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Tomales Point Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.6 (87)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Bay Area
  4. …Marin County
  5. Point Reyes National Seashore
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“A trail with spectacular coastal views and probable elk sightings. ”

Megan W
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Map Key

9.8

Miles

15.7

KM

Out and Back

534' 163 m

High

83' 25 m

Low

996' 304 m

Up

996' 304 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly You don't have to make it all the way to the point to have a great time on this trail. Given that the trail cuts through the elk preserve, kids are sure to catch a glimpse of these majestic animals.

Overview

The Tomales Point Trail travels along the ridgeline towards the northernmost tip of the peninsula offering amazing views of the Pacific coastline and down into Tomales Bay. The wide former ranch road passes through scrub and grasses with only minor hills to climb.

Description

The parking for the Tomales Point Trail is on the site of the Pierce Ranch house and dairy barn where locally famous butter was produced starting in 1858. The dairy products were shipped to San Francisco from a dock in Tomales Bay.

This mellow trail is an out-and-back, so you can turn around at any point. The "official" doubletrack trail ends after a long descent to the Lower Pierce Ranch near a pond and grove of eucalyptus. An "unofficial" singletrack trail continues on to vista point at the very tip from which you can see Bird Rock (to the west) and Bodega Head (to the east). The trail becomes fainter the further you go towards the bluffs.

If you stay long enough, in a few millennia you'll become detached from California - the San Andreas fault runs under Tomales Bay, taking Pt. Reyes north on its tectonic plate away from California's southbound plate. Another word to the wise: check the weather for a clear day, as fog frequently obscures the views. It is also windier and colder on the coast. Note: bikes are not allowed on this trail.

Flora & Fauna

This trail is located within the Pt. Reyes Nat. Seashore elk preserve so you are nearly guaranteed to see some of the ~450 native tule elk which live here. In September the male elk are in their rut, so listen for bugling and crashing antlers. Elephant seals congregate on the beaches below in February and March. Other wildlife include mountain lion, raccoon, rabbits, birds non-venomous snakes. Wildflowers (especially poppies, iris and lupine) are abundant April-June.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Point Reyes National Seashore

Shared By:

Megan W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 87 votes

#1

in Point Reyes National Seashore

#68

Overall
  4.6 from 87 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Point Reyes National S…

#7

in California

#68

Overall
58 Views Last Month
14,603 Since Jan 30, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
8%
8%
78%
3%
4%
0%
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Photos

Tule elk male, Tule Elk Reserve, Tomales Bay
Sep 1, 2015 near Inverness, CA
Tomales Point at Pt. Reyes
Apr 3, 2019 near Inverness, CA
View from Tomales Point
Jul 16, 2018 near Bodega Bay, CA
Tule Elk
Jul 16, 2018 near Bodega Bay, CA
Tomales Point
Feb 12, 2015 near Bodega Bay, CA
Tomales Bluffs
Jul 16, 2018 near Bodega Bay, CA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 27, 2023
Irene Beusch
lots of elk 9.7mi — 4h 00m
Sep 1, 2023
Elizabeth Peloquin
Jul 15, 2023
Slow Horse
Apr 6, 2023
Hyungon Kim
Feb 18, 2023
Gabriela Bushway
Just beautiful
Nov 25, 2022
Manoj Abey
10mi — 5h 30m
Oct 2, 2022
Ken Kang
Apr 28, 2022
Tom H

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