California Coastal Access Guide, Seventh Edition. California Coastal Commission
amounts of sediment, thus improving the quality of water in Tomales Bay, and improved passage for coho salmon that spawn in streams feeding Tomales Bay. For information on public field seminars and volunteer work days, contact the Point Reyes National Seashore: 415-464-5227.
▪ Spur trail overlooking the wetlands begins at 3rd and C streets in Point Reyes Station
OLEMA MARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bear Valley Rd. intersection, S.E. corner. Freshwater marsh is bordered by dense willow thickets; public entry is not permitted, but many birds may be seen from the parking area located off Bear Valley Road. The marsh is part of the Point Reyes National Seashore.
WHITE HOUSE POOL: Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bear Valley Rd. intersection, N.E. corner. Public access point to the banks of Lagunitas Creek, near the junction of Olema Creek. Lagunitas Creek is the largest of the streams feeding Tomales Bay; it provides significant spawning habitat for endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout, although fish counts have dropped dramatically from historic levels. The creek is also habitat for the endangered California freshwater shrimp.
▪ Good birding among the willow thickets
▪ Coho salmon may be spotted during winter months
TOMALES BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE: Southern portion of Tomales Bay. Walk north from White House Pool parking lot along the levee to the reserve; there is fishing access from Shoreline Hwy. on the east side of the bay. Managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
▪ Waterfowl hunting and fishing requires a valid hunting or fishing license; call: 707-944-5500
▪ Land area is closed Mar. 1–June 30 to protect nesting birds
SHIELDS SALTMARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 3 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Overlook next to the bay; park in roadside pull-out. Area managed by Audubon Canyon Ranch; call: 415-663-8203.
Marin County
Tomales Bay West Shore
MARTINELLI PARK: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Inverness. Small bayfront park next to the Inverness Store; fine views of the water and forested ridge.
DANA MARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .25 mi. N. of Inverness. Half-hidden path to shoreline starts at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. next to a wood fence, 50 yards north of Woodhaven Road. Adjacent private property; do not trespass.
TOMALES BAY RESORT: 12938 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .3 mi. N. of Inverness. Waterfront hotel includes small marina and boat launch. Public access to the shoreline around the resort is planned. Call: 415-669-1389.
▪ Kayak rentals and tours at adjacent Blue Waters Kayaking; call: 415-669-2600
CHICKEN RANCH BEACH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .5 mi. N. of Inverness. Small sandy beach on Tomales Bay is reached via a footbridge over a creek. Limited roadside parking; chemical toilet is not wheelchair accessible.
INVERNESS RIDGE: W. of Tomales Bay. An undeveloped unit of Tomales Bay State Park is on the ridge above Inverness. Starting from the top of Perth Ave., there are hiking trails through the forest that connect to Mount Vision in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Check at the Heart’s Desire park headquarters for more information, or call: 415-669-1140.
SHELL BEACH: End of Camino del Mar, off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 1 mi. N. of Inverness. Sandy bay beach, part of Tomales Bay State Park. Quarter-mile-long trail leads downhill from the parking lot. From Shell Beach, the 4.3-mile-long Johnstone Trail leads north past Pebble Beach to Heart’s Desire Beach.
HEART’S DESIRE BEACH: Pierce Point Rd., 2 mi. N. of Inverness. Main facility of Tomales Bay State Park, with a sandy bay beach. Picnic tables and restrooms with running water are nearby. A separate larger picnic area including several group sites is on a bluff, a few hundred yards south of Heart’s Desire. Dogs on leash allowed in the blufftop picnic area but not on trails or at the beach. Call: 415-669-1140.
▪ Picnicking, clamming, and hand-carried boat launching
▪ Bay swimming
▪ Half-mile-long nature trail through bishop pine forest to Indian Beach, with replicas of Miwok houses
▪ Johnstone Trail leads south past secluded Pebble Beach to Shell Beach
Marin County
Tomales Point to Point Reyes Lighthouse
MARSHALL BEACH: L Ranch Rd., off Pierce Point Rd., 1.3 mi. N. of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. junction. Trail to bay beach, part of Point Reyes National Seashore.
PIERCE POINT RANCH: End of Pierce Point Rd., 7 mi. N. of Inverness. Historic ranch preserved by Point Reyes National Seashore. Three-mile-long trail leads to Tomales Point; striking views but no beach access.
▪ Tule elk at Tomales Point
MCCLURES BEACH: End of Pierce Point Rd., 9 mi. N. of Inverness. Steep half-mile-long trail to the beach. Strong waves; unsafe for swimming.
▪ Cormorants and common murres rest on sea stacks
▪ Black oystercatchers may be spotted on rocks
▪ Giant green anemones and ochre sea stars in tidepools
KEHOE BEACH: Trail off Pierce Point Rd., S. of McClures Beach. Shoulder parking. The trail to beach runs beside Kehoe Marsh; most of the trail is wheelchair accessible. Dogs may be prohibited during nesting season for western snowy plovers, from about mid-March to early September.
ABBOTTS LAGOON: Off Pierce Point Rd., 3.4 mi. N.W. of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. An easy 1.5-mile-long trail leads to the lagoon and to the beach beyond.
▪ Caspian terns may be seen in the summer
▪ Canoeing permitted in the lagoon
NORTH BEACH AND SOUTH BEACH: Off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Twelve-mile-long beach has rough surf; swimming is unsafe. Dogs on leash allowed; observe posted restrictions during snowy plover nesting season in spring and summer.
DRAKES ESTERO: Estero Trail off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 4 mi. W. of Inverness. A mile-long trail leads downhill from the Estero Trailhead to the water’s edge.
▪ Harbor seal breeding colony in Drakes Estero
POINT REYES LIGHTHOUSE: End of Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 15 mi. S.W. of Inverness. Visitor center open Thurs.–Mon., 10:00 AM–4:30 PM; 300-step stairway to the lighthouse. Parking is limited; during peak whale-watching months, a shuttle (fee) operates from Drakes Beach parking area, weekends and holidays only. Special parking and drop-off areas for visitors with limited mobility. For recorded lighthouse information, call: 415-464-5100.
▪ Popular place for sighting migrating gray whales, especially mid-January (southbound animals) and mid-March (northbound)
▪ California sea lions occupy offshore rocks
▪ Breeding colony of Steller sea lions in one of the coves
CHIMNEY