Lovely views, but super crowded! Beach had an outhouse which was locked, had to park waaay down the…read moreroad as lot was full. Saw a lot of TP along the trail, then I cut my foot on broken glass in the sand!! This used to be a nice beach, not any more. Somebody should say something to the county about it.

Parking is limited, so head over early or be prepared to park in the neighborhood and walk over. As…read morewith many hidden gems, this beach is more crowded than it used to be prior to 2020. Visited last week and there was one group of people playing football on half the beach, so there were few other places we could settle into. We did see some bones, which looked like a deer to me, but we didn't find the skull which would have confirmed the find for me. If you continue hiking, there is another beach that you can reach, but be prepared to wade through some water to get over to the other beach. If you're in the mood to continue hiking, there is more to see beyond the second beach, which will get you more privacy since many people stop at the first beach. FYI it can get cold here, even if it's sunny. I always bring a blanket along with a beach mat. The mat for sitting on, and the blanket for keeping warm. Nice place to unwind at the end of the day since the crowd dissipates as the sun goes down and the temperature cools.

This is a cute little stop :) Take 20-30 Minutes to walk up and down the tunnel and take a few…read morepics. If you love cypress trees like me it's worth it - this tunnel is magically & hauntingly gorgeous. It's free too. Park along the road.

Instagram picture place that's a free thing to do on the way to the lighthouse. You have to park…read morealong the road and there are no facilities in the area.

Half these reviews are of the wrong place. There's the Tomales Bay Trail and the Tomales Point…read moreTrail which sound very similar so it's easy to get them mixed up but they are completely different places. The Tomales Point Trail is much farther out and the hike is in view of the ocean and features Tule Elk. That place is: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomales-point-trail-tule-elk-preserve-inverness?osq=tomales+trail The Tomales Bay Trail is right outside of Point Reyes Station off the Shoreline freeway. The trail is about 2.5 miles and takes a little over an hour. Since it's so close to Point Reyes Station it's nice to go here if you are looking for a shorter hike and not wanting to go all the way out to the seashore or do a long Bear Valley trail. The trail is easy passing by two lagoons or ponds and views of the Inverness mountain in the background. Lots of wildflowers in the spring! Lots of birds, not always in eyesight but I could hear them everywhere. I kept seeing a black bird with a bright red markings, not sure what type of bird this is but it was pretty. There is no shade, most of the time this isn't an issue since Point Reyes is naturally cool or foggy but on a sunny day this can really creep up on you.

For years now I've driven by the Tomales Bay Trailhead and been consistent in remarking that "I…read morewant to hike that". I finally did, and when I'd almost fully back-tracked to my car I said "Well, done that. Don't need to do that again". I got home and told my son I'd hiked this nothing-burger trail. At first he didn't know which trail I was talking about then he was struck with a sudden recognition. "You're right" he said, "that's a nothing-burger". There's nothing wrong with his trail aside from there not being much to it. Parking at the trailhead is easy and free in a small lot. After going through numerous gates designed, I believe, to keep the cows in, hikers are presented with attractive views of Tomales Bay and the surrounding wetlands. The trail is neither challenging, steep, nor long but if you want to make it as long as possible head out to the end of the peninsula. Reach the end of that and return the way you came and you'll log a bit under 3.5 miles total. There's no looping here so backtracking is your sole option. Dogs aren't permitted though nobody appears to be checking. If you've also been driving by this trailhead for a long time know that crossing it off your own bucket list won't eat up too much of your day so you might as well. Pretty, easy, and short make this a worthy place to work off a few calories before heading further north for, perhaps, that platter of Hog Island oysters that's got you on this road in the first place.

Dallas and Liz were wonderful to work with. We rented kayaks from them for a family trip with…read morelittle kids and felt supported and energized by them the entire time. Their knowledge of the area is engrained and you really feel like you're tapping into the spirit of the area. 100% recommend supporting this small business

Went with my husband. Really enjoyed our time there…read moreDefinitely would be back. Just a great place and the fresh air was exactly what we needed

People who have never been to Oregon will tell you that this is one of only two tidefalls (a…read morewaterfall that flows into the ocean) on the entire West Coast. People who believe AllTrails will tell you that this is one of only two tidefalls in California. (If you use Alltrails, you aren't allowed to hike with me, by the way.) Neither of these statements are anywhere close to true. As a matter of fact, there are at least two tidefalls on this one beach, and there are many more in areas that are not easily accessible to the public. Tidefalls are common along the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and Canada. There are several tall tidefalls in Cape Perpetua alone. That being said, Alamere Falls might be the biggest, prettiest publicly accessible tidefall in Northern California. I recently hiked Alamere Falls for the first time in nearly ten years, and I couldn't believe how much had seemed to change. First of all, the road to the Palomarin trail was hell in a compact vehicle. Even going like two miles per hour, I got a little motion sickness from the thousands of deep potholes. The road is so bad that it almost seems beyond repair. At this point, it's probably only suitable for high clearance vehicles, although I did not notice any signs warning of such. Secondly, I'm pretty sure I was the only sober person on the trail. The vibes were so, so weird. Consider packing your (legal) weapon of choice. Thirdly, I was certainly the only person to take the 'legal' trail down, although I gained some new perspective on this. While the trail that I took is ostensibly the trail recommended by NPS, one does have to wonder why it is so overgrown. It feels like, "Obviously, no one ever really hikes this trail," because it's nowhere near clear or well-trodden. Certain areas of the trail were so overgrown that it was impossible to see my feet, and difficult to find my footing. These areas were chalk full of poison oak, stinging nettle, poison hemlock, and a wide variety of (harmless) snakes. By contrast, much of the "social" trail was four feet wide, flat, and clear. Which made me wonder-- which trail is really safer? The cliffs at the end of the social trail are constantly crumbling. The risk of falling, breaking a leg, or at least spraining an ankle, seems high. But by contrast, the risk of spraining an ankle on the recommended trail seems high, too. And the stinging nettle hurt a lot, but only for a few hours. My personal recommendation is to take the recommended trail, but wear solid boots, long pants, and tall, colorful socks. Tuck your pants into your socks, or wear gaiters. Use permethrin or your tick repellant of choice. While the official Palomarin Trail may be very long and difficult, it's also worth the trouble. The ocean views and wildlife were unbelievable. I actually saw a mother deer nursing two spotted fawns in the middle of the trail. On the beach, I found agates, fossils, shells, giant bull kelp, snowy plovers, and lots of by-the-wind-sailors jellyfish in multiple stages of life and decomposition. The waterfall itself is pretty-- but make sure to check the tide!! I never do, and I almost always get stranded. The first time I ever hiked this trail, I actually had to climb up a cliff in terror and wait 3 hours for the tide to recede. But that doesn't need to happen to you if you remember to check the tide before you come out, while you still have service.

Wow--absolutely spectacular, magical, and truly epic!…read more Alamere Falls is one of the most breathtaking hidden gems along the California coast, tucked inside Point Reyes National Seashore. What makes it so special is that it's a rare "tidefall," where the waterfall flows directly into the ocean--something you can only see in a couple of places in California, including McWay Falls. Watching the water cascade over the rugged shale cliffs onto the beach below is simply unforgettable. The surrounding landscape feels wild and untouched, adding to the sense of adventure. Upstream, the smaller cascades create a beautiful lead-up to the main falls, making the entire hike feel like a journey through nature's artwork. This spot is not just a destination--it's an experience. From the scenic hike to the dramatic ocean views, every moment feels rewarding. If you're looking for something unique, peaceful, and awe-inspiring, Alamere Falls absolutely delivers.

How fortunate we are to have Point Reyes National Seashore. The headquarters is fantastic- maps,…read morerecommendations, nice restrooms & plenty of free parking. Today we chose the Bear Valley hike trail. The path is wide and mostly flat and even includes a bathroom midway. As you walk you are able to hear the beautiful sounds of the babbling brook along the route. Being late Spring we were able to spot a good amount of wildflowers- buttercups, poppies, bleeding heart, foxglove and more. We encountered several equestrian's throughout our hike.

Sea How You Are A…read more71,000-acre park that was founded in 1962 and whose eastern boundary consists of a little thing called the San Andreas Fault. It's also home to over 900 plant species (50 of which are endangered), over 40 species of mammals, and over 400 different birds. Point Reyes is unlike any other park we've ever been to in that it's such a unique area that includes a small town, farmlands, estuaries, beaches, headlands, and so much more. If this is your first time or you're planning your first time, I'd try to allow for at least two full days to really get a feel for this place, and the best part is it's all 100% free to visit! Here's a quick guide to the best of the best things to do here (Pro Tip: There are multiple other Yelp pages with lots of more specific reviews for each of these locations). * The PR lighthouse is a must-see, and with the 308 stairs you'll need to get there, you'll definitely get your steps in! * There are multiple Visitors Centers, but if you only want to visit one, I'd recommend going to the one at Drake's Beach where you might get a glimpse of elephant seals during their breeding period (Dec - March). * Tomales Point Trail at the Tule Elk Preserve is my mostest favoritetest trail on Earth. It's relatively flat with very little uphill, but it is over nine miles if you want to get to the point and get back. And, yes, you'll want to get to the point. Otherwise, what's the point? ;) Just be sure to bring water and some snacks to cover you for those 9+ miles. This will also be your best chance to come face-to-face with the infamous Tule Elk. * Drake's Estero if you want to do some kayaking (check website for rules and dates). * McClures Beach if you want to hang and picnic. Great for tidepooling but not so much for swimming. Seriously. Don't do it. * Chimney Rock Trail is a relatively low effort for high reward spot for some spectacular views. There's plenty of other places to check out, but this should help get you started. Enjoy!

This was my third attempt hiking this trail but I still didn't finish it. Next time! The first time…read moreI went (like 10 years ago!) there was a sign about mountain lion sightings so I didn't hike. I was there very early and alone. The second time John was with me but we didn't go very far. This time we planned on hiking half way because it was an unplanned trip and we didn't have our normal hiking equipment (the right shoes, clothes, water bladder, etc). However, just two miles in is enough to show how amazing this trail is! The views are out of this world. Like heaven on earth. We encountered tons of wildflowers and Tule Elk. They were so close to us that we had to wait for them to move so that we could continue on the trail. When we got to our planned two mile mark, we both wanted to keep going. Despite the steep inclines in a few parts, the trail is quite easy--at least for the first two miles in. But we decided to turn around and promised we would return and finally complete this amazing trail. Now I know why this trail is one of the top most popular trails in the Bay Area.

Gorgeous out and back hike along the spine of Tomales Point!…read more I have been recommended this hike for years and am so psyched I finally got to experience it! Accessing this hike takes some finesse - parking is limited alongside the Pierce Point Ranch, so aim to arrive earlier in the day, as parking packs up quickly! The trailhead is located within the Tule Elk reserve, so dogs are not allowed. The road leading to the trail passes through Point Reyes Station before winding through Inverness and up a pitted farm road until it ends at the trailhead. I started my hike at 10am and though the morning was clear and warm, the trail itself was a bit squidgey from spring rains earlier that week- come prepared with a change of shoes and a towel to wipe off any mud. The trail itself meanders through a low lying brush with sweeping views of both the Pacific ocean and Tomales bay. There is a fair amount of rolling elevation change, but plenty of gorgeous spots to stop and catch your breath For me, the highlight was seeing the tule elk basking in the sun overlooking the ocean! Definitely worth the trek and the hype.

Beautiful little beach with two 1/2 mile hikes leading to other beach fronts. Restrooms sufficient…read moreto the amount of parking. Kayak rentals available at reasonable rates.

A true hidden gem. A must visit if you're in the area or close to the area. All of these photos…read morewere taken either on the beach area, or on the small small hike. My bride was able to hike it in her heels so it's not a hard hike at all! :)

Absolutely love the beautiful hiking trail from Heart's Desire Beach (part of Tomales Bay State…read morePark) to this beach. One can only access Indian Beach via hiking (only a mile) or by boat. I've also kayaked here before. A gem of a spot for sure with very few (if any) people there.

Did a moderate 3 mile hike here in early fall. I've been around this body of water many times but…read moremostly as drives around and maybe an occasional picnic on one of it's corners. You can probably drive around the whole bay from Inverness to Marshall in about 30 minutes. My hike because I went with the gps due to my first time, started in the northern corner of the bay just outside of Inverness, so the road is on top of the hills and you can wind on down to water level. Over by Marshall you will already be at water level. This corner also has a popular beach destination where people can swim, kayak, picnic etc called Heart's Desire Beach. From the highway one up top it'll take about 10 minutes on a windy road to reach the beach. My hike started up on top and worked its way down to the water, mostly on single track trail through heavily brushed forest in the hills. No crazy great views until you get nearer the water when you start to see deep blue hues. Once down at the water I took a break on another, but much smaller beach called Pebble Beach. Just sat on a log and absorbed the peacefulness while I rehydrated. There were no one on this beach but I could see decent activity from Heart's Desire Beach about a quarter mile away. Now that I know the general terrain here, next time I'm going to park at Heart's Desire parking lot and climb up, then descend on the way back. On this trip I went down first then had to climb 700 hundred feet or so, so all the sweating was on the tail end. I prefer the former, and that way when done I can just relax and have a picnic on the beach. Lesson learned. Still a solid 4* outing.

After a bit of a drive we found this SP to be disappointing. We were looking for hiking trails over…read morebeach access. Unfortunately, we couldn't even find the overgrown trails. Left after getting out of the car in two different areas trying to find a starting point. Save yourself the drive. No attendant to ask for assistance.