The Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes National Seashore

You’ve already seen the Cypress Tree Tunnel, even if you haven’t. It drifts past on your feed, framed in soft light, captioned with hearts and hashtags — a tunnel not just of trees, but of longing. It’s what we look for when we need proof that the world still knows how to be quiet, symmetrical, breathtaking.

It’s a corridor of light and shadow where the trees lean inward like old conspirators, their branches brushing secrets across the sky. The air hangs heavy with salt and silence, and for a moment, time forgets to move forward.

It’s become the altar for love stories barely begun — the place where couples pose with rehearsed spontaneity, hoping the trees will bless their future the way they blessed the last thousand photos. And still, somehow, when you’re there, the hush is real. The romance holds.

People come here to mark things — the beginning of a love, the hope of a future. They stand beneath the tangled canopy, camera in hand, trying to capture what it feels like to believe in something beautiful.

Cypress Tree Tunnel: The Details

Known for: Cypress Trees that create a tunnel-like atmosphere (+wedding and engagement photo shoots)

Location: Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California. It’s about 45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Address: 17400 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, in Point Reyes National Seashore.

How to get there: ead to Point Reyes National Seashore’s North District Operations Center. Look for signs for “North District Operations Center” on the road out to the lighthouse in Point Reyes National Seashore; turn when you see the sign. The trees are straight ahead. The Tree Tunnel is halfway between the lighthouse and the Visitor’s Center.

Parking: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. You can park on the shoulder but pull over to avoid blocking traffic

Closest Facilities: The nearest restroom facilities are located at the Estero Trailhead and at North Beach

Distance: 0.7-mile out-and-back walk.

Cypress Tree Tunnel Best Time to Visit: The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS

Cypress Tree Tunnel Photos

The Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Cypress Tree Tunnel Point Reyes

Walking through the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes feels like stepping into another world altogether.

This is a destination in California that lives up to the hype.

Cypress Tree Tunnel Best Time to Visit

When you go, there will probably be a lot of people visiting the Tree Tunnel, which can prohibit getting a photo without people in the shot.

I suggest going on a cloudy day or early in the morning when the chances of many people milling about are slimmer.

The best time to capture a stunning image is sunset and sunrise when you can catch the light through the tunnel.

Cypress trees cast long, dark shawdows on the road.

The winding path veiled by majestic arching trees draws you in as you approach; the branches of the giant Cypresses form a natural canopy overhead.

As sunlight filters through the dense foliage, ethereal patterns are cast on the ground below; it’s stunning to see in person.

History of the Cypress Tree Tunnel

The Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes, located in the Point Reyes National Seashore in California, holds a history rooted in the early 20th century.

The tunnel was formed by Monterey cypress trees (Cupressus macrocarpa) planted in the mid-20th century by a local landowner.

The Cypress Tree Tunnel in Pont Reyes National Seashore, California.

Initially, the area was part of a ranch owned by the RCA Corporation (Radio Corporation of America).

It’s believed that the trees were planted in the 1930s as part of an ornamental tree planting project to serve as a windbreak, protecting the ranch’s road from the strong coastal winds.

Over time, these cypress trees grew and naturally formed the tunnel-like structure we see today. Their branches reached out and intertwined, creating a captivating and picturesque passage that has become a popular attraction for visitors and photographers alike.

A white Art Deco house — The white Art-Deco House at the end of the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Inverness, California

Point Reyes Cypress Tree Tunnel: FAQs

Can you drive through the Cypress Tree Tunnel?

Yes, you can drive through the Cypress Tree Tunnel to the small lot at the end of the trees. You may not park inside the tunnel of trees. Park along the main road and walk in.

How long is the Cypress Tree tunnel?

The Cypress Tree Tunnel is a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail. It’s an easy trail and takes all of 15 minutes to walk.

What’s at the end of the Cypress Tunnel?

At the end of the Cypress Tree Tunnel is a white Art Deco-style station, which was built between 1929 and 1931. For most of the 20th century, it provided ship-to-shore communications.

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