California is a wonderland of trees with some of the tallest and largest trees in the world.
I gazed in awe when I saw the Coast Redwoods, Giant Sequoias, and Monterey cypress trees for the first time, and they never cease to amaze me even now.
Walking among the most ancient of ancient trees in the world in California has an unparalleled charm and made me fall in love with trees – the majestic hearts beating for centuries.
I love exploring and framing the iconic and super scenic Monterey cypress trees and tunnels near San Francisco with my camera on weekends and can’t wait to share them with you all.
As we step into 2026, many of these iconic trees—especially the ones at Point Reyes—are celebrating nearly a century of standing tall against the Pacific winds. They aren’t just photo ops; they are living historical milestones of the California coast.
Map of Super scenic Cypress Trees and Tunnels near San Francisco
I love exploring and framing the super scenic and iconic Monterey cypress trees and tunnels near San Francisco with my camera on weekends and can't wait to share them with you all. #VisitCalifornia #Nature Share on X1. Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes National Seashore
Things trees know – Stand tall. But bend when you need to.
Douglas Wood
If you live in or around San Francisco or visiting the city, don’t miss walking under the famous Cypress tree tunnel in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
While walking under this canopy, I felt the tangled branches are akin to flowing veins in our body.
An hour and 30-minute drive from San Francisco to the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes National Seashore is totally worth the effort.
After walking through the canopy which leads to the Historic KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station, set forth to explore the pristine wilderness of Point Reyes.
💡 Pro-Tip for 2026: If you are visiting in July, check the NPS website, for the annual “Night of Nights.” The historic KPH Radio Receiving Station (at the end of the tunnel) occasionally opens for special tours where they broadcast maritime radio signals just like they did in the 1930s.
Explore Point Reyes Lighthouse and the Light House visitor center. If you are a beach lover like me, visit one of the many scenic beaches in the area.
My personal favorite is Drakes Beach – the expansive sand beach dotted with white sandstone cliffs and large crashing waves.
READ: 50 Top Things To Do in Point Reyes, California
Walking among the most ancient of the ancient trees in the world, in California has an unparalleled charm and made me fall in love with trees – the majestic hearts beating for centuries. #California #Nature Share on X2. Leaning Cypress in Point Reyes National Seashore – A testament to nature’s strength
Things trees know – Sometimes all there is to do is endure.
DOUGLAS WOOD
The Leaning Cypress in Point Reyes National Seashore isn’t as famous as the Cypress Tree Tunnel, but it’s no less awe-inspiring!
As I wandered near this unique tree, its distinctive tilt against the backdrop of Point Reyes’ raw beauty struck me profoundly!
Imagine a solitary Cypress tree, bent by the relentless winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, defying gravity with its resilience.
This area, rich in scenic wonders and natural landscapes, invites explorers to not only marvel at this singular Cypress but also to immerse themselves in the vast wilderness of Point Reyes.
From the rugged coastlines to the serene trails, every step is a discovery, with the Leaning Cypress serving as a poignant reminder of nature’s enduring strength and grace.
Read More: Best Trails in Muir Woods National Monument: A Guide
3. The Lone Cypress
A tree says: A kernel is hidden in me, a spark, a thought, I am life from eternal life.
Hermann Hesse
The solemn Lone Cypress on 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach stands alone on the wave-lashed granite perch amidst the soaring winds and is often swaddled in fog.
No wonder, it is one of the most photographed trees in North America. This native 250-year-old beautiful tree against the backdrop of the endless blue Pacific ocean is a must-see.
After savoring the sight to your heart’s content, head towards Crocker Grove – the native Monterey cypress forest and another famous sightseeing stop along 17-Mile Drive.
Visitor Note for 2026: The gate fee is now $12.25 per vehicle, but you can still get this fee reimbursed if you spend $35 or more at local restaurants like The Tap Room or Stillwater Bar & Grill.
Read More: 40 Top things to do in Carmel, California – The Ultimate Bucket List
4. Crocker Grove – A native Monterey Cypress forest
Things trees know – Sun, storm, drought: Let these sculptors do their work.
DOUGLAS WOOD
Crocker Grove in Del Monte Forest in Monterey is home to the largest and oldest Monterey Cypress trees in existence. In this grove are the oldest Monterey Cypress specimens – some nearly 300 years old.
These trees occur naturally only here and at Point Lobos south of Carmel; all others have been planted. Sculpted by the wind, these hardy trees stand gnarled.
- Navigation: Crocker Grove is officially Stop #11 on the 17-Mile Drive map, making it an easy landmark to find as you navigate the coast.
- Legacy: This site remains the largest and oldest native Monterey Cypress forest in existence. Some of the gnarled giants you see here have been standing for nearly 300 years.
After spending time in this beautiful Grove, take a short walk to the Cypress Point Lookout and witness a stunning sunset.
Read More: 50 Top things to do in Monterey, California – The Ultimate Bucket List
5. Cypress Grove Trail in Point Lobos
Things trees know – It’s simple: If you are living, you’re growing. If you’re growing, you’re living.
DOUGLAS WOOD
When I hiked along the Cypress Grove Trail in Point Lobos, I was thrilled to realize that I was actually hiking amidst a rare Monterey Cypress Grove, one of the only two naturally growing groves of such trees remaining on earth.
Moreover, beautiful wildflowers, the sound of waves and birds, the refreshing breeze, and spectacular ocean views made me feel that I came to a natural sanctuary.
If you are in the mood to go hiking on a super-scenic trail, then this is the place to be.
Read More: 52 Top Things to Do in Big Sur, California – A Guide
6. Seal Cove Cypress Tree Tunnel in Moss Beach
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.
Herman Hesse
Seal Cove Cypress Tree Tunnel in Moss Beach is a hidden gem. During the pandemic, I often visited here and heaved a sigh of relief.
It was a beautiful escape from the monotony of quarantined life. A magical canopy of cypress trees here creates a 1/2 mile-long tunnel on one side with beautiful ocean views on the other side.
When I laid my eyes on the coast far into the distance, I saw a herd of seals happily sunbathing on the beach.
This place is a short 30 mins drive from San Francisco and offers a break from the humdrum of city life. Officially, this is part of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
I loved walking on both sides of the cypress trees, a kind of horse-shoe-like trail. On one side, you can sit on a bench and feel the sea breeze and slanting sunshine on your face. Pure bliss!
Things trees know – Reach for the light.
DOUGLAS WOOD
Surprisingly, I never found the Seal Cove Cypress Tree Tunnel crowded. I leaned against a tree, slipped into silence, and got lost in contemplation, a rare activity in the perpetual to-do list era. Looking outside, I looked within.
That being said, I still missed the spontaneous interactions that occur sporadically when we visit a place full of people.
This place looks heavenly during the sunset. If you are visiting the Seal Cove Cypress Tree Tunnel in Moss Beach, extend your stay till the sun goes down.
Read More: 46 Top Things to Do in Half Moon Bay, California
7. Wavecrest Open Space Cypress Tunnel – A Dog-Friendly Escape
The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing which stands in the way… But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself.
WILLIAM BLAKE
Unlike the tunnel at Seal Cove, the Wavecrest Cypress Tunnel in Half Moon Bay welcomes your four-legged companions (on-leash).
This 1/4-mile stretch of trees is perfectly bent by the coastal winds to create a tubular canopy that leads directly to the bluffs.
It’s a favorite for bird-watchers—keep an eye out for hawks and white-tailed kites soaring over the adjacent grasslands as you walk through the trees.
8. Lands End Cypress Forest – San Francisco’s Urban Canopy
The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
While most of the famous tunnels on this list require a drive out of the city, the Lands End Cypress Forest offers a magical, windswept escape right within San Francisco’s city limits.
Located along the rugged cliffs of the northwestern corner of the city, these Monterey Cypresses have been sculpted into dramatic, leaning arches by decades of salty Pacific winds.
Walking the trails near the Eagle’s Point entrance or the path leading down toward the Lands End Labyrinth, you’ll find sections where the canopy knit together to create a sheltered, cathedral-like atmosphere. It is the perfect spot for those who want the “tunnel experience” without leaving the city.
Pro-Tip for 2026: If you visit during the late afternoon, the sun filters through the needles in sharp “God rays” that are a dream for photographers.
Pair this walk with a visit to the nearby Sutro Baths at sunset for the ultimate San Francisco nature day.
9. Cypress Tree Tunnel near Mendocino – A Hidden Coastal Gem
Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven!
Rabindra Nath Tagore
Mendocino’s Cypress Tree Tunnel, less traversed yet equally mesmerizing, offers an escape into serenity.
This hidden gem, nestled in the quaint surroundings of Mendocino, presents a spectacle where the trees form a natural archway, creating a tunnel vision that seems to lead into eternity.
The drive from San Francisco unfolds into a scenic journey, revealing the rugged beauty of California’s coastline, leading to this secluded marvel.
As you stroll through this verdant passage, the whispering winds and the soothing sound of the ocean nearby invite a moment of reflection. Mendocino, with its enchanting landscapes and coastal charm, enhances the experience, making every visit memorable.
Also Read: 44 Top Things to Do in Mendocino, California
Best Time for Photography
While summer fog is iconic, winter (January – March) is actually the best time to capture the “God rays” filtering through the cypress needles.
Because the sun is lower on the horizon this time of year, the light hits the tunnels at a sharper angle, creating those dramatic beams of light you see on Instagram.
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Travel Realizations
Trees are nature’s resilience through the ages. The enchantment that these super scenic Cypress Trees and Tunnels near San Francisco provoke is spiritual for me.
A quick respite from the urban microcosm. No white noise of distant traffic, no transit trains, lawnmowers, and an omnipresent hum that seeps through the window.
In each of these beautiful places, I felt nothing but bliss in abundance.
Whenever I looked up, the trees seemed to tickle the blue sky and my eyes stuck. I hope all these places will inspire you too as they do me.
Fill your weekends with these super scenic spots. And if you remember me, come back and share a word or two on this blog’s comments section. Until my next post, adieu!
The enchantment that these super scenic Cypress Trees and Tunnels near San Francisco provoke is spiritual for me. A quick respite from the urban microcosm. #Travel #Traveler #VisitCalifornia #Optoutside Share on XNewsletter
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