Tomales Point Trail

The path passes the west side of historic Pierce Ranch, then heads through coastal scrub onto a broad, mostly level track. The first mile is hard-packed and changes elevation very little, so the Pacific opens up early without much climbing. At Windy Gap, the trail drops into White Gulch. A perennial spring below the route draws tule elk, and Hog Island sits beyond the gulch; the animals are wild, so keep to the trail and give them space. Turning back here makes the easiest version of the walk.

Beyond the gap, the trail climbs the ridge crest to its high point about 2.25 miles from the start. It then drops steeply toward the old Lower Pierce Ranch site and its stock pond, about 3 miles each way. Herons and ducks may be around the water as well as elk. The historic ranching story stays visible in the route itself: much of the path follows an old ranch road across the point.

The final 1.7 miles to Tomales Point are unmaintained. The earlier hard-packed track gives way to loose sand and often overgrown tread, with branching social paths through bush lupine that can be difficult to distinguish in fog. The paths tend to rejoin near the end, but follow the most established line rather than cutting toward a view. At the northern point, the ridge breaks into rocky coastal bluffs above surf, with views across the surrounding bays and peninsula. Keep the rocks and moving water in a photo to show the scale of the shore.

The full route is worth choosing only if you are comfortable with the long distance and rough finish. The bluff edges can crack or slide, especially after wet weather, so stay well back from them. Wind can be strong on the open ridge; summer fog is common, and winter rain can leave the trail muddy.

Start at Tomales Point Trailhead beside Pierce Ranch, at the end of Pierce Point Road. The dirt lot holds about 20 vehicles and can fill by midmorning on busy weekends and holidays; roadside parking is restricted. There is no potable water at the point, so fill up before the drive. McClures Beach parking lot has restrooms, a separate stop on the way in. Food services are not available out at the point. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited on the trail. The area is open to day hiking year-round, though wind, fog and winter mud can shape how much of the ridge you enjoy.