Estero de Limantour State Marine Reserve, and Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area

The Estero de Limantour SMR and Drakes Estero SMCA protect important estuarine habitat including tidal creeks, beaches, rocky shore, tidal flats, coastal marsh, sandy seafloor, and eelgrass beds. The eelgrass beds are beneficial to both humans and wildlife. Eelgrass oxygenates coastal waters and sediments, helps protect shorelines from erosion through vast networks of shallow roots, stabilizes sediments, and is highly effective in carbon sequestration. Eelgrass also provides important habitat for seabirds, waterfowl, fish, and many species of invertebrates. Dungeness crab, rockfish, and flatfish depend on eelgrass beds for vital nursery habitat.

Black brant are commonly seen in the area feeding on the eelgrass. An astounding 490 species, or 54 percent of all North American bird species, have been recorded in the Point Reyes area. Great blue herons and kingfishers can be found patrolling the shallow waters for small fish and crustaceans, brown pelicans cruise just above the water, and common murres dive beneath the surface while foraging. Along the banks of the MPAs, a large harbor seal breeding colony can be spotted resting on shore, and tule elk may occasionally be seen near the water’s edge.

For centuries, Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses. Point Reyes has a long history of human occupation that includes the Coast Miwok, whose presence on the peninsula stretches back thousands of years. The traditional Coast Miwok diet consists of several species of fish including halibut and rockfish, and invertebrates such as crabs, clams, mussels, abalone and oysters. Kule Loklo, a replica Miwok village run jointly by members of the Coast Miwok and California State Parks, is located near Point Reyes National Seashore's Bear Valley Visitor Center.

The Sir Francis Drake Expedition was the first European landing in northern California. The expedition landed on June 17, 1579 on the southern side of Point Reyes in an area now known as Drakes Estero. Originally used as a safe harbor for trading vessels, the fertile land surrounding the estero soon became home to Spanish settlement during the Missionary period. By the time Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, Point Reyes was used mainly as ranchland and dairy pasture. The area underwent several more ownership changes until 1962, when it was purchased by the National Park Service for conservation purposes. 

Drakes Bay Oyster Company, a commercial oyster farm, operated in Drakes Bay for more than 100 years. Following the closure of the oyster farm, Drakes Estero underwent extensive restoration that removed oyster racks and other debris from the area. This restoration opened space for eelgrass beds to become reestablished in the area once occupied by the oyster farm. 

An automated lighthouse was installed by the U.S. Coast Guard below the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse in 1975. There are several visitors centers throughout Point Reyes National Seashore that are open to the public and maintained by the National Park Service.

Estero de Limantour SMR and Drakes Estero SMCA are ideal locations for observing wildlife and appreciating the natural beauty of the surrounding land and seascape. Hikers have access to miles of trails to observe the MPAs and watch birds hunt along the mudflats, rest on the calm waters, and glide above the water's surface. Harbor seals may be seen resting on the sandy banks next to the estuary or swimming through the water. Kayakers will have the same opportunity to see wildlife as land-based explorers but with the added benefit of looking into the protected waters.

On calm weather days, leopard sharks and bat rays may be seen hunting for clams across the soft sediment, while crabs become visible scurrying over rocks when the tide recedes. No take is permitted in Estero de Limantour SMR, while Drakes Estero SMCA allows for recreational clamming, but no other take is permitted. Parking and bathrooms are available at the Drakes Estero Trailhead and Limantour Beach. Nearly all of Point Reyes, including Drakes Estero, is designated as a National Seashore.

Coordinates

Estero de Limantour SMR

This area consists of waters below the mean high tide line within Estero de Limantour and within Drakes Estero, southward of a line connecting the following two points:

38° 02.660' N. lat. 122° 56.900' W. long.; and
38° 02.660' N. lat. 122° 56.150' W. long.
and northward of a line connecting the following two points:
38° 01.783' N. lat. 122° 55.286' W. long.; and
38° 01.941' N. lat. 122° 56.364' W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(46)(opens in new tab)

Drakes Estero SMCA

This area includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Drakes Estero northward of a line connecting the following two points:

38° 02.660' N. lat. 122° 56.900' W. long.; and
38° 02.660' N. lat. 122° 56.150' W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(47)(opens in new tab)

Downloads for Estero de Limantour State Marine Reserve

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations