Point Reyes Station: History, Art and Bear Valley

Point Reyes Station combines local history and shops with nature and cultural experiences around Bear Valley. Point Reyes Books is housed in a historic building, Toby's Feed Barn has a long history, and the Kule Loklo Trail leads to a reconstructed Coast Miwok village. There are also trails for a range of activities, classes and seasonal market offerings. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you want to focus mainly on local history, local offerings or outdoor experiences.

Local History Between Bookshop and Commerce

Point Reyes Station was originally called Olema Station and was renamed in 1883. Another historic address is the Emporium building, which houses Point Reyes Books. Toby's Feed Barn is a family-run general store and an active feed store in the town center. The store has served the community since 1942. An art gallery adjoining Toby's Feed Barn has exhibited artists from Northern California.

Community planning also gives the town a regional context: preserving Point Reyes Station as the commercial center of rural West Marin is a stated goal. The town's name and the store's history mark different points in time: the renaming took place in 1883, and Toby's Feed Barn has served the community since 1942. Anyone interested in a place's character will find both historical connections and concrete examples of commerce and culture here.

Kule Loklo: A Coast Miwok Village

In the Bear Valley area, the Kule Loklo Trail leads from the Bear Valley Visitor Center to a reconstructed Coast Miwok village. The round-trip hike is listed as 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers). Kule Loklo is located 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) northwest of the visitor center. The two figures describe different things: the first gives the round-trip distance, while the second gives the village's location relative to the Visitor Center.

Trails and Activities in Bear Valley

The Bear Valley Trail starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead and connects to many other trails. The trailhead in Point Reyes Station is a starting point for hiking, biking and horseback riding in Point Reyes National Seashore. These activities offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, the Point Reyes National Seashore Association offers classes in birdwatching, kayaking and nature sketching. The options range from getting active on the trails to activities focused on observing nature or creative work.

When planning, you can distinguish between these offerings according to your interests: hiking, biking and horseback riding are based at the Bear Valley Trailhead; birdwatching, kayaking and nature sketching are among the Association's class topics. If you are looking for a vacation rental for your stay, this mix of activities can be a helpful starting point.

Market and Seasonal Produce

The Point Reyes Farmers Market is held seasonally at Toby's Feed Barn: 11250 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Offerings include summer produce, pasture-raised eggs, baked goods and handcrafted items. Seasonal food and crafts add to the range of local offerings. If you would like to include the market in your travel plans, check the seasonal dates in advance.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Mill Valley, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, Sausalito, Larkspur, Fairfax

For the main travel overview: Marin.