FEBRUARY!

February at Point Reyes National Seashore feels like standing inside a living, breathing transition — winter not quite ready to release its grip, and spring quietly rehearsing in the wings. The air carries a clarity that only comes after the rains, when the hills glow an almost electric green and the sky seems improbably wide.

This is one of the most dynamic months along the peninsula. Storm systems still roll in from the Pacific, sculpting dramatic cloud formations that drift low over the bluffs. Between storms, sunlight pours across the grasslands, illuminating herds of tule elk grazing in Tomales Point and casting long silver reflections across the estero wetlands.

February is also peak whale migration season. From the Chimney Rock and Lighthouse overlooks, patient visitors can often spot gray whales moving south with their calves, their spouts rising like brief exclamation points on the horizon. On clear days, the ocean looks deceptively calm, but the steady wind and crashing surf remind you that this coastline remains wild and largely untamed.

The trails are quieter this time of year, lending a contemplative quality to hikes. Mud clings to boots, and the scent of wet earth mixes with coastal sage and salt air. At Abbotts Lagoon, winter rains fill the freshwater pools, drawing waterfowl and shorebirds. Elephant seals, in the midst of their breeding season, crowd the beaches at Drakes Bay, their deep, resonant calls echoing over the sand.

What makes February especially compelling is the sense of contrast: mist and sunlight, stillness and motion, rugged cliffs and delicate new wildflowers beginning to emerge. It is not the postcard summer version of Point Reyes — it is more intimate, more atmospheric, and arguably more authentic.

Photo:  Fiona Wozniak