Stats, trail tips and important information regarding this trail are located at the bottom of the blog post. Unless explicitly noted, all pictures in this blog are owned by me and should otherwise not be used without expressed written consent.
With our country’s existing political divide, you’ll hear some negativity about California depending on which side of the fence you’re on. If you’ve been reading my blogs long enough, you’ll also know I view life through an apolitical lens. Why should we let politics prevent us from visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world? Outside of extreme parts of the world, I don’t. 😎
So here is another absolutely STUNNING hike in California. Tomales Point was part of an unforgettable trip through several redwood forests and coastlines back in 2018. You’ll see some of my other hikes around this time already on my blogsite.
The Tomales Point trailhead is a little under two hours from San Francisco. As you can see, the trailhead is quite easy to find. From my recollection, the parking lot was decently sized and I had no issues parking nearby.
The entire hike is quite flat. AllTrails says the total elevation gain from the hike is 1,200 but this is over the course of nearly 10 miles. Of course, there are almost constant ocean views throughout the hike…
You’re likely wondering what a daguerreotype is now, huh? Well, in an attempt to move away from the term “selfie”, we’re reviving the old term daguerreotype meant to describe the first self-portrait performed back in 1839 by Robert Cornelius. Should we coin a new slang term such as daguerro?
This amazing view along the trail hints at the distant coast nestled in between two nearby hills…
The relatively flat terrain, steep cliffs and ocean coastline were stunning…
Admiring the sun’s casting over a wide swath of ocean from such a distance is a sight to see…
The trail is quite easy to follow as the majority of it looks like a four-wheeler/side-by-side trail…
As you get relatively close to the end of the inlet, you may see a herd of tule elk. They were in pretty large numbers (around two dozen)…
The profile of the tule elk overlooking the vast ocean in the background was super cool…
At the end of the peninsula is Tomales Point. You’re able to climb around this area but be careful. It can be a little treacherous…
This interesting panoramic peers back towards the entire peninsula (where you hiked from). The features at Tomales Point are clay and some rock, which contributed to the unique perspective…
At the point, of course there are several vantage points. This picture below shows the inlet between the mainland and Tomales Point. In the foreground, you can see the undulating clay features of the point…
As I was walking back, I couldn’t help but take one last panoramic to show the peninsula, coast and trail…
You’ll read this statement often in my blogposts but here goes – pictures do not do this place justice. Go see the beauty for yourselves. Hear the distant ocean waves. Smell the coastal smells. Take your time if you must. This was a worthy hike on my bucket list.
Total Distance/Time: 9.74 miles (this is an earlier hike before I had a watch – no time of hike)
Calories Burned: 1,201
Trail Type: Out-and-back
Trail Features: Plateau, peninsula, coastal views, tule elk, clay features
Best Time to Hike: April-May, December-February
Difficulty Rating: 7.5/10
Trailhead Coordinates: 38.1891219, -122.9543079
Trail Tips:
- Hike Length. Yes, this hike is nearly 10 miles long so be prepared and bring lots of water. In the end, it’s an out-and-back trail so you can turn around anytime you would like.
- Roads Nearby: The roads nearby are quite curvy so stay vigilant on your way. The roads are also beautifully picturesque.