Note: All paddlers must be a minimum of 5 years of age and 50 pounds in weight. These guys were exceedingly polite, professional, and communicative. A pit toilet is available. - 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. Liz and I were drifting in a double kayak on Tomales Bay, the long, skinny slice of seawater that sits next to California's Point Reyes National Seashore. Other temporary or seasonal closures may be in effect at different times due to breeding populations of marine mammals, shorebirds, or seabirds. All reservations are subject to a 5% non-refundable handling fee at the time of booking. It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. 12948 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, Disposing of human waste in the bay or onto park beaches is prohibited. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 100 of the swim area markers. 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. Please check in at the Bear Valley Visitor Center prior to a trip in order to get updated information on closures or conditions. Photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for fish caught here, based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species. The island is open on the west side only for day use. 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. With this in mind, we have implemented the following cancellation policy: We attempt in all cases to determine prior to your tour launch if weather will impede your trip. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Want to get away for an invigorating outdoorsy vacation? One thing th Just north of San Francisco, there's a row of giant Monterey cypress trees that forms a tree tunnel. This is it! Tomales Bay is the body of water that separates Point Reyes and the Marin coastline. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. They also offer great classes, bioluminescent tours, and suggestions for . Tomales Bay has become well known recently as a great place to see planktonic bioluminescense at night. It takes an hour to an hour and a half to get there. 1 Bear Valley Road 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. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. If you like beaches, headlands, scenic landscapes, wildflowers, and tons of wildlife viewing, you should give this hike a try. Campers on Tomales Bay beaches must arrive by boat and may not hike, bike, or ride horses to the beaches. Blue Waters Kayaking, Point Reyes California. And again, I did not go under.I love this boat already, after the very first afternoon! Copyright 2023Tomales Bay Expeditions ‐ All Rights Reserved. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, three miles north of Point Reyes Station. Take that exit 0.3 of a mile to a stop sign, turn left on Lucas Valley Road and drive 10.4 miles to Nicasio Valley Road. Tours leave from various locations depending on tidal conditions. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure you are confident from beginning to end. more, A peaceful, stylish retreat set in four private acres of orchards and open space, Point Reyes Country Inn welcomes guests to spacious, beautifully furnished rooms, gourmet breakfasts and the tranquility of the West Marin countryside. (415) 798-2040. 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. 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. Hobie pedal-drive kayaks are available in single or double for 4 hours or all-day. Wear comfortable synthetic clothes as they dry faster. His television show on CBS/CW won first place as America's best outdoor recreation show, and his radio show on CBS won first place in 2010 for best environmental feature show in America. We jumped in our kayaks and headed north in the bay for a quick breather at Heart's Desire Beach. The kayak trip is limited to the darkest nights of the new moon phases in Summer and fall; hence sells out quickly. Recreational use of Tomales Bay has grown in recent years especially for camping, boating, and wildlife watching. His books have sold more than 1 million copies. Tomales Bay is a hotspot for bioluminescence. The California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the Tomales Bay State Park General Plan at its May 14, 2004 meeting in Santa Rosa. His first novel, "The Sweet Redemption, An Inspector Korg Mystery," was released for 2013. There is likely underwater currents that can be very dangerous. We offer various kayak rental options from our launch location at the Tomales Bay Resort. I worked with them to organize two trips out on the bay during September's new moon. The area is world-renowned for bioluminescence tours in California. Pit toilets are available, no water. Kayak rentals: Full-day single kayaks, $70; full-day double kayaks, $110; available for two, four, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Rent top gear from your local REI Co-op. Tour Date: March 18th, 2023. Tomales Bay Expeditions offers specialized, small scale kayaking tours and rentals on the beautiful Tomales Bay. ), or speak with a ranger. Our rental fleet consists of open deck double and single kayaks hand selected to match the conditions on the bay. Restrooms and water available. This restriction is necessary to reduce the amount of injurious trash in the park and for the protection of visitors who frequent these areas in bare feet. Contact Lawson's Landing for more information at 707-878-2443. 4.7. The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. The most frequently used section of the coast by kayakers is in Drakes Bay from Chimney Rock to Limantour Beach. If you have questions or ideas about arranging a paddle or an event, were here to help. No overnight camping or beach fires. When the weather forecast took a turn for the worse leading up to my outing, Cooper and his team were great about . The National Park Service at Point Reyes is concerned about the effects of the growth in recreational use. In 2008, he won first place for best outdoors column in America. (37 Reviews ) Experience one of nature's most spectacular light shows as you paddle through the glowing waters of Tomales Bay during this Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure! It is the emission of light by microorganisms undersea called marine dinoflagellate or plankton. No camping, overnight parking, or beach fires. Off-site rentals, $75 all day on weekdays, $115 on weekends. If you time it right and are paddling at night, you'll also get to experience bioluminescence. Launching, landing, or operating a remotely operated aircraft (aka "remotely piloted aircraft," "unmanned aircraft," or "drone") from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Point Reyes National Seashore is prohibited. Boaters may pull up on the southern edge of the beach to access the restrooms and drinking water. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. Tomales Bay is a 24-kilometer (15-mile) long, 2645-hectare (6780-acre) tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. It is usually seen as sparkles or a glow around anything which disturbs the water Paddle strokes, the wake of a kayak or even a fish will leave a beautiful trail of light. more, An exceptionally peaceful Inn set atop a bluff looking out over an iconic view of rolling grasslands, Tomales Bay and Inverness Ridge guests come here for the spectacular view, privacy and deep serenity. If you observe drone use in Point Reyes National Seashore, please call park dispatch at 415-464-5170 or contact staff at the nearest Visitor Center as soon as possible. The directions are set for Miller Boat Launch in Marshall, but if you choose an outfitter to with they'll select a launch site for you. Prior to launching, each customer will be provided a tutorial including information about the equipment and the rules and regulations of kayaking on Tomales Bay. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 30 meters (100 feet) of the swim area markers. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. The island is in the northern section of Tomales Bay across from Whites Gulch on the west side and Nicks Cove on the east side. Please understand that when a reservation is made with Blue Waters Kayaking, it is a commitment on our part to hold seats in a kayak for you. Map of Estero closures (299 KB PDF). Please explore responsibly! We will use our decades of experience in this area to make sure you have a safe, enlightening and . Boil, treat, or filter any water obtained from streams, creeks, springs, etc.. (2 kayaks or 3 SUPs can fit on top of any vehicle.) Tom has hiked 25,000 miles, caught world-record fish, led dozens of expeditions and taken part in all phases of the outdoor experience. To protect harbor seals from disturbance during the most crucial part of the pupping season, from March 1 through June 30 the National Park Service closes Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero to boating. We set up camp while enjoying freshly shucked oysters and music from our waterproof speaker. Disclaimer: The National Park Service provides the names, links, and phone numbers of area businesses as a visitor convenience. The bay is largely bounded on the west by Point Reyes National Seashore. PRICING INCLUDES A $20 NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING FEE. Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov. The paddle, Part 2: At Marshall, on the east side of Tomales Bay, arrive early, before the wind comes up, and enjoy the morning flat-water trip across the bay to the western shore at Point Reyes National Seashore. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? Kayak, paddles, life jacket, on-shore instruction & overview. In the morning, we saw hammer sharks, rays swimming in the water while enjoying our breakfast. Blue Gum BeachThere will be seasonal closures on this beach to protect harbor seal pupping. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your At Tomales Bay Expeditions our goal is to ensure that your experience on the water is both safe and satisfying. The bay is bounded largely on the west by the Point Reyes National Seashore. Stand-up paddleboards: On-site rentals, $25 per hour . No overnight use or beach fires. Please wait until you are in West Marin before purchasing fire wood. Inverness, CA 94937, Please enter a number greater than or equal to. Even if you aren't camping, feel free to download our Tomales Bay Boat-in Camping Map (1,798 KB PDF), which shows the locations of some launch sites, beaches, and other useful landmarks to help you navigate around the bay. Overnight parking is in the upper lot, to the right as you pull in. Medium rigor. Overnight parking is permitted in the upper lot, to the right/north as you pull in. hoping to witness the phenomenon before winter weather ended bioluminescent viewing season and made nighttime trips too dangerous. As such, it is important to minimize our impacts and Leave No Trace of our visits to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore. The paddle, Part 1: At Inverness, on the west side of Tomales Bay, you are largely sheltered from the prevailing spring winds out of the northwest. No dump station. 2. Triples also available. 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. MARSHALL, CA. All of our night tours have some chance of seeing bioluminescense, however there are many factors which effect its density and brightness. Dog friendly options. Timed during the lowest crescent of the moon, and starting around sunset, you will paddle into . Come visit our launch location at the northern end of the Tomales Bay Resort in Inverness. Cancel completely. There are stunning National Parks, spectacular mountains, free-flowing rivers and at the center of our adventure, the glacial-carved Saguenay Fjord. This Marin County park has a public boat launch with cement grade into the water, restrooms, and a pier. There is a dump station and boat rentals. Need something for your next adventure? ), or speak with a ranger. Start at the Tomales Point Trailhead near the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. (415) 798-2040. Reservations may also be made by phone by calling toll free 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). Some of the Tomales Bay beaches that are open for overnight camping to those who have a current and valid permit are (listed from south to north): Marshall BeachOn the west side of Tomales Bay across from the town of Marshall. Tomales Bay State Park: Heart's Desire Beach. From here we offer kayak rentals for walk-ins and by reservation. Tomales Bay Expeditions now offers rentals of high performance pedal-drive kayaks. Shane C. said: I truly can't say enough about this place! That year he was also awarded as Far West Ski Writer of the Year. There is very little shade, so make sure to bring some sunscreen. Instead, take Lucas Valley Road. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. This beach has restrooms, so keep that in mind when you head up. Inverness, CA 94937, Please enter a number greater than or equal to. The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. Located in the historic village of Inverness, minutes from restaurants and Point Reyes National Seashore, youll enjoy exceptional privacy, tranquility and unmatched views of the bay. Tour length is normally 3 hours (longer tours available by request) and includes paddling instruction. An active resort for all ages with onsite beaches, kayak rentals, boat launch, swimming pool, and restaurant. Kayak Tomales Bay for amazing views of the Point Reyes National Seashore. No Problem! There is a fee and permit system for overnight camping on the west side beaches of Tomales Bay (within Point Reyes National Seashore). You must carry your boat approximately 100 meters (110 yards) across a sandy beach. Hearts Desire Beach is on the west side of Tomales Bay off Pierce Point Road. We also rent closed deck kayaks if you have taken a recovery course with us or another kayak outfitter. Carpooling saves money, space, and the environment! This beach is north of Hearts Desire Beach and has two redwood kotcas (traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelters) on it. EMT on-shore with radio. (One person per kayak must have taken the course call 415.669.2600 for availability). Water and restrooms are available at the beach. Overnight beach camping is not permitted anywhere else on Tomales Bay or elsewhere within Point Reyes National Seashore. As the wind often increases throughout the day, launching in the morning is typically a safer decision when planning the logistics of your paddle. Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring phenomenon and we cannot guarantee that you will see Bioluminescence. THERE IS NO WATER FOR BOAT IN CAMPERS ON TOMALES BAY, BRING YOUR OWN. This beach is really easy to get to. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. TOMALES BAY - Beaches are not assigned; campers choose available beaches on a first-come, first-served basis THERE IS POTABLE WATER AT WILDCAT, SKY, GLEN AND COAST CAMP. This Marin County park has a public boat launch with a cement ramp into the water, in addition to a pier and restrooms. We departed from Chicken Ranch Beach, which is on the west side of Tomales Bay. Visitor use of national parklands must always be weighed against the responsibility to maintain natural and cultural resources for succeeding generations. Wittenberg, Olema Valley, Inverness Ridge and Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay, CA. . If you observe drone use in other National Park Service areas or if you find photographs or videos online or elsewhere that were illegally taken within National Park Service areas from drones, you can report the violation to the National Park Service tip line at 888-653-0009 or by email. 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. No overnight use or beach fires. 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! Contact Marin County Parks for more information at 415-499-6387. more, From oysters plucked fresh from Tomales Bay to local wine and cheese tastings, Point Reyes and the surrounding areas offer an unforgettable range of dining more, With so much beauty to see in the Point Reyes National Seashore why not cover some of it on horseback? It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. There was one group departing n 2 other campers coming in. Rinse watercraft, trailer, and equipment with high pressure hot water, when possible. Item #: WAT-SFR-0038. The very first outing with my new kayak, a Current Designs Solstice GT Titan, took me to the mouth of Tomales Bay. Led by our highly experienced local guides, these 3 hour tours explore the wonders of Tomales Bay after dark. As part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, Tomales Bay is a bit secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. Be extremely cautious with getting into the water. Do not dump wash/graywater in the bay; dispose of all dirty water 30 meters (100 feet) or more from any source source of water. Located to the west of Ottawa, "the Valley" stretches along the Ottawa River from Arnprior up to Deep River and extends . More Information Coming Soon! Go to our Camping page if youre interested in boat-in camping. 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Bring your own fresh water for cooking and drinking, as there are few water sources emptying into the bay on the west side. Since Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour are designated as Wilderness, motorized watercraft are prohibited year-round. This beach has restrooms, so keep that in mind when you head up. Stand-up paddleboards: On-site rentals, $25 per hour, $75 all day. From our headquarters in downtown Point Reyes Station, we have everything you need to load up kayaks or SUPs on your vehicle, and this easy process allows you a much wider array of options when exploring Tomales Bay. We offer kayak expeditions, tours, rentals and special event hosting. Hobie pedal-drive kayaks are available in single or double for 4 hours or all-day. There is a day-use and overnight fee charged. PlayCleanGo Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks. Orange floats are placed in the water in summer to indicate the swimming area. When these organisms are moved by waves or by the paddle of a kayak or canoe, the light becomes visible, especially on dark nights. You sit in the pocket, enveloped by water, and in a few quick strokes, you find out what freedom is all about. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. For families, we may have the whale boat available depending on weather conditions. It is located on the east side of Tomales Bay off Highway 1, north of the town of Marshall. Tandem Kayak - A kayak with two paddlers paddling the same boat. Copyright 2023Tomales Bay Expeditions ‐ All Rights Reserved. Tomales Bay has rental stations at Inverness and Marshall, each ideal launch points for a morning flat-water paddle in Tomales Bay.