Walk though Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes

One of the most intriguing places in Northern California is the mysterious Cypress Tree Tunnel within the Point Reyes  National Seashore park. The landmark is located off the Sir Francis Drake road on the way to the Marconi Radio station. A lot of California bloggers and photographers unmistakingly recognize the spectacular location and love to add it to their portfolio.

The Point Reyes Tree Tunnel made onto the California Magical Tree Tunnel list for ten years in a row, which is not surprising. The tunnel is formed by the Monterey Cypress trees (Cupressus macrocarp) and thus you have a very good chance to photograph it all year around (evergreen trees do not shed the needles with the seasonal change).

Best guide to Point Reyes National Seashore

Before I go on any further mumbling about how dope the tunnel is or start talking about the Marconi Wireless Station, let me interrupt myself with this message:

Take your time exploring the following website if you would like to get the best experience out of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Given the fact that you’re about to drive 2-3 hours from the Bay Area I highly recommend that you do your research to receive the best experience possible.

This website is the single most useful and well organized piece of info to get an insider perspective into the elusive and mysterious PRNS.

Historic Marconi Wireless Station, California

Cypress Tree Tunnel  is one of the best experiences for photographers, bloggers and adventures seekers while visiting the Point Reyes National Seashore park. The tunnel is located a bit out of the way while driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, but definitely worth the time invested. You will find the intriguing locale specifically off of the Sir Francis Drake blvd. The walk through the Cypress Tree Tunnel turned into an enlightening historic endeavor once we reached the building at the end of the tunnel.

As we found out later, at the end of the tunnel is a Radio station. After a quick research, we learned about the Marconi RCA Wireless Station located in Point Reyes park. We discovered the narrative behind wireless transmission evolution, the radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi. We unraveled the significance that the radio station at Point Reyes has on the modern day radio communication. Our little hipster photography experience turned into a fascinating history and science lesson. 

Marconi Radio station in Point Reyes  

Initially we thought that someone planted the Monterey Cypress tree tunnel for personal estate, however something went sideways and the land was repurposed for a radio station. Little did we know that just a few decades back it was the Marconi Wireless Station  that drew all the attraction and not the California magical tree tunnel. Highly recommend checking out this website to for quick Historic reference.  

Although Marconi’s dream of heading a worldwide communication empire was over, he nonetheless continued experimenting with improving radio communications. In 1923, he developed a short-wave beam system. This system could not only be used for better long distance communication, but also for guiding ships safely into port even in dense fog. With the implementation of short-wave signals, the operation at Marshall (which was a long-wave station) was relocated across Tomales Bay to the Point Reyes Peninsula for superior short-wave reception.

The Marshall station, which is now a State Historic Park, was replaced by a new Art Deco-designed facility located on “G” ranch just yards away from what today is known as North Beach. With the decline of Morse code and new ship and satellite technology, the station was retired in the late 1990s. By 2000, the National Park Service and volunteers from the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) partnered to care for the remaining artifacts and records and also preserve the sites in operating condition so that they can still be heard on the air on weekends and special occasions. Research indicates the combination of the transmitting (Bolinas) and receiving station (Point Reyes) may be the last intact Marconi-era coast station in North America.

Address for Cypress Tree Tunnel and Radio Station:

Cypress Tree Tunnel, Inverness, CA 94937

Marconi lodge

Located just outside of the National Park is the Marconi Lodge. Completely unnoticeable while driving on the Pacific Coast Highway it is well hidden. A historic site turned into a modern day conference center and a place for masses to hold weddings and other various gatherings. Here’3.s their website if you’d like to book a personal event or simply stay at the Marconi Lodge.