Ihave hiked the Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore several times, and depending on the time of year you go, you may or may not actually see the ocean as you move along the cliffed peninsula with the Pacific Ocean below you on the west side, Tomales Bay on the east side and Bodega Bay to the north.
If you’re going to see the ocean, the best times to hike are in Fall, Winter or Early Spring. During the late spring and summer, you’ll need to check before you go to see if the fog has rolled in. If so, you can hike the trail, but the fog can be so thick that you will only be able to hear the ocean as it crashes well below you. In the spring, you might see California Poppies growing by the trail.
With the exception of one small area about halfway out to the point where you can sit under a grove of Cypress and Eucalyptus trees and have lunch or something, the trail is exposed to the sun.
As you move on to this point, you’ll start to head down a little bit before you climb back up a hill. You might encounter a muddy patch. If it is there, try to avoid it. One time I hiked the trail, I had on boots with six-inch uppers on them, and I sank about 5 inches. A little way after this, the trail turns sandy in some places, and sometimes it feels like for every two steps forward you take, you take one back, but you’re getting closer to the point.
The views across Tomales Bay of Dillon Beach and the hills behind can be serene. If the light hits it right, the ocean will have a deep, rich blue color.
As you get to the end of the point, you can hike down to nearly the water level as it crashes into the land. Take in the views of the ocean and Bodega Bay to the north.
As the trail follows the rolling hills, there is a very good chance you will see Tule Elk, and maybe even a herd of them. They are fine to view from a distance, but do not approach them. They are also the reason why mountain lions live in the area. In all the times I’ve hiked the trail, I’ve never encountered one, but there is a warning sign at the trailhead. I did catch a glimpse of a red fox as it ran across the trail about 50 yards in front of me and disappeared. It startled me because it moved very quick, and I wasn’t sure if it was a mountain lion or not. I moved to a point where I could see it again and clearly determined what it was.
While the trail traffic is light to mild, if you like hiking in solitude, hiking on the weekend may not be for you. If you hike the trail in the morning, you will encounter less people than later in the day.
Directions: From Inverness, follow Sir Francis Drake Boulevard north. Turn right on Pierce Point Road and follow it to the end where you will come to Pierce Point Ranch where the trail begins, which is a total of about 11 miles from Inverness. Parking is here: 38.188989, -122.953978
The Skinny
Trail: Tomales Point Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 38.189201, -122.954096
Trailhead Elevation: 302 Feet
Distance: 9.5 Miles – Out and Back
Level of Difficulty: 🟢
Average Grade: .9%
Steepest Grade: 7.9% over 1 Mile
Ascension: 1434 Feet
Trail Condition: 🟢🟢🟢 – See Summary
Scenery: 🟢🟢🟢
Nearest Town: Inverness
Challenges: Hiking in Sand
Traffic: 🥾🥾
Highlights: Scenery, Wildlife Viewing
Best Time: Fall, Winter, Early Spring
Hazards: None
Wildlife Concerns: Mountain Lions, Tule Elk
Would I Do This Hike Again?: I have done this hike many times. Yes.
Parking: Free
Restrooms: None. Vault toilets at McClures Beach parking lot