed Barn is a shopping center in its own right, with a coffee shop, yoga studio and space for the local farmers market on the weekends. Station House Cafe serves fresh oysters and more farm-to-table food. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, less than 4 miles north, crafts its dairy items from the milk of its own cows.
Point Reyes is full of many different cafes like Cafe Reyes.
Toby's Feed Barn in Point Reyes has amazing outdoor seating.
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Public education through Shoreline Unified School District
The Shoreline Unified School District serves students in Point Reyes. They start at B-rated West Marin Elementary School, which covers kindergarten through eighth grade, and they progress to Tomales High School, which also scores a B from Niche and has a robust FFA program for burgeoning farmers.
Discover exceptional education and a nurturing at Tamalpais High School.
Tomales High School is located in the town of Tomales, California.
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Highway 1 has a tendency to flood
Highway 1, called Shoreline Highway, passes through the center of Point Reyes and takes travelers to San Francisco in less than 45 miles. During winter storms, the highway tends to flood, and residents are also at risk of landslides. During June, the coast is often covered in heavy fog. When care is needed, West Marin Medical Center is located within the heart of Point Reyes at Point Reyes Station.
Highway 1 runs right through Point Reyes.
Tomales Bay is just a five minute drive from Point Reyes.
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This inviting home is set in a private oasis of beautiful trees and flowers well set back from the road for quiet and privacy. Ideal for full-time living, it is a quality built home of about 1850 s.f. with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The living area has high ceilings, skylights and gets all day sun. Formal dining area plus wonderful kitchen with Viking range, laundry room adjacent. Wrap around deck
Point Reyes Station Mixed Use Gem. An historic and rare residential income property on the banks of Papermill Creek offers unique opportunities with five separate units: 3 residential and 2 commercial. Two buildings: one stand-alone studio fitting an owner-user for fulltime or part-time. Other bldg has two 1-bedroom units and a commercial space divided in two that shares a half bath. Zoned
Vintage Point Reyes Station Craftsman next to Papermill Creek is blessed with a backyard birdlife community. Elevated almost a full story, the house and wraparound deck provide theatre seating to an endless wildlife show. Picture windows along the back wall frame the scene. A large deck invites indoor outdoor living. With 7 rooms, this comfortable 2+ bedroom (tax records say 1) home features a
This gorgeous private retreat property of a modern farmhouse aesthetic was completed in 2008 and designed by Mill Valley Architect, Roland Mays. Sited on a prime, 1.5-acre mesa lot, the property is security gated at the front and rear driveways with perimeter fencing for total privacy. There are five buildings, all on one level with radiant heated stone and marble floors, vaulted ceilings,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Keith Offord,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
778
Median Age
56
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$77,778
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,313
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.1%
College Graduates
63.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
13''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
