Tomales Point Trail

Tomales Point Trail
4.7
23 Reviews
Tomales Point Trail
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Details

Distance
9.47 miles
Elevation Gain
1165 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Groups
Easy Parking
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Scenic
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About this place

Added by Jake Young

Tomales Point Trail on Point Reyes National Seashore is a moderate day hike with incredible seaside views, ending at the northern tip of Pt. Reyes. Along the trail, you'll have great opportunities to see tule elk.

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.

Start at the Tomales Point Trailhead near the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. Follow the trail for roughly three miles. This trail is very well maintained and you are almost guaranteed to see tule elk along the way.

After reaching Lower Pierce Point Ranch, the trail is not maintained and can be overgrown with bush lupine or other shrubs. From here, it is about 1.7 miles to the point. The trail should still be relatively easy to follow, but if you find yourself off-trail, just keep walking towards the end of the peninsula. The end of the peninsula, Tomales Bluff, is a great place to have a picnic.

There are many sensitive elk habitats along the way, so it is always a good idea to stay on trail. Throughout the hike, it is not uncommon to see many different types of wildlife, so make sure to leave no trace in their natural environment.

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
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Zach L
8/1/2022
Coastal Walk
This is a beautiful trail, especially on a clear day where you’ve got views both into the bay and out to the ocean. Even ...
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Maya Longtin
3/27/2021
Uniquely beautiful hike
This hike is unlike most I’ve done before because rather than hiking along the coast, you’ve got the ocean crashing on either side. Nowhere ...
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Andy
11/16/2020
Beautiful hike
We saw so many elk and they got even closer to the trail on the way back. Got here at 9am and there ...
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Elena P
7/7/2020
So many elk
This hike was very beautiful. The first part is through wildflowers which grow right up to the trail. There were lots of ...
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Natalie F
7/4/2020
A hike with everything you could want
This hike has it all! Wildlife (we saw elk and a wolf), breathtaking cliffs, beautiful trees, and the impressive ocean. Did it on 12/24 ...
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Nix Kinney
8/22/2017
Stunning Views And Wildlife, Though Prepare For Hiking In Sand For Longer Than You Want To
Long (nearly 10 mi round trip) but relatively easy hike along costal cliffs and through an Elk Preserve. I wasn't prepared to hike for ...
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Mark McCauley
6/25/2017
Incredible views!
This is an awesome hike. As a beginner and a large man (270lbs) I feel it may be more than just a "beginner" ...
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Anca Apostoaei
4/9/2017
Great Hike
A really nice hike with plenty to see, don't forget to dress properly as it can be pretty windy. After the rain that we ...
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Chase Dekker
2/3/2017
Great hike along the sea with lots of wildlife
Did this hike a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it! We did not make it all the way to the end, but enjoyed ...
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Jake Young
11/1/2016
Megafauna
Wanna see elk munching on grass with an ocean view? This is the place for you. Although the hike is on the longer side ...
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Kelsey Snook
5/8/2016
Tomales Point
Definitely get here early, especially if it's a weekend! By the time we got back to our car the parking lot and road out ...
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Sara Sheehy
4/18/2016
Stunning Headlands
This hike is a beauty! I got there right after sunrise and there were only three other cars in the lot. The tule elk ...
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Andrew James
2/8/2016
One of my all-time favorite hikes!
Some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.
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Christopher Bobel
7/20/2015
I prefer a mix of tree coverage and open sky on my hikes, so I don't put this trail in my top 10.... but ...
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M P
7/20/2015
Probably my favorite Pt. Reyes hike besides Estero Trail. You get it all on this one (Tamales Bay, ocean, flora/fauna) and it isn't too ...
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Erika Mesina
2/24/2015
Flowers as tall as me, elks 2 or 3 times larger than me ^_^ and yes, the view is just beautiful. Best combination (in ...
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Jaymie Shearer
10/15/2013
Bryn wants to do this as well.
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Grant
10/15/2013
bring a snack, you'll want to stay
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Tyler Drake
7/19/2013
Sorry Lisa, no dogs
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M P
7/18/2013
Sweet views of the ocean from the cliffs above at the end of the hike
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M P
7/18/2013
test 1
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Lisa Dutton
6/26/2013
Dog friendly?
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Tyler Drake
6/23/2013
It's pretty foggy during the summer, so remember to bring layers.
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