Point Reyes Lifeboat Station

Point Reyes Lifeboat Station is a maritime rescue facility in Inverness on the California Pacific coast. The complex includes a main building, boathouse, and pier that extends into Drakes Bay waters.

The station was built in 1936 to protect vessels from dangerous conditions near Point Reyes Peninsula, where fog and strong currents posed constant threats. It served as a vital rescue facility for this hazardous stretch of coast.

The station shows the importance of rescue operations in California maritime history through its equipment and archives. Visitors can understand how rescue crews helped people in distress and what techniques they used.

The site is accessible on foot and sits at a location with views across the bay where visitors can see the historic structures and pier. The best time to visit is during fair weather, as fog and wind can limit views.

The station preserves one of the last marine railway systems from the Pacific Coast that could launch rescue boats directly into the water. The rails and equipment from the construction period reveal how complex and technically challenging rescue operations were.