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Palomarin Field Station

UPDATE ON VISITATION: Point Blue Conservation Science’s Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas is open to drop-in visitors and scheduled groups to see bird-banding demonstrations. Please check back here for any status changes. See details below for information on visiting including how to request an appointment. 

Note: We also host virtual “In the Field Live” visits to our Palomarin Field Station. Keep an eye on our social media platforms, events page, or sign up on our email list to get alerts to join the next one.

The Palomarin Field Station is one of America’s premier locations for long-term studies on birds and their habitats. Located at the southern end of the Point Reyes National Seashore, our biologists at the station have been conducting research since 1966 to understand changes—both natural and human-created— and guide conservation action. Explore our data, check out our publications, and learn how you can get involved here.

We are offering bird-banding demonstrations to drop-in visitors (for groups of 1-5 people), and by-appointment-only for classes, larger groups, or smaller groups with special requests. For classes and groups needing an appointment, please fill out this form to request a visit! On the day of your visit, if the weather is questionable (nets are closed due to rain or wind) you may call 415.868.0655 x2 to hear the status of the nets that day.

What you can do at Palomarin:

• Join biologists to observe different ways we study birds and their habitats: check our mist nets for birds (view the video below for an example of what you might see); watch as birds are banded and measured in the lab, then released unharmed.
• Learn about our science through interactive displays (once our Nature Center is reopened).
• Take a walk on the wild side on our nature trail (accessed from our parking lot).
• Meet passionate science interns from around the world.

Directions to the Palomarin Field Station

Here are Google Map Directions (or navigate to the Palomarin Field Station, 999 Mesa Road, Bolinas CA), but the signage is a little tricky, not all navigation interfaces takes you to the right place (we recommend Google), not all browsers place the location correctly (we recommend Chrome), and cell coverage is spotty to absent in areas: so be sure to read through the written directions below as well. We look forward to seeing you!

From the south (e.g., San Francisco, Mill Valley, Stinson Beach):
After passing through Stinson Beach, continue on Shoreline Highway (Highway 1) for approximately 4.5 miles. Bolinas Lagoon is on your left. Just after the Lagoon ends, turn left onto the first road on the left past the lagoon (marked only by a 4-way intersection sign, otherwise unlabeled). Turn left here, and at yield sign turn left again; this is road into Bolinas. See “final directions after turnoff into Bolinas”, below, for remaining steps.

From the north (e.g., Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Point Reyes Station, Olema):
From Olema go south on Highway 1 for approximately 9 miles. Look for an unmarked paved road (Olema Bolinas Rd) on your right (marked only by an intersection sign), across from a white farm house, just before the Bolinas Lagoon. (If the lagoon is on your right-hand side, turn around, you have just missed the turn off to Olema Bolinas Rd.). Turn right on Olema Bolinas Road; this is road into Bolinas. See “final directions after turnoff into Bolinas”, below, for remaining steps.

Final directions after turnoff into Bolinas:
Follow this road (Olema Bolinas Road) around the west side of the Lagoon towards Bolinas (lagoon will be on your left). Turn left at the first stop sign at a T-intersection (to stay on Olema Bolinas Road). Turn right at the next stop sign onto MESA ROAD (see green county road sign “Bird Observatory 4 Mi”). The Palomarin Field Station is 4 miles up Mesa Road. The road will turn into a dirt road at about 3-1/4 miles. Follow the dirt road until you see the sign for Palomarin on your left and turn in at the dirt driveway on your left and you are there!

Petaluma Headquarters

Special Alert: Point Blue Conservation Science’s Petaluma Headquarters are in the process of re-opening to the public. Thank you for your patience.

Point Blue is headquartered in Petaluma, California along the Petaluma River. Our office is adjacent to a 261-acre parcel of protected wetlands and uplands, and with direct access out of our front door to Shollenberger Park, a popular haven for birders and nature lovers on the Petaluma River.

Embodying our vision of a healthy planet, our building is powered by 100% local and renewal energy and furnished with ecologically friendly carpeting, paint, office cubbies, shades, tiling and countertops. We also use diffused light from skylights accompanied by energy efficient light bulbs to conserve energy. In 2013, Point Blue became a certified Sonoma County Green Business.

The outside of the building is landscaped with low water native plants. Our partner, the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) is removing non-native invasive plants around Shollenberger Marsh and replacing them with native plants to support diverse native wildlife populations.

In the Field

Would you like to participate in a field site visit with Point Blue staff to explore and learn about the truly spectacular settings we are privileged to work in throughout California and beyond? Our scientists love to share their passion and expert knowledge. We’d like to invite you to participate in an experience in the field!

Depending on the time of year and our team’s availability, options might include tours of our Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas, where we’ve been banding birds and collecting data for more than 50 years (see more below); occasional trips to the Farallon Islands as part of our volunteer Farallon Patrol; tidal marsh bird surveys; habitat restorations in the North and South San Francisco Bay and in the Sierra; and visits to California ranches where we’re working with producers to implement conservation solutions on their land. You can also see a running list of our volunteer opportunities here. See you in the field!

Note: We are hosting virtual “In the Field Live” visits. Keep an eye on our social media platforms, our events page, or sign up on our email list to get alerts to join the next one.