Tomales Bay State Park

Robert Gray

2023-05

The drive from Inverness through Tomales Park to the lighthouse is one of the most beautiful in the world with lots of stopping points along the way to park, get out, and enjoy the view. It looks like plenty of hiking trails too though we stuck to the road other than walking out to South Beach, to look out near lighthouse where we saw the seals far below, and then various short walks near the lighthouse. Just spectacular. Sunny weekday day in mid March was beautiful with hardly anyone around so super easy to park and drive around.

Jeramie Graef

2023-08

Hearts desire Beach. Parking was full at the bottom. Park at the top, and it's a 1/4 mile down to the beach. Not bad at all. There is plenty of room. Take a paddle board or kayak instead of renting. The water was nice for swimming. Head north on water to see so much goodness. And the wind will help you float back to the beach.

Caroline Buster-Brown

2023-05

Went sea kayaking with Team River Runner and ETC who help disabled vets & others go enjoy the water, and camped overnight. Beautiful trip. Overcast but not cold, saw bioluminescent algae on a night paddle, tons of moon jellyfish. Started at Hearts Desire beach. Great trip.Playground: No playground at Hearts Desire beach but that doesn't stop plenty of play! Grassy area where you can set up games and play, and swim area at nice sandy beach with platform out by buoys.Restrooms: Restrooms at hearts desire and pit privy at beach we paddled to. Ask ahead if need to know.Dog-friendliness: It's no dogs allowed I'm afraid, so only service dogs are around.Picnic area: There are picnic tables at Hearts Desire beach, and I saw some on other beaches so ask a guide from one of the group's there or the kiosk where you get parking passes.

Angela Kelley

2023-05

We went to Shell Beach at the recommendation of a local who said it was the best beach on the West Coast. Well, just like everything when it comes to traveling - it is relative to what the person has seen and experienced. It is a cute, not touristy, tucked away bay-side beach. We hiked down about a 5 minute walk and had lunch while we watched the waves. It is pretty but it wasn't take-your-breath-away pretty to us.

T K

2023-05

If you have small children this is a great beach.Wading and swimming in shallow water on 1/2 of the clean, compact beach.Plenty of picnic tables and shade.Clean restrooms are close.

Tula Gourdin

2021-05

Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay State Park. Lovely petite beach on Tomales Bay with clean facilities, picnic tables, kayak ramp, lawn. Easy access to two trails. One is partially self-guided with signage along the trail (see photos). There is a usage fee ($8 and $7) for the day. Fabulous family get away.

Kishore Hari

2020-05

A small, often overlooked park at the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore. Most come for the Hearts Desire Beach, but make the trek on the Jepson Trail loop - well worth the time. Plus, it brings you to the less crowded Pebble Beach if you want to get away.

Josh Furnald

2022-05

This state park is serene at 8:00 a.m. however, by about 10:30 it's full of families and children and the picnic tables are all taken. You can grill near the beach if you get here early enough. There's a few miles of extremely accessible hiking that can offer solitude later in the day. Perfect place to launch a kayak or SUP. The cove is protected from the wind, typically and a good spot for beginners even with a medium wind. I often see people fishing here too......

Rachel Haverlah

2019-05

This is a real gem! I love this whole park, especially the picnic area! Great views, lots of space and bbqs and trails. Hearts desire beach is here. Fee is $8, there is a kiosk that accepts credit cards. Dogs allowed in upper picnic area.

Ben Matthews

2021-05

Heart’s Desire beach in Tómales Bay State Park is one of our favourite spots. A safe, gently sloping beach, picnic benches and barbecues make it perfect for an all day trip. Also has flushing toilets. Fantastic place to launch kayaks or stand up paddle boards. Get there early as the small main parking lot fills up on a nice day, though there is a large additional lot a short walk away.

Gersain Blas

2021-05

The scenery here is beautiful. Several things that you can do at this park include hiking, picnicking, swimming, clamming and boating. The park includes forests, beaches, field, hills, meadows and marshes.

Sara Coon

2023-05

Where your hearts desire beach, very pretty Biden beach would be great if it was less crowded.Dog-friendliness: No dogs aloudPicnic area: Nice picnic areas with bbqs for use

Marissa Maxfield

2023-10

So beautiful, trails are a little overgrown but they aren't hard, I'd say they are beginner trails, with only one steep incline that I saw. They have a raised wooden section going from Shell Beach to Hearts Desire that's really cool. Plenty of picnic tables accessible from the parking lot, plus a bathroomRestrooms: One near the beach and picnic areasDog-friendliness: Dogs on leash, only in the picnic areas, not allowed on trailsPicnic area: Was pretty big and spread out, with grills provided

robdude1969

2018-05

This review is for Shell Beach - Great little twin beaches with sand bars and trees for shade. Dogs not allowed. Persons should remain on leash as posted. The closest street address is 255 Camino Del Mar with a parking lot and short trail to the beach.

Dobby Roggy

2021-05

Me and my wife went there for our anniversary last week beautiful plus we hooked into a couple little leopard sharks fun little time but definitely loved it and we will be returning in the future a lot

Devin Ramdutt

2018-05

Easy kayaking access from Hearts Desire beach. Only $8 entrance fee and plenty of parking on a weekday. I can imagine this place would be very busy on the weekend in mid summer.

Roger Robles

2023-05

What a gorgeous place to lounge & picnic with friends & family! The views, the trails, and the beach are amazing.Restrooms: Clean restrooms! 👌🏽Picnic area: Clean picnic areas with charcoal grills & tables.

Jay

2022-05

Bay Area Native but I hadn't been here for a while. If you've forgotten what a pristine natural setting looks like (very quiet with no trash or leaf blowers), this is a good spot with an easy hike. If you already live in Marin County, then you're used to this. :p

Martha Lear. Real Estate & California Hot spots!

2020-05

A beautiful bay with lots of outdoor activity possibilities!...camping, hiking, kayaking, boating, paddleboarding, swimming and fishing. Not to mention..... The place to get fresh oysters served daily at the surrounding restaurants

rainnelegend

2020-05

It's a beautiful place and well worth a visit. The water is nice and the trails are well maintained. Only issue is this place can be extremely crowded and the bathroom is disgusting.

Raven Feather

2023-07

This Heart's Desire. There is a ranger station and the fee is $8.00. The beach has a bathroom, two handicap port-a-potties, a water fountain, a few picnic tables, and grills.This is a beautiful beach. Please be courteous to others at this beach. It is a small beach. The parking lot is small. There is an overflow parking to the right when you come to the left turn to the beach parking. Dogs are not permitted on Heart's Desire Beach.Restrooms: Yes, there are bathrooms. If women would please be courteous to others, don't overflow the toilet, leave your excrement (feces) in the toilets, and if you pee on the seats, wipe it. Parents teach your girls how to clean up after themselves in bathrooms. Please, don't pee on the floor.Picnic area: There are a few picnic tables. There are no shade covering.

Adriana Starr

2020-05

So many trails beaches lots of fun great place to have a day getaway and picnic

dale kerrigan

2020-05

Beautiful quiet pocket beaches usually protected from the wind. Some nice trails with views.

Michael Moore

2023-11

Nice and small beaches with trails between through forested areas good for kayaking and swimming in warmer months

miguel sanchez

2021-05

So beautiful being at the Bay the water the ocean coming in and out the Bay the rolling hills the birds flying and landing on the water so peaceful

Elza Zaza Beneda

2017-05

Awesome!:) It's a good place for picnics,sight seeing,trail and walking distance to the beach!:)

Brandon Nolte

2019-05

Amazing park great nature. Madrone cabins are awesome. Old guy running the madrone cabins this year is grumpy but fair. Overall awesome.

ਸਤਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ

2021-05

Love the views and there is trails connecting all beaches in this area

Maxx Kumiski

2022-05

Just go. It's so pretty! Great picnic spots along the beach and with a view.

Ruslan B (Ruson)

2019-05

The best place to kayak. Wonderful and quiet area.