POINT REYES - TOMALES POINT
Tomales Point Trail | Inverness, CA
★★★★☆
A Zen-inducing journey to the edge of the land, flanked by crashing waves, grazing elk, and waist-high flora.
Last hiked 5/20/17
Length: 9.4 mi.
Gain: 1310 ft.
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: No
THE RUNDOWN
This hike runs along the spine of Tomales Point, the dagger-looking northern tip of Point Reyes that's surrounded by the Pacific on the left and Tomales Bay on the right. As a result, this hike takes longer to drive to than most in the area, but it's also one of the best and not to be missed. When you see the cliffs and elk for the first time, you'll know what we mean!
Park at the Tomales Point Trailhead, next to Pierce Point Ranch. It's hard to miss, as you'll see quaint, white, wooden buildings nearby.
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Fees: None
Trailhead: Tomales Point Trailhead
Restroom: Yes, at McClures Beach parking just down the road.
This hike can't be any more straightforward; you won't get lost! Click here for a detailed map.
This isn't a peak hike, which is a refreshing change. You'll still get a good workout nonetheless with all the ups and downs.
Park at the Tomales Point Trailhead, next to Pierce Point Ranch. It's hard to miss, as you'll see quaint, white, wooden buildings nearby.
STEP BY STEP
↑ Proceed to Tomales Point Trail.
↑ Continue on Tomales Point Trail to Tomales Bluff (basically when you reach the ocean).
↓ Double back on Tomales Point Trail to the parking lot.
Heavenly landscapes like these are part of what makes Tomales Point so special.
The trail near Tomales Bluff is surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers, especially in the spring, creating a countrylike, rustic feel.
Trail's end at Tomales Bluff. We weren't able to see too far out that day but still enjoyed our lunch there.
MUSINGS
We hiked Tomales Point in May 2017 with two other friends (we miss those pre-COVID days). While we don't remember the minute details, we will never forget how unique, serene, and purely magnificent this place is. Maybe it was the omnipresent roar of the crashing waves hundreds of feet below, or the way a silky blanket of fog parked itself right off the coast, making for many picture-perfect moments. Maybe it was the many dozens of tule elk that call this sanctuary home, munching away in the endless grass fields, or the act of enjoying a simple lunch on the bluffs after wading through waist-high wildflowers. Whatever it may be, your personal experience will inevitably be different from ours, but we think you'll take home the same level of satisfaction we did at the end of the day.
Tomales Point Trail starts at Pierce Point Ranch and quickly makes its way towards the ocean, at which point we bet you'll be convinced you chose the right hike. Until you reach Tomales Bluff, the trail itself doesn't change much -- a relatively straight path through majestic, rolling hills. However, you'll encounter the elk at about the halfway point (as far as we can remember), and there are plenty of epic photo spots along the way, especially if you arrive early enough when the light is still soft. At the end of the trail, enjoy Tomales Point, where you're quite literally at land's end. This is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch or a snack, though it can be windy and foggy, so pack layers! When you're ready, make your way back. The awesome thing about out-and-back trails? You get to soak in the views twice.
A shady spot under a fragrant eucalyptus tree made for a relaxing water break.
One of the more interesting plants we saw (cobweb thistle).
A hiker approaching the "unmaintained" portion of the trail. We thought it was actually pretty well-maintained and had no difficulty navigating the trail.
Sunbathing, eating, sleeping, people watching. Must be nice being an elk here.
A nearby town. If only we all had a backyard like this...
MORE INFO
Some Reminders
Be very careful around the bluffs near the end of the trail. See "Collapse of Bluff near Tomales Point" here.
Please stay a good distance away from the elk.
Good Eats
Delightful and tastefully made Puerto Rican food can be found at Sol Food in Mill Valley.
Or try some delicious and authentic Mexican food at Taqueria San Jose in San Rafael - indulge yourself, we dare you! This is a spot we've visited multiple times and would revisit again.
Okay, this one may be a bit unexpected, but Andy's Local Market in San Rafael has a great selection. We ordered a made-to-order pizza here, and it was heavenly. Bonus points because we got to enjoy it on the benches outside with a lovely view of the wharf. (Thanks Miles for the rec!)
Last but not least, Fish. in Sausalito has some really fresh… fish. Local, sustainable seafood dominates the menu; we highly recommend the Portuguese red chowder and any of the grilled fresh catches paired with their housemade pasta. It's pricey but the quality is unbeatable.