One of the best things to do in Marin County is to step outside and soak in the beautiful scenery—something that’s pretty easy to do here.
A favorite spot for this is Tomales Bay, an ideal location for a couple of hours of kayaking, wildlife spotting, and watching local fishermen reel in their catch of the day.
Beyond its outdoor appeal and abundant wildlife, Tomales Bay also offers some of the freshest and most delicious seafood around.
So, let’s dive right in—this post is all about kayaking Tomales Bay and exploring California’s coastal gem.
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Kayaking Tomales Bay
Tomales Bay, a serene coastal inlet in Northern California, offers a tranquil escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Spanning approximately 15 miles along the Point Reyes Peninsula, the bay is renowned for its calm waters, rich marine life, and stunning scenic beauty.
Kayaking on Tomales Bay provides a unique vantage point to explore its pristine shores, hidden coves, and lush marshlands. Paddlers can often spot harbor seals, bat rays, and an array of bird species while gliding over the clear, blue waters.
With its gentle waves and picturesque surroundings, kayaking Tomales Bay is an unforgettable experience that combines adventure with the peace and beauty of one of California’s most picturesque coastal regions.
To start this adventure you’ll first need to launch your kayak. You can launch right off of Miller Boat Launch. There is a $5 parking fee and the kiosk can be found near the bathrooms. Credit cards are accepted.
This is the easiest loading and unloading area with parking spots but you can find a couple small parking areas off the road. For a fuss free experience we recommened Miller Boat launch.
There is no particular way you need to kayak but I do recommended heading north towards Hog and Duck Island to see the abundance of birds. You can see both these islands from Miller Boat Launch.
Head south to explore the Point Reyes National Seashore. The western shore, with its secluded beaches and hidden coves, is perfect for a peaceful exploration, while the eastern shore offers views of lush, rolling hills and opportunities to spot wildlife.
Hopefully as your paddling you’ll witness harbor seals poking their heads out of the water. During the months of March through July you can see a large amount of harbor seals sunbathing.
Note: Please be respectful as harbor seals are extremely shy animals whose habitats are easily disrupted by human presence. Maintain at least a 90 meter (300 feet) distance from resting harbor seals.
Tomales Bay Location
Tomales Bay is in Marin county, located approximately 30 miles northwest of San Francisco. The Bay separates Point Reyes Peninsula and the coastline of Marin county.
Tomales Bay Kayak Rental
Difficulty of Kayaking Tomales Bay
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced kayaker, Tomales Bay’s gentle waters make it an ideal destination for all skill levels.
Note: Winds can pick up in the bay, I would recommend checking to see the wind speed here, before heading out. High winds can make it difficult to navigate the water but it’s a nice calm ride otherwise.
Places to Eat in Tomales Bay
This area in the bay is known for amazing fresh seafood. So if you love seafood I highly recommend a visit to one of these 3 restaurants. They all serve delicious seafood dishes. Our favorite from the 3 is The Marshall Store.
- The Marshal Store: They serve the best raw oysters! Some of our favorites on their menu are, bbq oysters, pulled pork and tri-tip sandwiches, ceviche tostadas, fish tacos and the clam chowder soup. They also have amazing jerky and soft serve ice cream.
- Hog Island Oyster Company: Reservations are now required for The Oyster Bar. Hog Island has the best seating area with views of the bay along with really great raw oysters and AMAZING ceviche.
- Nick’s Cove Restaurant: Try the Cast Iron Mac & Cheese, Lagunitas Battered Fish & Chips and Steamed Mussels & Clams.
Tomales Bay Hotels
Here are a few highly rated hotels near the area.
That wraps up this post, Kayaking Tomales Bay: Exploring California’s Coastal Gem.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- Everything You Need To Know About Hiking Tomales Point Trail
- Scenic Rides and Historic Trails: Biking Angel Island State Park
- Camping in Gualala | One of Our Favorite Campsites in NorCal
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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