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Photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes

Inverness, California

4.3/5
based on 14 reviews

Description

Added by Lisa Bao

The Monterey Cypress Tree Tunnel is 45 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Access to this spot is easy and it's not crowded and often secluded.

Just north of San Francisco, there's a row of giant Monterey cypress trees that forms a “tree tunnel”. Loved by Bay Area locals, it's a tucked away spot in the Point Reyes National Seashore for photographers to capture early morning sun rays, or for anyone to get some moments of solitude.

At the end of the tunnel, you'll find the historic RCA/Marconi Station. In the early 1900s, this was a wireless telegraph station where operators would tap out Morse code messages from the ships to shore. With the decline of Morse code and new technology, the station was retired in the late 1990s, and is currently preserved and cared for by the National Park Service and volunteers from the Maritime Radio Historical Society.

To find this location on a map, search for "KPH Radio Station" in Inverness and drive the green and windy roads to get to this spot. Pull into the long driveway to get to the small parking lot next to the station building. Get there early enough in the morning and you might be lucky enough to catch the sun rays from the rising sun.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Scenic
ADA Accessible

Photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes Reviews

Parking is just off the road but if you drive a little past the cypress tree tunnel road there’s a pull out. This is also the best place to turn around on sir Francis drake blvd. it’s a quick stop but the photos are cool. The couple times we’ve stopped here, there has always been another group or two. So you may have to wait to get your photos.

We only had to contend with about 10 other people when we were there. I just had my iphone and still got some pretty pictures. Didn't get anything crazy beautiful with lighting, but it was worth it and a pretty sight to see!

You will get the most out of this if you go at golden hour, probably on the morning side. Everyone else has said it, but that's also when the light will play through the trees the best.

Definitely worth visiting at sunset. I agree with all of the other reviews about visiting on weekday if at all possible. I was there on a Monday and was virtually the only person for miles around.

The Cypress Tree tunnels is impressive. The Marconi station at the end has a cool history, too.

Such a beautiful sight to see! It is hard to miss driving up since the cypress trees come out of nowhere! Unfortunately there were many cars parked right at the entrance gate in-between trees, which made photographing the trees facing away from the radio station virtually impossible. I'd definitely recommend heading here on a weekday for sunrise/ sunset to shoot if you don't want much company.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

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Abbotts Lagoon Trail

Marshall Beach Trail

Drake's Beach, Pt. Reyes

Kayak Camping in Point Reyes

Explore the S.S. Point Reyes Shipwreck