Not only is it a beautiful tourist destination, but Point Reyes also has an interesting history. Although it is protected federally as a national seashore and maintained by the National Park service, it isn’t exactly like the other national parks. It was only protected in 1962 by the government of Marin county, CA. Prior to 1962, some of the area at point Reyes was already being used for cattle ranching. These ranches are still operational and you will see a bunch of cow pastures and farmland as you drive around point Reyes. That being said, it is considered one of California’s cleanest beaches thanks to it’s protected status. It appears as if the government stepped in at the right time in order to prevent the inevitable ecological destruction caused by our friends with udders