At Tomales Bay Expeditions safety is our top priority; conditions on Tomales Bay can vary and we call on our years of experience to determine the best times and places to paddle. Tours - Blue Waters Kayaking, Point Reyes California Call us today! 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. Quebec is an immense land of mountains and water and an ideal location for sea kayaking. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. At the end of the tunnel, you'll find the historic RCA/Marconi Station. If you want to get to know this area like a local there is no better way then to book a guided tour with us! The island is open on the west side only for day use. No dump station. Tomales Bay Expeditions now offers rentals of high performance pedal-drive kayaks. Walk-Ins available from 9-3pm based on availability of boats & parking. The California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the Tomales Bay State Park General Plan at its May 14, 2004 meeting in Santa Rosa. This often involves considerable work on our part to make sure that the right equipment is ready for you at the right place and time. We schedule these trips during the most ideal viewing conditions. Wittenberg, Olema Valley, Inverness Ridge and Tomales Bay. Please check in at the Bear Valley Visitor Center prior to a trip in order to get updated information on closures or conditions. 2. No overnight use or beach fires. Photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes. Bioluminescence is mother nature at its spectacular best. 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. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? Contacts: Blue Waters Kayaking, (415) 669-2600, www.bwkayak.com. Timed during the lowest crescent of the moon, and starting around sunset, you will paddle into . The very first outing with my new kayak, a Current Designs Solstice GT Titan, took me to the mouth of Tomales Bay. Overnight use of Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour is prohibited. Tomales Bay State Park This beach is north of Hearts Desire Beach and has two redwood kotcas (traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelters) on it. 10 Best Rivers To Paddle In Quebec - Paddling Magazine It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. Bring your own fresh water for cooking and drinking, as there are few water sources emptying into the bay on the west side. Tomales Bay Kayak Tour | Kayaking Classes & Events - REI TOMALES BAY RESORT (415) 669-1389The Resort and 62-boat marina are located on the west side of the bay. Kayak Tomales Bay for amazing views of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Call us today! Beach fires are prohibited on state park beaches. Avalis BeachThe northernmost westside beach of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Tomales Bay SP - CA State Parks We look forward to hearing from you. Tomales Bay Expeditions Kayak Trips Rentals Tours We can (and often do) turn away others from that particular date (or trip). ~If you are on a phone and having trouble viewing this map, click on the icon in the upper right hand corner of the map to view this map on Google Maps.~. Point Reyes Outdoors (415) 663-8192Blue Waters Kayaking (415) 669-2600. Cement boat ramp available. There are six locations at which kayaks or other watercraft may be launched onto Tomales Bay: Unpaid credit card deposits will be charged. Overnight beach camping is not permitted anywhere else on Tomales Bay or elsewhere within Point Reyes National Seashore. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. 15% gratuity and 5% Point Reyes National Seashore fee is included in the ticket price. Menu Close Home; Rentals Open menu. During this time, you will also have the opportunity to seek local knowledge of the area from our experienced staff. Tomales Bay Guided Kayak Tours | Tomales Bay Expeditions No overnight parking is permitted. Contact the National Seashore reservation office at (415) 663-8054 for reservations and to place your name on the mailing list for information. Other sections of the coast are kayaked, but they are not as sheltered from the prevailing wind and ocean swell, and are therefore much more dangerous. How to get to Marshall: At Point Reyes Station, turn right on Highway 1 and drive 8.4 miles to Marshall and Blue Waters Kayaking at 19225 Shoreline Highway. Tomales Bay Expeditions offers specialized, small scale kayaking tours and rentals on the beautiful Tomales Bay. 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. Tomales Bay Expeditions (Marshall) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor That year he was also awarded as Far West Ski Writer of the Year. Watch especially for tides and currents in this area. PRICING INCLUDES A $20 NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING FEE. If you time it right and are paddling at night, you'll also get to experience bioluminescence. We look forward to hearing from you. We offer various kayak rental options from our launch location at the Tomales Bay Resort. There is likely underwater currents that can be very dangerous. Headlamp with RED light, drinking water, towel, whistle. Tomales Bay, at 12 miles long, is the largest protected bay in Point Reyes National Seashore. - 2D & 3D Existing Plans, Established in June of 1978, High Sierra Water Ski School is located on the pristine, We offer hassle free insured drivers for your rental or personal car. Orange floats are placed to mark the swimming area during the summer. Movements from a swimming fish, the stroke of a paddle to displaced water from the hull of your kayak can excite the organisms causing a shimmering burst of fluorescent green-blue light. Tomales Bay State Park: Heart's Desire Beach. This hike will take you through the Tule Elk Preserve in Point Reyes Nation Seashore, and offers fantastic views of Bodega and Tomales Bay, as well as the Pacific Ocean. Only 24 Spots are Available. For families, we may have the whale boat available depending on weather conditions. There is a day-use fee and overnight-use fee. Tomales Bay Day Rentals; Tomales Bay Camping (. Whether you plan to spend a few hours or a few days on the bay, this is a great starting point. Plenty of car parking is available for guests. Tomales Bay Expeditions are available year around and our schedules fill quickly, so why not register today? Triples also available. Dog friendly options. How to get to Inverness: At Point Reyes Station, turn left on Highway 1 and drive 0.8 of a mile (stay on Highway 1 at signed turns) to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Our guided tour will take you through areas where your kayak paddle creates long stretches of glowing bioluminescent for the longest time. Point Reyes Station Overnight beach camping is not permitted anywhere else on Tomales Bay or within Point Reyes National Seashore. The Tomales Bay State Park General Plan. more, Set on a peaceful ten acre farm in Olema, youll love the spacious rooms with views and fireplaces, cooked breakfasts and panoramic views of Mt. Rinse watercraft, trailer, and equipment with high pressure hot water, when possible. The inn and marina are located on the west side of the bay. A pit toilet is available for use. Nestled along the west shore of Tomales Bay, Chicken Ranch Beach County Park is a three-acre natural area adjacent to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.8 km (1.2 miles) north of Inverness. The park is more, A secluded Mediterranean-style bed and breakfast in a quiet pastoral setting looking out on the Inverness Ridge and West Marins beautiful rolling hills youll love the vineyard views, serene koi pond and wine tasting room. Must be comfortable and confident in water with up to 18" wind swell. It takes an hour to an hour and a half to get there. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. If camping on other beaches, you are required to pack out all human waste using a portable toilet or similar commercially designed waste disposal containers that can be emptied into an RV dump station or pit toilet, or a GO anywhere toilet kit (formerly sold as WAG Bags). (The venue for each class will be wind, weather, and tide dependent.) There is gas, dump station, and boat rentals. Lawson's Landing's campground and boat launch are located in Dillon Beach with direct access to the north end of Tomales Bay. Winter Kayaking & Birding Tours with David Wimpfheimer: Sundays December 29, 2013 and January 19, 2014. . You must carry your boat approximately 100 yards across a sandy beach. Tour Date: March 18th, 2023. Other temporary or seasonal closures may be in effect at different times due to breeding populations of marine mammals, shorebirds, or seabirds. No Rack? Overnight parking is permitted in the upper lot, to the right/north as you pull in. It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. A pit toilet is available. This area can get busy so reservations are strongly suggested. Reyes Station, Inverness, Tomales, Marshall, and Dillon Beach in the north where Tomales Bay meets Bodega Bay. The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. Given that good weather often attracts a large volume of paddlers to our area, we recommend making reservations in advance whenever possible. Indian BeachThis beach is north of Hearts Desire and has a redwood kotca, a traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelter on it. 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. Go to our Camping page if youre interested in boat-in camping. ), or speak with a ranger. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure you are confident from beginning to end. Included in the Total Price below: Kayak or SUP and all necessary gear, 10% of your rental supports the California State Parks, and 5% is a non-refundable booking fee. 1 Bear Valley Road Hog IslandThe island is in the northern section of Tomales Bay across from Whites Gulch on the west side and Nicks Cove on the east side. We searched for bioluminescent but it was hard to see that night even though there was no moon. We offer kayak expeditions, tours, rentals and special event hosting. It covers just north of Point Reyes Station up to the town of Tomales, California. Kayak, paddles, life jacket, on-shore instruction & overview. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 30 meters (100 feet) of the swim area markers. . Promptly was tipped over by a wave, and -- believe it or not -- managed the first successful high brace. To help control the spread of non-native plants and animals, please: NPSWilderness has produced three videos entitled Wilderness Calling: Point Reyes, Wilderness Motion: Point Reyes, and Wilderness Visions: Point Reyes featuring images and sounds from the Phillip Burton Wilderness within Point Reyes National Seashore, in addition to two videos about NPS wilderness: America's Wilderness and Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics which kayakers and other visitors to Point Reyes may find of interest. You can even check out our instructional video on how to load a kayak on your car by clicking HERE. We departed from Chicken Ranch Beach, which is on the west side of Tomales Bay. No restrooms or water. Campers on Tomales Bay beaches must arrive by boat and may not hike, bike, or ride horses to the beaches. Tomales Bay, CA. The General Plan establishes the long-range vision for the park and recommends how to protect and improve the park's natural, cultural, and recreational values . more, Tomales Bay Resort is located directly on the shores of Tomales Bay. We look forward to hearing from you. Hobie Mirage-Drive kayaks use a patented mechanism to transmit leg power onto the water, creating a method of propulsion which is far more powerful and efficient. Turn left on Point Reyes Petaluma Road and drive 3 miles (past Nicasio Reservoir) to a stop sign and junction (Platform Bridge Road on left). (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. The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. THERE IS NO WATER FOR BOAT IN CAMPERS ON TOMALES BAY, BRING YOUR OWN. Please wait until you are in West Marin before purchasing fire wood. His books have sold more than 1 million copies. The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. Call us today! If you like beaches, headlands, scenic landscapes, wildflowers, and tons of wildlife viewing, you should give this hike a try. MARSHALL, CA. In seconds, you will change what you see and transform how you feel. Per the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), the waters within 305 meters (1000 feet) of shore along the Point Reyes Headlands is closed to all vessels from Chimney Rock west to Longitude 123 01.00'. Tomales Bay is a hotspot for bioluminescence. There are a various outfitters who will include rental and guides. When the weather forecast took a turn for the worse leading up to my outing, Cooper and his team were great about . No overnight use or beach fires. 415-464-5100 Choose from rooms with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and water views. Turn right (still Point Reyes Petaluma Road) and drive 3.1 miles to Highway 1. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. 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. If you wash dishes, be aware that all soaps can adversely affect water. Kayak camping is a unique way to extend your stay on the water and experience the natural beauty of Tomales Bay by night. You sit in the pocket, enveloped by water, and in a few quick strokes, you find out what freedom is all about. No overnight camping or beach fires. From: $270. 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. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. 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. There are also 91-meter (300-foot) special closures around Point Resistance and Double Point/Stormy Stack, per the MLPA. If you plan to make this an overnight trip, check out Kayak Camping in Pt. Option & Pricing: Select Package & Pricing Option. Your Safety While Boating - Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S Boaters may land to the south of the orange floats. Recreational use of Tomales Bay has grown in recent years especially for camping, boating, and wildlife watching. Note: The best access point for a walk or to fish from shore is off Point Reyes Petaluma Road. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, three miles north of Point Reyes Station. The bay is bounded largely on the west by the Point Reyes National Seashore. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Want to get away for an invigorating outdoorsy vacation? 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. Tandem Kayak - A kayak with two paddlers paddling the same boat. Included in the rental fee is a short introductory kayak lesson, directions on where to go and what to see, as well as your paddling equipment such as paddle, life vest, and a wet suit. There is a dump station and boat rentals. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. We paddled across the bay, subject to scrutiny by . Blue Gum BeachThere will be seasonal closures on this beach to protect harbor seal pupping. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Tour length is normally 3 hours (longer tours available by request) and includes paddling instruction. It is a day-use area (no overnight parking) and there is a day-use fee. As such, personal water craft (PWC) such as a Jetski or Waverunner are not permitted on Tomales Bay. The National Park Service at Point Reyes is concerned about the effects of the growth in recreational use. Tomales Bay Day Rentals - Blue Waters Kayaking Kayak rentals: Full-day single kayaks, $70; full-day double kayaks, $110; available for two, four, 24, 36 and 48 hours. This beach has restrooms, so keep that in mind when you head up. Even though white sharks visit the waters near the mouths of Tomales Bay and Drakes Estero, the chances of being attacked by a white shark is extremely small. All rentals subject to availability. 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. 12948 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? Beaches on this map Kilkenny Beach