Point Reyes — Tomales Point Trail
Distance
9.4 mi
Elevation gain
880 ft
Duration
4–5 hrs
Surface
Dirt, coastal grassland
✗ No dogs permitted
About this hike
Tomales Point is the northernmost tip of the Point Reyes peninsula, and the Tomales Point Trail runs along a narrow ridge above both Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The tule elk reserve at Pierce Point Ranch is one of the most reliably good places to see free-roaming elk in California. This is a long, breezy out-and-back that rewards patience.
Highlights
- ✦Free-roaming tule elk herd — often within 50 feet of the trail
- ✦Dual ocean views: Tomales Bay to the east, the Pacific to the west
- ✦Migrating gray whales visible offshore December–April
- ✦Some of the most dramatic coastal light in Northern California
Practical tips
- →Dogs and bikes are not permitted in the elk reserve
- →Wind is persistent — a windproof shell is non-negotiable
- →Start early to catch elk active in the morning fog
- →The trail is 9.4 miles round-trip to the tip; the elk are visible within the first 2 miles