2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Tomales Bay State Park If you plan to have a. A pit toilet is available for use. 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. Indian BeachThis beach is north of Hearts Desire and has a redwood kotca, a traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelter on it. When these organisms are moved by waves or by the paddle of a kayak or canoe, the light becomes visible, especially on dark nights. Orange floats are placed in the water in summer to indicate the swimming area. No camping, overnight parking, or beach fires. Tomales Bay State Park: Heart's Desire Beach. Where can I launch my kayak in Tomales Bay? Kayak, paddles, life jacket, on-shore instruction & overview. No overnight camping or beach fires. Contact Marin County Parks for more information at 415-499-6387. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Visit our Your Safety While Boating page for information on preparing for and remaining safe while boating in the Point Reyes area. The road opens up as you pass Nicasio Reservoir (full right now) on the left. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, five kilometers (3 miles) north of Point Reyes Station. And again, I did not go under.I love this boat already, after the very first afternoon! Kayak Rentals Tomales Bay | Tomales Bay Expeditions Please wait until you are in West Marin before purchasing fire wood. Included in the Total Price below: Kayak or SUP and all necessary gear, 10% of your rental supports the California State Parks, and 5% is a non-refundable booking fee. Learn more about dinoflagellates and bioluminescence. Hearts Desire Beach is on the west side of Tomales Bay off Pierce Point Road. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. As such, it is important to minimize our impacts and Leave No Trace of our visits to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes has a thriving artist community, lively music scene and plenty of one of a kind shopping opportunities. Whether you plan to spend a few hours or a few days on the bay, this is a great starting point. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. This Marin County park has a public boat launch with a cement ramp into the water, in addition to a pier and restrooms. No overnight parking for boat-in campers is allowed in Point Reyes National Seashore or Tomales Bay State Park. NEW: Winter Birding with David Wimpfheimer, Gift Certificates, Auction 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. The island is open on the west side only for day use. In the event you choose to cancel you will receive a full refund minus the 5% handling fee. Fun getaway from the Bay and a change from the usual car camping or backpacking. Triples also available. 2 2.5 hours of Paddle time. A pit toilet is available. Tour length is normally 3 hours (longer tours available by request) and includes paddling instruction. Inverness, CA 94937, Please enter a number greater than or equal to. ), or speak with a ranger. 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. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 30 meters (100 feet) of the swim area markers. The drive: The prettiest route avoids Sunday traffic and is only a few minutes longer than the main drag of Sir Francis Drake west of San Rafael. 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. Contact the National Seashore's camping desk at 415-464-5100 x2 x5 if you have any specific questions about overnight camping on Tomales Bay. It is a day-use area (no overnight parking) and there is a day-use fee. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, three miles north of Point Reyes Station. It is a critical wildlife habitat, a favorite haul-out for seals, and roosting place for brown pelicans. This beach is north of Hearts Desire Beach and has two redwood kotcas (traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelters) on it. My next kayaking venture was a July 4th morning tour of Tomales Bay, hosted by Clavey. Visit our Kayaking Around Point Reyes National Seashore page . This 4 mile paddle is perfect for those with a little bit of prior paddling experience-- we'll bring all the necessary gear and a refresher on kayaking basics before getting started. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call. Land for a picnic. Customers get to experience the epic scenery, abundant wildlife and favorable kayaking conditions which make Tomales Bay a world class place to paddle. Check with the Seashore reservation office. Blue Waters Kayaking, Point Reyes California. Wear comfortable synthetic clothes as they dry faster. The Seashore faces the challenge of not only preserving the pristine shorelines of Tomales Bay and assisting in protecting clean water, but also providing recreational opportunities for the public. Winter Kayaking & Birding Tours with David Wimpfheimer: Sundays December 29, 2013 and January 19, 2014. . We can (and often do) turn away others from that particular date (or trip). 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. About. There is a day-use fee and overnight parking requires purchasing a Lawson's Landing campsite. Our rental fleet consists of open deck double and single kayaks hand selected to match the conditions on the bay. Reservations may also be made by phone by calling toll free 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). These regions of the peninsula are best known for their natural beauty and diversity in plant and wildlife. Kayaking on Tomales Bay - SFGATE There are six locations at which kayaks or other watercraft may be launched onto Tomales Bay: On Tomales Bay, there are vault toilets at Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach. We departed from Chicken Ranch Beach, which is on the west side of Tomales Bay. Crescent Tandem Kayak, sit-on-top with elevated, framed single seats. In the event of adverse weather conditions, well try our best to reschedule the tour at a later date, rest assured. 415-464-5100 The California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the Tomales Bay State Park General Plan at its May 14, 2004 meeting in Santa Rosa. We rented our kayak from Blue Water, very friendly people. [3] All very beautiful n deserted. So the camera was sitting too loose and thus was knocked over by the same waves that tipped me. Given that good weather often attracts a large volume of paddlers to our area, we recommend making reservations in advance whenever possible. Here you will find the parks Ranger Station, Heart's Desire Beach, Vista Point Picnic Area, and hiking trails to Indian Beach, Pebble Beach, and Shell Beach. Renters can enjoy the comfort and stability of a large sit-on-top while achieving speeds usually reserved for racing kayaks. This is it! Each patron is responsible to contact the office to make arrangements. (2 kayaks or 3 SUPs can fit on top of any vehicle.) His first novel, "The Sweet Redemption, An Inspector Korg Mystery," was released for 2013. PFDs and paddles are included with each rental. This Marin County park has a public boat launch with cement grade into the water, restrooms, and a pier. 94956. Or, reserve our handcrafted, wooden whale 4-seater boat with a personal guide. T hose looking to go canoeing and kayaking near Ottawa are in luckone of the premier paddling destinations in the entire province is merely a one- or two-hour drive away, depending where in the region you decide to explore. If you are in the Bay Area, check out California Canoe \u0026 Kayak in Oakland. Menu Close Home; Rentals Open menu. Ahoy Boaters & Kayakers! Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, five kilometers (3 miles) north of Point Reyes Station. It is off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) north of Inverness. for your first email from REI. We offer kayak expeditions, tours, rentals and special event hosting. Point Reyes Outdoors (415) 663-8192Blue Waters Kayaking (415) 669-2600. Tomales Bay is a hotspot for bioluminescence. Tomales Bay is a narrow, long channel between wooded ridges. Your Safety While Boating - Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S more, Two peaceful cottages located directly on the shores of Tomales Bay. Along with our normal rental orientation, Hobie rentals include an additional few minutes of instruction on how to operate the pedal-drive and rudder system. Tomales Bay Expeditions offers guided kayaking tours of Tomales Bay, usually starting in the morning for the best paddling conditions. They had a demo boat that took all of an hour to convince me. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. Boil, treat, or filter any water obtained from streams, creeks, springs, etc.. We look forward to hearing from you. Tomales Bay offers boat-in only campgrounds along the east side of the peninsula. You can even check out our instructional video on how to load a kayak on your car by clicking HERE. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Restrooms and water available. Clavey Paddlesports, Petaluma, 707-766-8070. Per the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), the waters within 305 meters (1000 feet) of shore along the Point Reyes Headlands is closed to all vessels from Chimney Rock west to Longitude 123 01.00'. Always check the weather and marine forecasts before kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. No overnight use or beach fires. Use our quick contact form below and well get back to you a.s.a.p. Love oysters? Kayak Beautiful Tomales bay and experience the bioluminescence ecology of the bay. 12 Best Places To Go Canoing And Kayaking Near Ottawa - Paddling Magazine 10 Best Rivers To Paddle In Quebec - Paddling Magazine Medium rigor. Call us today! As a photographer with The Chronicle, he won first place in America for best outdoors feature image in 2011. We departed from Chicken Ranch Beach, which is on the west side of Tomales Bay. If you have questions or ideas about arranging a paddle or an event, were here to help. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. The whaleboat is built to allow light to reflect through the translucent hull. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. The kayak trip is limited to the darkest nights of the new moon phases in Summer and fall; hence sells out quickly. Campers on Tomales Bay beaches must arrive by boat and may not hike, bike, or ride horses to the beaches. Start from Petaluma: 20 Miles, 30 Minutes, Start From Napa: 45 Miles, 1Hr 15 Minutes. Headlamp with RED light, drinking water, towel, whistle. (One person per kayak must have taken the course call 415.669.2600 for availability). The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. There is a pit toilet and you must carry your boat along a short trail approximately 100 yards to the water. Overnight parking and camping is not allowed in the state park. We will use our decades of experience in this area to make sure you have a safe, enlightening and . With opportunities to view the sunset and bioluminescence from your campsite, its no wonder our 24 and 48 hour rentals are two of our most sought after options. You can rent a horse more, Encompassing 100 square miles of coastal wilderness, the park offers 80 miles of pristine coastline and over 150 miles of hiking trails. We look forward to hearing from you. Bring your own fresh water for cooking and drinking, as there are few water sources emptying into the bay on the west side. Tomales Bay Kayak Tour. Tom Stienstra is the outdoors writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Item #: WAT-SFR-0038. Napa Valley Paddles Bioluminescent kayak touring company offers natures most illuminating light show in the waters of Tomales Bay on the darkest nights of July, August, September, and October, 2023. Great, personable service, too!For the record: The yell I emitted after the first capsize is a traditional Bavarian expression of joy, along the lines of: \"I did it!\".For the record 2: The ball mount for the camera had cracked that same day. All of our tours are led by guides with years of experience on Tomales Bay. This area can get busy so reservations are strongly suggested. Except Saturdays can be very busy. Contact Tomales Bay State Park for more information at 415-669-1140. Turn right (still Point Reyes Petaluma Road) and drive 3.1 miles to Highway 1. There is a fee and permit system for overnight camping within Point Reyes National Seashore, including camping on the beaches on the westside of Tomales Bay north of Tomales Bay State Park's northern boundary. Tipped over in Tomales Bay Entrance - YouTube This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (i.e., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc. 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. There is a fee and permit system for overnight camping on the west side beaches of Tomales Bay (within Point Reyes National Seashore). In this case the following policies apply and each patron is responsible to contact the office to make arrangements. The Tomales Bay State Park General Plan. Loaded our kayak with our gear and fresh oyster we got on the way. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. Tomales Bay State Park provides two sites at which one may launch kayaks onto Tomales Bay: Millerton Point and Hearts Desire Beach. The boat ramp is a sand bottomed ramp and Lawson's Landing uses a fork lift to move boats onto the water, or if you have 4 wheel drive they allow you to use it to put your boat into the water. You must carry your boat approximately 100 yards across a sandy beach. One thing th Just north of San Francisco, there's a row of giant Monterey cypress trees that forms a tree tunnel. Nestled along the west shore of Tomales Bay, Chicken Ranch Beach County Park is a three-acre natural area adjacent to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.8 km (1.2 miles) north of Inverness. Reserve Yours Now! Other temporary or seasonal closures may be in effect at different times due to breeding populations of marine mammals, shorebirds, or seabirds. No Rack? This phenomenon occurs in many oceans around the world but is best viewed in a place like Tomales Bay where low ambient light makes the effect much brighter. Turn left on Point Reyes Petaluma Road and drive 3 miles (past Nicasio Reservoir) to a stop sign and junction (Platform Bridge Road on left). Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. (, Let us drop them off for you at your waterside location if you are coming out midweek. (, Load your boat or board on to a set of wheels and walk them 5 to 10 minutes to Lagunitas Creek, Available by Request w/ $800 minimum per day, We also rent closed deck kayaks if you have taken a recovery course with us or another kayak outfitter. You get a winding route through redwoods at one point, and then near Nicasio past hardwoods. Contact Tomales Bay Resort for more information at 415-669-1389. 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. The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. Plenty of car parking is available for guests. If you time it right and are paddling at night, you'll also get to experience bioluminescence. It is on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, one mile north of Inverness. Tomales Bay Expeditions Kayak Trips Rentals Tours This trail is very well maintained and you are almost guaranteed to see tule elk along the way. The inn and marina are located on the west side of the bay. Dog friendly options. Go to our Camping page if youre interested in boat-in camping. We jumped in our kayaks and headed north in the bay for a quick breather at Heart's Desire Beach. There is very little shade, so make sure to bring some sunscreen. Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov. They provided everything we needed and included some basic how-to-kayak instruction. Led by our highly experienced local guides, these 3 hour tours explore the wonders of Tomales Bay after dark. Turn right and drive 3.8 miles to Point Reyes Petaluma Road. Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure in Tomales Bay - Virgin Experience Gifts Call us today! Come see some of Earth's finest creatures with cheery and adventurous new friends. An active resort for all ages with onsite beaches, kayak rentals, boat launch, swimming pool, and restaurant. What you'll see: A fast, easy way to change your reality is to get into a kayak. Watch this short PSA from the Seabird Protection Network to learn about California's amazing seabirds and how you can help marine wildlife while enjoying the beautiful coast! MARSHALL, CA. Sea Trek Kayak & Stand Up Paddling Center, Sausalito, 415-332-8494. Microscopic, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates produce and emit light through a chemical reaction process.