Palomarin Hike to Alamere Falls

The trip to Alamere Falls offers stunning coastal views of Point Reyes National Seashore and a wonderfully unique waterfall. The landscape is varied with coastal scrub pine and oak forests, and there are several lakes along the way. Alamere Falls pours from a rocky cliff onto a long, wide stretch of beach, and it is the perfect place to enjoy a lunch break or an afternoon stroll in the sand.

The hike begins at the Palomarin Trailhead, about 5 miles north of the town of Bolinas. The coastal trail heads north through a small eucalyptus forest before it opens to reveal expansive coastal views. Next the trail turns inland and heads uphill, entering a forest of tall fir trees and ferns that gradually becomes drier with more oak. Along the way you’ll pass a series of lakes, including Bass Lake and Pelican Lake.

Just after Pelican Lake there is a cutoff for Alamere Falls, DO NOT take this cutoff trail. It is dangerous and off limites according to the National Park Service. Continue to the right on the Coast Trail where you will eventually come to another fork with the Ocean Lake Loop Trail. Either trail will take you to the Wildcat Beach and Campground. 

 From the Wildcat Beach/Campground you can follow the beach to Alamere Falls. This is the only legal way to get to the falls. 

To get back to the parking lot, retrace your footsteps.