Day use...

Please Note:   New–Fire Regulations Document! Please read this document before visiting Tomales Bay and any national park region.

Access Points on the West Side - South to North

White House Pool
(At the junction of Sir Francis Drake Highway and Bear Valley Road)
http://www.marincountyparks.org

Chemical restroom, parking. Access to the bay is via Papermill Creek. This area is susceptible to tides and low tides may leave the boater stranded in mud. No overnight parking. No charge.

Inverness

Martinelli Park is a tiny grass area adjacent to Inverness Store managed by the community Inverness Association. Restroom outside the store. It is noticeable because of a wrecked fishing boat "Point Reyes". At low tides, this is a shallow mudflat. No overnight parking, parking lot belongs to the grocery store, check for permission.

Golden Hinde Inn and Marina
(Sir Francis Drake Highway)
(415) 669-1389

The marina motel, and restaurant are north of the town of Inverness. A cement launch may be accessed with a fee. Day and overnight parking permitted with fee.

Chicken Ranch Beach
(Sir Francis Drake Highway)

This beach is located on the right/water side of the highway. A pit restroom and off street parking is available. No overnight parking, no charge. Dogs are allowed here.

Tomales Bay State Park
(off Pierce Point Road, right off Sir Francis Drake Highway)
(415) 669-1140
http://www.parks.ca.gov

There are four small beaches in the state park on the west side — Shell, Pebble, Hearts Desire, and Indian Beach. Boaters may land on these beaches for restroom use but no fires or overnight camping are allowed.

Hearts Desire Beach is a day use only area with an entrance fee. You can carry the boat 100 yards from the parking area for a shallow sandy beach access. During the summer orange floats are placed in the water to denote the swimming area where no boats are allowed. You may land on Hearts Desire to the beach south of these floats. Motorized vessels are not allowed within 100' of the swim area markers. Picnic tables, water, restrooms, outdoor shower, hiking trails.

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Marshall Beach
(at the end of L Ranch Road off Pierce Point Road)
Point Reyes National Seashore
http://www.nps.gov/pore/home.htm

A 1.3 mile trail leads from the end of the road to Marshall Beach, steep descent onto the beach. Day use parking only/no overnight parking. Pit restrooms on the beach. Permits must be obtained for boat in only camping on this beach by calling (415) 663-8054. Wood fires permitted with permit from national park visitor centers. No water.

Boat in only national park beaches north of Marshall Beach include Tomales Beach (restroom available) White Gulch (across from Hog Island) Rope Swing Beach (across from LawsonÕs Landing) Blue Gum Beach (closed March 1 - June 30 each year to protect seals) and Avalis Beach.

(You may not dig latrines on any of these beaches. Camping is by permit only from the National Park Service, pack all waste out. No water or dogs on these beaches)

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East Side - South to North

Millerton Point
(Tomales Bay State Park - off Highway 1, ten miles north of Point Reyes Station)
(415) 669-1140
http://www.parks.ca.gov

No overnight parking or beach camping. Picnic tables, pit toilet, and barbecue grilles, no water. Carry boat approximately 100 yards to beach. The bay is very shallow here and underground pilings exist from a historic dock. Access is best for boaters at high tides.

Miller County Park (known as Nicks Cove)
(Highway 1 past the town of Marshall)
(415) 499-6387
http://www.marincountyparks.org

A cement boat launch and pier. Pit restrooms, no water. Fee for day or overnight parking. Kayakers generally launch from the furthest north point of the parking lot. Watch for tides as the boat launch is very shallow.

Lawsons Landing
(West of the town of Tomales)
(707) 878-2443
http://www.lawsonslanding.com

The northernmost access on the east side of Tomales Bay. Campground and sand beach boat launch with fees. Dump station, gas and boat rentals.

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In the Bay

Two small islands are in the northern portion of Tomales Bay - Hog Island and Duck Island.

Hog Island is the larger island covered with trees. It has a large sand spit on the east side, an important seal haul out. No day use is permitted on the east side but boaters may access the west side, across from White Gulch for day use. Beach fires are permitted but you must obtain a beach fire permit from national park visitor centers. No camping or digging latrines, pack out all waste.

Duck Island is primarily accessible at low tides for day use only.

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