A long, narrow spit of sand, bound between Drakes Bay and an estuary, is a bountiful wildlife area. Scores of shorebirds feed in the wetlands and along the beaches during the fall. Ducks abound in winter at old, freshwater stock ponds created during the peninsula's ranching era. Harbor seals are often seen bobbing offshore in the gentle waves or basking in the sun's warmth. Mother gray whales guide their calves along the shoreline during the spring. Dogs are allowed on a 1.8-meter (6-foot) leash on the southeast end of this beach. Dogs are not permitted to the northwest as this area is protected habitat for harbor seals and the endangered snowy plover.
A great beach to visit is Limantour Beach. This is a wide sandy beach with the very soft silky sand - perfect for building sand castles. Unlike some of the beaches that require a long walk from the parking, this one is relatively close. It gets a bit more people for that reason, but because it is so huge, it never gets crowded. Once at Limantour, you can walk for miles on the sand along the coast.
Directions: From Olema, follow signs to Visitor's Center. Do not turn left at Visitor's Center but take next left on Limantour Road. Follow that road to the end
