The Tomales Bay Trail is a hiking route that provides access to the part of Tomales Bay where the salt water mixes with freshwater from Lagunitas Creek. Discover trails like Tomales Point Trail California, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. The parking for the Tomales Point Trail is on the site of the Pierce Ranch house and dairy barn where locally famous butter was produced starting in 1858. The Tomales Point Trail runs along coastal bluffs, up the peninsula's spine, and through the Tule Elk Preserve en route to its climactic finish on the Seashore's wave-battered cusp.. Directions to Trailhead The trailhead is located near the end of Pierce Point Road, approximately 40 minutes from the town of Point Reyes Station. Tomales Point Trail - 9.5 Miles Round-Trip Tomales Point caps the northernmost tip of Point Reyes National Seashore where the Pacific Ocean meets Bodega Bay. Tomales Point is a Tule Elk preserve. The hike is perfect for refreshing yourself on a lazy Sunday. The dairy products were shipped to San Francisco from a dock in Tomales Bay. Tomales is located at 38°14′47″N 122°54′20″W / 38.24639°N 122.90556°W / 38.24639; -122.90556, above Keys Creek, about 3 mi (5 km) northeast of Tomales Bay. Because it’s out-and-back, you can make the hike as long or as short as you want. The Tule Elk is a subspecies of elk found only in California. On a clear day, this makes for spectacular views. This mellow trail is an out-and-back, so you can turn around at any point. ... Tomales Point is surrounded by water on three sides – the Pacific Ocean to the west, Tomales Bay to the east, and Bodega Bay to the north. Trail Map | Photo Gallery The main attraction of this trail is the abundant Tule Elk (Cervus canadensis ssp. I finally did, and when I'd almost fully back-tracked to my car I said "Well, done that. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. nannodes). Parking is free at Pierce Point ranch, at the end of Pierce Point … Topographic map of the Tomales Point Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore, California - from Pierce Point Ranch to Tomales Bluff I got home and told my son I'd hiked this nothing-burger trail. Don't need to do that again". The first three miles of this trail are maintained and follows the route of an old ranch road as it travels along the crest of the ridge. The nearest city is Petaluma, about 24 minutes away by automobile, and the nearest large city is San Francisco, about 75 minutes to the south. 4 reviews of Tomales Bay Trail "For years now I've driven by the Tomales Bay Trailhead and been consistent in remarking that "I want to hike that". Squeezed on three sides by water, the only sounds are wind, surf, and bird cries. There is no sandy beach here, but it is an interesting shoreline that few people see. The gentle grade makes the Tomales Point Trail a long but reasonable family hike. The Tomales Point Trail through the Tule Elk Reserve offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Bodega Bay, and Tomales Bay as one potentially hikes 9.4 miles round-trip to the northern end of the Peninsula. Directions, Parking, & Regulations. The Tomales Point tule elk reserve is not only a great place to watch wildlife, it's one of the quietest trails on Point Reyes.The single trail drifts north away from the trailhead, eventually reaching Tomales Point, nearly 5 miles from the nearest road. This region is known for hikes and beaches on Point Reyes Peninsula and the shoreline of Tomales Bay.