Tomales Point Hike - spectacular views
Solstice Hike to Tomales Point: Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
Distance: 9.4 miles round-trip.
Elevation Gain: Some slight ups and downs.
Trail Difficulty: Moderate to easy.
Wildlife: Tule elk are common.
Scenery: Spectacular views of Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Time: Allow 4-6 hours for the hike.
Parking: Parking lot at the trailhead.
Restrooms: Available at the McClures Beach parking lot (downhill from the trailhead).
Pets: Not allowed on the trail.
This 9.4 mile hike starts from the Tomales Point Trailhead by passing along the west side of Pierce Ranch before veering west through coastal scrub to the top of tall coastal bluffs. This trail rambles along the crest of an open ridge as it follows an old ranch road northwest. It offers spectacular views of Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It is also a prime wildlife viewing trail, as it traverses through an area where most hikers see tule elk. The Tomales Point Trail is an out-and-back trail, so it provides visitors with the flexibility to choose how long they want to make their adventure.
We will be starting this hike a little later, at 1:30 pm, because we want a chance for the fog to burn off. The full hike will take 4-6 hours depending on your pace, which will leave you plenty of time to get a solstice dinner in Pt Reyes station.
The first mile of the trail is fairly level and broad, with views looking west over the Pacific Ocean. This is an opportune section of the trail to be on for sunset (so long as fog doesn't obscure the view). One can catch the sun setting ""into"" the ocean and still have enough twilight to walk back to one's vehicle before dark.
After 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) with very little change in elevation, the trail drops a bit into a saddle, called Windy Gap, at the head of White Gulch. This is a good location from which to view tule elk gathered at a perennial spring in the gulch below. Looking beyond White Gulch, one has a view of Hog Island in Tomales Bay. This is a good destination at which to turn around for visitors wanting to do a shorter hike.
Continuing north on the trail, one begins to ascend along the ridge crest to the highest location along the trail, located approximately 2.25 miles (3.6 km) from the trailhead. If you don't want to sweat much on the return hike, turn around here. Beyond this ""peak"", the trail descends rather steeply over the next 0.75 miles (1.2 km). But, if you are willing to proceed, you will soon arrive at a stock pond at the site of the Lower Pierce Ranch where elk, herons, and ducks can usually be seen. If you have yet to see elk, you'll likely see some here. Turn around here if you desire a 6-mile (~10 km) round-trip hike.
Beyond the Lower Pierce Ranch site, it is 1.7 miles to the tip of Tomales Point, but the trail is unmaintained, sandy, and is often overgrown. Long pants and long sleeves are advised. Fog and wind can limit visibility and make this hike more challenging; along some stretches it can be difficult to recognize which path to follow among the bush lupine. But the myriad paths tend to reconnect and ultimately merge into one path along the last half mile (0.8 km) of the ""trail.""
An important note: Please stay on the main trail and away from the cliff tops. Bluffs along the California coast are inherently unstable. As an example, in January 2017, part of the bluff at the northern end of Tomales Point collapsed with no warning. As a result, a section of the Tomales Point Trail is no more. If you plan on hiking to Tomales Point, please be mindful of these hazards. Be aware of your surroundings and stay back from the edge. Many of the cliffs around Point Reyes are unstable and prone to slides or collapse, especially in wet weather. It is very dangerous to climb or walk along the edge of cliffs.
Put "McClure's Beach trailhead' into your GPS. If you are willing to share your email information, I will publish a list of all the attendees if anyone cares to carpool. If you can get to the Larkspur ferry, I can take a couple of people in my own car.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
1:30pm - 5:30pm PT
HCSF Members: Free
Non Members: $10 Not a member? Register here for membership!
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Event Organizer:
Alexandra Morehouse
alexandra.morehouse@gmail.com