Point Reyes National Seashore changes with the seasons, and late fall offers three wildlife shows in one trip.
Tule elk
August through October is rut season on Tomales Point, when bull elk bugle and round up harems, according to the National Park Service. The best place to see elk is Tomales Point, though they also show up along Drakes Beach Road and west of Limantour Road. The herd was reintroduced in 1978 with two bulls and eight cows, and the reserve was expanded to 2,900 acres in 2019.
Whales
NPS says humpback, blue and fin whales are seen in summer and fall, while gray whales migrate past in winter and spring. The best vantage points are high spots far out on the peninsula: the Point Reyes Lighthouse, the end of the Chimney Rock Trail and the Tomales Point Trail.
Elephant seals
The largest numbers haul out from December through March for birthing and mating. Watch from the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock or the South Beach Overlook. NPS closes the road from the Chimney Rock gate to the Fish Dock area from Dec. 15 through March 31 to protect nursing pups.
Before you go
NPS says Drakes Beach is closed until further notice, with limited road and parking lot hours. Check the park's alerts page before heading out.