A wide stretch of beach backed by dramatic white sandstone cliffs makes this a very popular place. Cafe, restrooms, large parking area, a bookstore, and a visitor center available in season. The sands of the Drakes Bay cliffs were deposited in a shallow sea 10–13 million years ago, compacted, then uplifted. Erosion has revealed the striations of this story in the cliff faces. nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm