Point Reyes windswept + romantic Engagement | adventurous elopement photographer | Morgan + Tyler
Although I’ve never been to Ireland, I can’t help but imagine Point Reyes must be similar in some ways. As of writing this (January 2022) travel’s still extremely limited - but if you’re craving the sight of rolling green hills, cliff exposures that leave you breathless and maybe the sight of some really adorable cows wandering - I’ve got great news! You don’t have to head for the Irish coast, or even break out your passport. You’ll find all of this in Point Reyes, California. Situated in Marin County just a bit north of San Francisco, the National Seashore here has breathtaking views that are bound to leave you dreaming of romance + adventure. It’s no wonder this spot makes a perfect backdrop for engagement photos!
Keep reading for information about planning your visit to Point Reyes, and see my favorite photos from Morgan and Tyler’s adventurous northern California engagement shoot!
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Working with Morgan + Tyler was SO much fun. We wandered through trails overlooking the coast, waves crashing down below and not another soul in sight. After a quick outfit change, we started walking towards the (closed) famous historic lighthouse in total awe. Seriously, every inch of the National Seashore is beautiful. You can't find a bad angle here! Even with the lighthouse closed, we were able to capture some epic photos.
As the wind turned way UP and the sun came out just right - cue major romance magic!- they reminisced about their journey through the years. Since they’ve dated since high school, there have been several years! Morgan and Tyler experienced major milestones together like college, pharmacy school, and now even work together at the same hospital. When they’re not working, they volunteer fostering dogs. As if they weren’t incredible enough, they’ve made a difference in SO many dogs' lives!
Morgan and Tyler’s epic engagement shoot was just too good for only one blog post. Stay tuned for Part II from our shoot at Point Reyes National Seashore!
See photos from their wedding ceremony beneath the Redwood trees here!
One of the factors that made this session so fun - and y’all I really hope to see more of it - was the timing.
When you hear, “engagement shoot,” maybe you think it has to take place at a certain time, months and months ahead of your wedding. Sometimes even years! On our consultation call, Morgan told me how despite she and Tyler having been together for so many years, they didn’t really have a lot of photos together.
As excited as she was to have tons of memories from her elopement — was there any way to get some less dressy photos, too?
Since they’d be driving to northern California from their home in Arizona, it wasn’t really feasible to take photos way ahead of time. Especially in the ‘Rona times, and especially if it meant trying to request additional time off work from their demanding schedules, and especially if it meant having to leave their pups behind! Since the two of them much prefer the look and feel of northern California compared to the Arizona desert, we made plans to do an engagement shoot the day before!
This let us really capitalize on a few different things!
First: Morgan was still able to do a hair and makeup trial with her stylist, Lisa, who I had heard highly of and recommended.
Second, it meant we were able to get tons of photos in less dressy clothes, too (we ended up using three outfits at their engagement session!).
Third, WAY more variety than wedding photos alone! While wedding photos are absolutely gorgeous, they can occasionally feel limiting. When you go to hang photos in your home, save a new lock screen on your phone, or find a silly photo of your partner that makes you laugh, it’s easier to choose just the right photo when you have more options!
Fourth, one of the biggest bonuses was that taking these engagement photos the day before gave us a chance to get to know each other better and they felt more at ease heading into their wedding day. The engagement shoot gave us plenty of time to warm up + for them to have an idea of what to expect working together! This is always a huge perk of an engagement shoot, but this was the first time I’d done it less than 24 hours before the wedding and I LOVED it. I may be biased, but I would love for all my couples to do this. We can absolutely have the traditionally timed, months-ahead engagement photos for you to show off your love for each other (and you know, that new bliiinnngggg!) too - there’s no rule that says you can’t have more than one session!
And finally - they drove ALL the way from Arizona for this trip. Taking photos in a different location than their elopement let us really document not just their elopement - but this adventure together. So for all of these reasons and more — more than one blog post was necessary!
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planning a visit to
point reyes, california
In this next section, I outline important information like where Point Reyes is located, how to get there, when to visit, and what to do while you’re exploring the area. Most importantly: where to eat and where to stay near Point Reyes National Seashore!
Where is Point Reyes?
Located about 40 miles from San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore is situated along the Northern California coast.
How to get there:
1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Fly into either San Francisco or Oakland International if you’re coming from out of state (or drive, like they did!). Head north on the U.S. 101 and exit at 450B toward San Anselmo, then merge onto Sir Frances Drake Blvd for about 20 miles.This will take you almost all the way there! Which is kind of lucky because if you’re like me, you will lose cell service.
At the three-way intersection, turn right at CA-1 N (this section is called Shoreline Hwy.) and then take a left onto Bear Valley Rd.
Go about a mile and you’ll get to the Bear Valley Visitor Center on your right. It’s a large barn-shaped building in a forest green color.
From the visitor center, you can pick up a current map of the National Seashore with information on picnic areas, trails, and dog-friendly areas. Ask a Park Interpreter if there’s any information you need to know that may impact your visit, like trail or road closures, or high tide.
Point Reyes Weather:
It’s super cold in the winter months (December-February) so if you visit then, plan to layer up! Temps hover around 40 degrees and it’s wet and rainy.
June, July, and September are the nicest months typically with highs around 80 degrees.
Heads up though: no matter what time of year, the weather can change on a dime so be prepared!
When to Visit Point Reyes:
Visiting in the middle of summer was great! This session took place on a beautiful day in June. This is when the weather is nicest, but it’s also the busiest time of the year so aim for a weekday!
Where to Eat in Point Reyes:
Just outside the National Seashore, I grabbed coffee at Due West, which is part of the Olema Inn family, and fresh berries from a stall on the side of the road! With a community-wide focus on sustainable agriculture, you’re sure to find something delicious to eat in Point Reyes Station. Although it’s a small town there are plenty of great restaurant options nearby, like Side Street Kitchen, Cafe Reyes, and Tap Room. For something more casual, grab super yummy baked goods and fresh coffee at Bovine Bakery, stroll Cowgirl Creamery for creamy cheeses like Mt. Tam and fresh sourdough bread.
The closest big city to Point Reyes is San Francisco, so you’ll find a wide selection of familiar favorites there. If you’re willing to check out hidden treasures along the way, look at Ristorante La Toscana in San Rafael. For a light lunch on-the-go, pop into Inverness Market. I had their tamales (YUM) but they also had fresh deli sandwiches and grocery basics.
Things to Do in Point Reyes:
Besides hiking and sightseeing at the National Seashore, Point Reyes is a quiet and scenic place perfect for a low-key getaway. Point Reyes Station is a small town just outside the bounds of the National Seashore with a slow-living, easygoing homegrown appeal. Plan to visit Toby’s Feed Barn on Main Street Saturday mornings in the summer and fall to experience Point Reyes Farmers Market, with fresh produce, live music, and chef demos. If wildlife watching is an interest, you’ll have plenty of chances to see elephant seals or whale watching – but keep your eyes peeled and you may just see elk, bobcats, and coyotes too! For wine lovers, check out a local favorite in Point Reyes Vineyards - or for more serious wine drinkers, head east about an hour to spend an afternoon in Napa’s famed wine country.
Dog-Friendly Hotels and Lodging in Point Reyes:
There are a few independent bed-and-breakfasts in the area, like Olema House, which was voted #1 in the USA in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards! Bonus points: this boutique hotel is dog-friendly! If you’d prefer renting a whole space to yourselves there are Airbnbs but act fast: there aren’t a ton of options. As an alternative, stay in San Rafael - Four Points by Sheraton was an exceptionally clean hotel with a luxurious feel without an obnoxiously high price tag. I loved sitting by the outdoor pool with my morning coffee! And of course an extra perk: pets are allowed (for an added fee).
More Inspiration and Planning Tips for adventurous engagement shoots and elopements:
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