Good spots to turn around: At the 1-mile point, the trail overlooks White Gulch and beyond to Hog Island in the middle of Tomales Bay—watch the sunset here and you’ll have time to get back to your car before dark. They were here long before the park was formed and are a vital part of present-day Point Reyes. The first time we went there were also all of these guys staring at us for part of our trip (the trail goes through an elk reserve). Weather was perfect. I thought I'd do it as a trail run today. The Tomales Point Trailhead is at the end of Pierce Point Road, 40 minute driving time from Bear Valley. Please choose a different date. My advice is to go mid week to avoid all the people. It was about an hour outside of the city and 100% worth the drive. Plan for an all-day outing if you want to go the distance. At about 2¼ miles in, the trail turns upward to the ridgecrest, then drops down sharply. The hike to Tomales Point is one of the easier trails to follow. Magnificent elks prancing under the warm light of sunset is a sight to behold. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Tomales Point is a beautiful hiking trail located on a peninsula at the northernmost point of Tomales Bay. Past Inverness the road forks. Rare Point Reyes Salty Birds-Beak (Chloropyron maritimum ssp. It is 9.4 miles (15 km) long, leads through an Elk reserve and is an amazing opportunity for wildlife and wildflower (spring) watching. A delightful coastal trail about 9 miles, in and out, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the bay on the other. Park, Hiking; 5. From the parking lot at the Tomales Point Trailhead, walk to the left of the historic Pierce Point Ranch, which offers a glimpse into the early dairy ranching days on the Peninsula.. Continue straight, in a general northern direction, on the same trail for 7.6 km until the trail dead ends at Tomales Point. Trail surfaces: Wide dirt trail that shifts to loose sand near the turn-around point. Trailhead is at the end of Pierce Point Road, about 40 minutes driving time from Bear Valley. Tomales Point Trail, Point Reyes Station: See 100 reviews, articles, and 213 photos of Tomales Point Trail, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 18 attractions in Point Reyes Station. Easy parking at 10am. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Pierce Point Road Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes National Seashore, CA 94956. Website. The Tomales Point Trail is very popular and there is plenty information about it on many hiking sites. Surrounded by water on three sides for the length of the trail, it feels like walking nature’s plank—but in a good way. Glen Aulin Trail - Astrophotography Time-lapse - Yosemite National Park Dillon Beach, California - Astrophotography Time-lapse Elk Encounter - Tomales Point Trail - California The trail turns to sand in the last mile, which makes the going a bit more challenging. My friend Alex was game for an adventure, so we decided to hit up the Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore . Come join us for breathtaking coastal views as we walk through Tule Elk Preserve along our hike to Tomales Point at Point Reyes National Seashore ! This is a spot you may want to hike, and have an eye full. Hiking to the End of Tomales Point Trail, A.K.A. The Tomales Point Trail is 4.7 miles one-way along the ridge of the northernmost point of Point Reyes, It used to be a fairly quiet trail (according to a book that I use as a guidebook), but it has evidently become extremely popular in recent times. Year-round you can hike in from the parking area trailhead at Pierce Point Ranch and see a herd of elk from the trail, usually guarded … Gorgeous sunset. Hike the Classic Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. It is an out and back trip to the end of the peninsula. Tomales point trail Estimated time to complete 5h 20min without break. Don't need to do that again". During the late spring and summer, you’ll need to check before you go to see if the fog has rolled in. Tomales Point Trail: Beautiful views- but give yourself time & pack water - See 100 traveller reviews, 213 candid photos, and great deals for Point Reyes Station, CA, at Tripadvisor. Great hike and easy. The views of the ocean and the Tule Elk everywhere are the highlights. Sun screen; there's no shade on this hike Hike FAQs: *Google Maps Address to Hike: Tomales Point Trail, Inverness, CA 94937 INVERNESS, CA - OCTOBER 21: Pierce Point Ranch is seen from inside the barn near the beginning of the Tomales Point Trail at the Point Reyes National Seashore in … Bring extra layers due to ocean breezes. The Tomales Point Trail also represents one of the premier wildlife viewing opportunities at Point Reyes, passing through the park’s Tule Elk Reserve, where a herd of approximately 450 tule elk thrives after being reintroduced in 1978. All Trails. Sights to See. Trail length: 3 miles each way (plus 1.7 miles unmaintained trail if you hike to the very end), out and back Time: depends on how far you go Terrain: gently sloping coastal bluffs, wide trail The journey all the way to the Point is worth it, for the view is unparalleled. Open trail through the Tule Elk Range offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. I got home and told my son I'd hiked this nothing-burger trail. 4 reviews of Tomales Bay Trail "For years now I've driven by the Tomales Bay Trailhead and been consistent in remarking that "I want to hike that". I finally did, and when I'd almost fully back-tracked to my car I said "Well, done that. Tomales Point looks north into Bodega Bay. "This open trail offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Tomales Bluff Few gentle inclines and declines but overall a moderate hike - more for the distance than the elevation changes. Verify your listing. Parking overflow only when I got back. After the hike, we'll stop at McClure Beach to relax and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Please Note:
If you want to visit the lighthouse itself at the end of the drive, please note that it is closed on certain days of the week. Start at the Tomales Point Trailhead near the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. But what you encounter along the way … well that’s pure Point Reyes. Highly recommend. It was about an hour outside of the city and 100% worth the drive. The resident population of native tule elk, easily spotted from the trail, provide visual variety if you tire of ocean views. Almost everyone courteous with masking and distance. Tomales Point looks north into Bodega Bay. Well paved trail and minimal elevation change. The end of the hike is a perfect one for sunset. Since we visited in October, the land was pretty brown. Lots of folks never have seen an, Elk ! The unmaintained last mile is worth the sandy trudging. _____ Add to Calendar. It is also a prime wildlife viewing trail, as it is remote and the tule elk are enclosed in this reserve. TOMALES POINT TRAIL. 517 ft. Elev Gain. 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