Abbotts Lagoon - 2.1 Miles Round-Trip

Abbotts Lagoon is a special place where pastoral land, coastal scrub communities and inland bodies of water meet sand dunes, beach and sea. A coastal lagoon is a brackish lake separated from the ocean by a narrow strand of beach or dune band. Abbotts Lagoon is an exceptional example comprised of two distinct, adjacent lagoon wings.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The north wing is bound and protected by acres of rolling sand dunes and dense dune vegetation; the larger south wing is more exposed and separated from the turbulent coast by only a thin strip of sand. Winter storms sometimes breach this tenuous barrier; when so, accumulating sands can eventually seal off the opening.

Shifting coastal sand dunes are stabilized by the leaves and root systems of specially adapted plants, protecting inland areas from wind and tidal surges.

The 200 acre lagoon complex is fed by two fresh water ponds that attract of waterfowl and wildlife. Western Grebes, Pied-Billed Grebes, Coots, Caspian Terns, the endangered Snowy Plover and several migratory bird species call Abbotts Lagoon home.

Look for deer, fox, coyote and quail around the lagoon. Seals and sea lions occasionally visit the beach, while seasonal whale migrations can be seen from high points over the lagoon.

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A graded path leads through open pastoral land into a coastal scrub zone on the south side of Abbotts Lagoon's north wing. Wildflowers line the trail including lupine, iris, monkey flower, poppies and thistle.

The trail crests in .85 miles (78') with views of the lagoon and sand dunes that extend to the ocean. The trail undulates down to the bridge and isthmus connecting the north and south wing (1.05 miles : 15'), where an unmarked path continues around the dune base and between the lagoon wings to Point Reyes Beach (1.65 miles : 0').

Despite its large size the south wing is still relatively concealed by coastal hills and contours; to see it, climb over the isthmus to a bluff with panoramas across the lagoon, dunes and Point Reyes Beach.