Tomales Bay is the body of water that separates Point Reyes and the Marin coastline. The Seashore faces the challenge of not only preserving the pristine shorelines of Tomales Bay and assisting in protecting clean water, but also providing recreational opportunities for the public. Must be comfortable and confident in water with up to 18" wind swell. Kayaking on Tomales Bay - SFGATE Call us today! You can rent a horse more, Encompassing 100 square miles of coastal wilderness, the park offers 80 miles of pristine coastline and over 150 miles of hiking trails. Love oysters? Tomales Bay State Park provides two sites at which one may launch kayaks onto Tomales Bay: Millerton Point and Hearts Desire Beach. Per the Superintendent's Compendium, the waters within 91 meters (100 yards) of shore are closed to all vessels from Longitude 123 01.00' west to the western end of the headlands below the Point Reyes Lighthouse. As the wind often increases throughout the day, launching in the morning is typically a safer decision when planning the logistics of your paddle. 10 Best Rivers To Paddle In Quebec - Paddling Magazine Tomales Bay Day Rentals; Tomales Bay Camping Tomales Bay Expeditions Kayak Trips Rentals Tours Your Safety While Boating - Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S (locations are listed in the order in which one would encounter them moving counter-clockwise around the bay from Tomales Point to Dillon Beach). Tours leave from various locations depending on tidal conditions. Recreational use of Tomales Bay has grown in recent years especially for camping, boating, and wildlife watching. and the other 3 hours are spent learning as you paddle along the beautiful coastline of the Tomales Bay State Park or the Point Reyes National Seashore. ), or speak with a ranger. The beautiful granite cliffs and white sandy beaches of the Tomales Bay State Park & the Point Reyes National Seashore make the perfect destination to explore. While there are restrooms at Hearts Desire Beach, Lawsons Landing, and Miller Boat Launch, a pit toilet at Indian Beach, and portable toilets at Chicken Ranch Beach, camping is prohibited at all of these locations. While Tomales Bay separates the two, this post will focus on the Marin side of Tomales Bay. As a photographer with The Chronicle, he won first place in America for best outdoors feature image in 2011. The group of twelve doubled up into tandem kayaks and set out from Nick's Cove, across the bay, around Hog Island and Duck Island and back, a four hour trip. Pit toilets are available, no water. All very beautiful n deserted. CA Beach fires are prohibited on state park beaches. We schedule these trips during the most ideal viewing conditions. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 100 of the swim area markers. Tomales Bay offers boat-in only campgrounds along the east side of the peninsula. Take that exit 0.3 of a mile to a stop sign, turn left on Lucas Valley Road and drive 10.4 miles to Nicasio Valley Road. Come visit our launch location at the northern end of the Tomales Bay Resort in Inverness. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Call us today! Check with the Seashore reservation office. This beach is really easy to get to. No dump station. In the event of adverse weather conditions, well try our best to reschedule the tour at a later date, rest assured. The best paddle here is the easy trip to the southern end of Tomales Bay, a wetlands area excellent for sighting shorebirds and waterfowl. Suggested put-in points include Lac St Patrice/Forant Bridge (110 km, 7 days) and Lac Raymond (75 km, 5 days). They also offer great classes, bioluminescent tours, and suggestions for . Tomales Bay Expeditions (Marshall) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Along with our normal rental orientation, Hobie rentals include an additional few minutes of instruction on how to operate the pedal-drive and rudder system. TOMALES BAY - Beaches are not assigned; campers choose available beaches on a first-come, first-served basis THERE IS POTABLE WATER AT WILDCAT, SKY, GLEN AND COAST CAMP. Bioluminescence in Tomales Bay is virtually impossible to capture on film, most of the white-blue fluorescent photos seen here where not taken in Tomales Bay. . If you plan to have a. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Weve chosen the best dates for July, August, September, and October based on the moons position to ensure the darkest nights. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Camping on the beaches on the westside of Tomales Bay north of Tomales Bay State Park's northern boundary, if you have reserved a boat-in camping permit. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. The sand bar at the mouth of Tomales Bay is notoriously dangerous, with a long history of small-boat accidents. It requires additional skills, experience, and equipment, and is not recommended for most kayakers. It's home to harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks, and the majestic tule elk. Tandem Kayak - A kayak with two paddlers paddling the same boat. On Tomales Bay, there are vault toilets at Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. Reservations may also be made by phone by calling toll free 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). The bay is bounded largely on the west by the Point Reyes National Seashore. Be it a picnic, birthday or boat-in camping trip, we believe that every expedition deserves to be crafted to meet the needs of its participants. His television show on CBS/CW won first place as America's best outdoor recreation show, and his radio show on CBS won first place in 2010 for best environmental feature show in America. This restriction is necessary to reduce the amount of injurious trash in the park and for the protection of visitors who frequent these areas in bare feet. In the morning, we saw hammer sharks, rays swimming in the water while enjoying our breakfast. The road opens up as you pass Nicasio Reservoir (full right now) on the left. His books have sold more than 1 million copies. When these organisms are moved by waves or by the paddle of a kayak or canoe, the light becomes visible, especially on dark nights. (415) 798-2040. Cancel completely. LAWSONS LANDING (707) 878-2443The campground and boat launch are located in Dillon Beach with direct access to Tomales Bay. for your first email from REI. The inn and marina are located on the west side of the bay. Tours leave from multiple locations on Tomales Bay based on tide and weather conditions. An active resort for all ages with onsite beaches, kayak rentals, boat launch, swimming pool, and restaurant. This beach is north of Hearts Desire Beach and has two redwood kotcas (traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelters) on it. Each patron is responsible to contact the office to make arrangements. Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure in Tomales Bay - Virgin Experience Gifts About. If you have questions or ideas about arranging a paddle or an event, were here to help. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. Need something for your next adventure? Tomales Bay is a 15-mile long, 6780-acre tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. This post covers things to do in Tomales Bay along Highway 1, excluding Point Reyes. (415) 798-2040. Use our quick contact form below and well get back to you a.s.a.p. We set up camp while enjoying freshly shucked oysters and music from our waterproof speaker. From the quiet calm of a kayak gliding along the bay. The whaleboat is built to allow light to reflect through the translucent hull. Since Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour are designated as Wilderness, motorized watercraft are prohibited year-round. Boaters may pull up on the southern edge of the beach to access the restrooms and drinking water. It's going to be so much fun! 3 hours total: 30 minutes for on-shore instruction, overview, and life vests and paddle fitting. Tomales Bay State Park provides two sites at which one may launch kayaks onto Tomales Bay: Millerton Point and Hearts Desire Beach. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. (2 kayaks or 3 SUPs can fit on top of any vehicle.) Tomales Bay State Park is composed of 3 distinct use areas: Heart's Desire - Located at 1100 Pierce Point Road, in Inverness, Heart's Desire is the heart of Tomales Bay State Park. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. With this in mind, we have implemented the following cancellation policy: We attempt in all cases to determine prior to your tour launch if weather will impede your trip. Kayak Tomales Bay, Marshall, California - The Outbound Customers get to experience the epic scenery, abundant wildlife and favorable kayaking conditions which make Tomales Bay a world class place to paddle. No overnight parking for boat-in campers is allowed in Point Reyes National Seashore or Tomales Bay State Park. more, Perched directly over the Stables, the Grooms Quarters is a unique vacation rental that provides comfortable and spacious accommodation for friends or family visiting Point Reyes with horses. Tomales Bay is one of the most stunning paddling destinations in California, and Blue Waters Kayaking has multiple options for you to go out and explore on your own via kayak or stand up paddle board: Tomales Bay typically gets higher winds after 12pm, and all rentals must be back by 4:30pm. Kayak Rentals Tomales Bay | Tomales Bay Expeditions Tomales Bay is a narrow, long channel between wooded ridges. Nature's Night Lights National Parks Conservation Association More Information Coming Soon! Loved by Bay Area locals, it's a tucked away spot in the Point Reyes National Seashore for photographers to capture early morning sun rays, or for anyone to get some moments of solitude. No overnight use or beach fires. Our drivers are, We've always been captivated by the sea, and since 1998, we've had the pleasure of, Being a Napa native, I offer small-group services for a more intimate experience,. The night can get cold, so dress in layers. One end opens to the wild swells of the Pacific; at the other end is a tidal marsh, fed by the fresh water of the Lagunitas River. Overnight beach camping is not permitted anywhere else on Tomales Bay or within Point Reyes National Seashore. If you time it right and are paddling at night, you'll also get to experience bioluminescence. A portable toilet is available. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for fish caught here, based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species. If you like beaches, headlands, scenic landscapes, wildflowers, and tons of wildlife viewing, you should give this hike a try. Drain water from watercraft, sponges, bailers, and water-containing devices before leaving water access. TOMALES BAY RESORT (415) 669-1389The Resort and 62-boat marina are located on the west side of the bay. Learn more about dinoflagellates and bioluminescence. 2 2.5 hours of Paddle time. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call. Tomales Bay Expeditions offers guided kayaking tours of Tomales Bay, usually starting in the morning for the best paddling conditions. We pedaled to all the beach nearby. All rentals subject to availability. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 30 meters (100 feet) of the swim area markers. There is very little shade, so make sure to bring some sunscreen. Although it only takes about an hour to complete the out-and-back, the vibe surrounding this area is just begging you to slow down and enjoy your natural surroundings. French influence has of course extended to the local cuisine, which is rich in seafood and delectable desserts. Renters can enjoy the comfort and stability of a large sit-on-top while achieving speeds usually reserved for racing kayaks. The best way to witness these amazing animals? In 2008, he won first place for best outdoors column in America. It's home to harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks, and the majestic tule elk. Hobie pedal-drive kayaks are available in single or double for 4 hours or all-day. If you observe drone use in other National Park Service areas or if you find photographs or videos online or elsewhere that were illegally taken within National Park Service areas from drones, you can report the violation to the National Park Service tip line at 888-653-0009 or by email. Unpaid credit card deposits will be charged. Contact the National Seashore's camping desk at 415-464-5100 x2 x5 if you have any specific questions about overnight camping on Tomales Bay. A crazy sand bar, which almost closes the entrance, causes random surf and pretty chaotic, unpredictable conditions there. Bioluminescence Kayaking in the Bay Area: A Complete Guide Contact Marin County Parks for more information at 415-499-6387. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including shorebirds, elephant seals, and migratory gray whales. This 4 mile paddle is perfect for those with a little bit of prior paddling experience-- we'll bring all the necessary gear and a refresher on kayaking basics before getting started. If you are in the Bay Area, check out California Canoe \u0026 Kayak in Oakland. more, Tomales Bay Resort is located directly on the shores of Tomales Bay. Marshall Beach Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to see wildlife located near Inverness, California. Great, personable service, too!For the record: The yell I emitted after the first capsize is a traditional Bavarian expression of joy, along the lines of: \"I did it!\".For the record 2: The ball mount for the camera had cracked that same day. Miller Boat Launch is located on the east side of Tomales Bay along Highway 1 just north of Nick's Cove, which is ~6.5 km (~4 mi) north of the town of Marshall. ), or speak with a ranger. The whole hike is beautiful. Choose from rooms with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and water views. (Monday through Friday reservations available by ADVANCED RESERVATION - $800 Minimum) Heart's Desire Beach is in our opinion, one of the best launching locations on Tomales Bay. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. There is a day-use fee and overnight-use fee. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? Ocean kayaking is potentially very dangerous. Moderate. If you wash dishes, be aware that all soaps can adversely affect water. No overnight use or beach fires. Inverness, CA 94937, Please enter a number greater than or equal to. After this time no money will be refunded, Within 7 days (including the day of the event): all cancellations and no shows will be charged in full with no refunds or reschedules unless due to inclement weather. Kayaking - Point Reyes Lodging As such, all of our tours (especially night tours) are subject to environmental conditions such as tide and weather. Another area within Point Reyes National Seashore that is sometimes used by kayakers is the open coast. Tomales Bay - Wikipedia Napa Valley Paddle's Bioluminescent kayak touring company offers nature's most illuminating light show in the waters of Tomales Bay on the darkest nights of July, August, September, and October, 2023.