Tomales Bay Trail

Tomales Bay Trail is an easy 2.6-mile round-trip out-and-back from the Highway 1 trailhead, crossing grazed pasture to the edge of Giacomini Wetlands. It passes two stock ponds, climbs over a bluff and opens to Tomales Bay and the restored marsh. Allow about 90 minutes at a relaxed pace, with time to pause where birds gather.

The route begins on a broad dirt two-track, then crosses open grassland and cattle-gate crossings. Close each gate behind you; cattle graze here. After the ponds, the path climbs the bluff, a brief rise rather than a long sustained ascent. At the top, the bay fills the westward view. Farther along, the trail reaches the edge of the wetlands, where shallow flats meet the water. The scenery shifts from pasture to pond edge to marsh, though most of the walk stays in open field. Tomales Bay occupies a submerged rift of the San Andreas Fault, and Inverness Ridge rises on the far side.

Walk out to the wetland edge and return along the same trail. The mapped line follows the outbound corridor once, which is the usual way to draw an out-and-back. Keep to the established tread near the marsh and give grazing animals room. Birdlife is one of the walk’s rewards, but sightings vary with season and conditions.

The unpaved trailhead lot sits immediately west of Highway 1, 1.2 miles north of the Point Reyes–Petaluma Road junction, and holds about 15 vehicles. The route is easy overall, with one brief bluff climb. Leashed pets and horses are allowed; bicycles are not. Close every gate behind you so cattle stay in their pasture.