Whales, Wildflowers, and Elk: Point Reyes National Seashore

There aren?t many places where you can see elk (California's largest land mammal), whales (the world's largest sea mammals), and the delicate blooms of hundreds of wildflowers all in one visit. A little luck, combined with an early spring visit to Point Reyes National Seashore, can yield all three experiences, and much more! Along California's more than 1,000 miles of coastline, the rocky headlands and outcrops that define Point Reyes National Seashore are among the state's most dramatic scenery. On one side of this fingerlike peninsula lies protected Tomales Bay; on the ocean side, ferocious Pacific waves pummel the rock-armored cliffs along miles of sandy beaches. Located in a remote corner of Marin County dotted with family farms and ranches, the area is largely undeveloped and has a timeless quality about it.