Tomales Bay

Bioluminescent night paddles and boat-in beach camps.

A long, sheltered arm of the Pacific along the San Andreas Fault, with Point Reyes National Seashore’s beaches on the west side and oyster farms on the east. Paddle by day to empty coves and tule elk country, camp on a beach you can only reach by boat, or join a night tour when the water glows with every stroke. It suits beginners in the south bay and stronger paddlers toward the windy, tidal mouth.

At a glance

Size

15 mi long, 6,780 acres

Launch sites

6, from Hearts Desire Beach to Lawson’s Landing

Boat-in camping

$30/site/night; permits open 3 months ahead

Closed year-round

Pelican Point, Duck Island, east side of Hog Island

Jet skis

Banned on the bay

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Sea kayaking
• Paddle-in camping
• Multi-day trips
• Boat rentals
• Guided tours
• Paddleboarding
• Wildlife

Rentals, guides and shops

• Blue Waters Kayaking

  Bioluminescence and full-moon tours, day tours to Tomales Point and Drakes Estero, weekend rentals at Hearts Desire Beach, load-and-go rentals and guided camping trips.

• Lawson’s Landing

  Campground, boat launch and boat rentals at Dillon Beach, at the mouth of the bay.

Where to stay

• cabinNick’s Cove

  Waterfront cottages and a well-known oyster restaurant on the east shore near Marshall.

  25 min drive
• innTomales Bay Resort

  Cape Cod-style inn and marina on the west shore, with a ramp for launching.

  On the bay
• innOlema House

  Boutique hotel at the edge of the national seashore in Olema.

  15 min drive

Nearby

• Hog Island Oyster Co. · 20 min drive

  Oyster farm and picnic tables on the east shore in Marshall; book ahead.

• Tomales Bay Oyster Company · 20 min drive

  Buy oysters by the bag and shuck them at the bayside picnic area.

• Cowgirl Creamery · 10 min drive

  Cheese shop in Point Reyes Station, a good stop for a picnic lunch.

• Point Reyes Lighthouse · 40 min drive

  Historic lighthouse on the windiest headland on the Pacific coast, with whale watching in winter.

Getting there

• San Francisco International (SFO) · about 1 hr 30 min drive
• San Francisco · about 1.25 hr
• Sacramento · about 2.25 hr

Directions in Google Maps