I’ve written about our Marin day trips over the past few years, but this is the first time I’ve ever spent three days in Tomales Bay. And it was terrific! I’ve got some tips for things to do and where to eat- and I’ll follow up with a post on the great hotel where we stayed for two nights.
Three hikes, for different moods
We did one hike a day, and they were all a bit different- but all gorgeous. I mentioned to Dear Husband several times that West Marin is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. But do be aware that some hikes don’t (officially) allow dogs. You may get a citation if you are caught on a trail with your pup. But none of our fellow hikers got on our case for having Cheddar in tow. And I won’t tell if you won’t!
Kehoe Beach
Kehoe Beach is flat and wide and gorgeous. And it’s long- we walked for an hour+ and didn’t get anywhere near the end of it. One end, towards the cliffs, is for dogs- the other is not. But let’s just say that rules are meant to be broken 🙂
Kehoe Beach Trail, Inverness, CA 94937
Tomales Bay Trail
The next morning was drizzly and quite windy. And we wanted to take it a bit easier- since we’re both recovering from a few minor injuries. Tomales Bay Trail is dog-friendly and relatively short- you can easily do it within an hour. And it’s the closest trail to the central jumping off point of Point Reyes Station.
Tomales Bay Trail, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Tomales Point Trail
We saved the best for last during our three days in Tomales Bay. Or at least the longest for last! We were all pretty exhausted by the end of the almost 10 mile round trip. But wow, those blue skies. You really can’t beat them!
Tomales Point Trail, Pierce Point Rd, Inverness, CA 94937
Some places to eat
After all that hiking, you are going to need some food! The specialities of West Marin are cheese (and everything dairy) and oysters. But of course, they all serve beautiful vegetable dishes and lots of seafood too. We were there on a Monday, and not a lot of places were open. So I’d suggest making reservations for dinner when you are planning your trip. There aren’t tons of options and you don’t want to miss out on some great food!
Due West in Olema
Dinner was delicious- I had the salmon and Dear Husband had the burger. We were there around 6pm and we were clearly eating at the family hour. Everyone had kids except us. Which of course prompted us to discuss memories of dining out with Sophie when she was little. Miss her so much!
Due West, 10005 Coastal Highway #1, Olema, CA 94950
Point Reyes Station House Cafe
It looks like a couple of restaurants went out of business in Point Reyes Station since I was last there. And on a Monday, the Station House was the only place open for lunch. No complaints- the food is solid and there’s a great energy in the space.
Station House Cafe, 1180 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Snacks and Treats
You deserve a few treats with all the hiking and sea air! Here’s a few things we tried.
We got soft serve ice cream twice from the grocery store in town- it was that good. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve had better soft serve in my life. Go ahead and get the waffle cone 🙂
Palace Market, 11300 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Dear Husband had a few oysters one afternoon to tide him over til dinner.
We also stopped at Bovine Bakery- no photos unfortunately- to pick up a couple of cookies and a baguette. You can’t miss it on the main drag in Point Reyes Station. It’s the place with the long line out the door!
You need three days in Tomales Bay, trust me
Our getaway was just perfect. The skies were blue and clear after so many weeks of rain. But it was brisk and windy- perfect hiking weather. And April just might be the ideal time to visit. The crowds were minimal and we had the trails largely to ourselves. And I’ve got the perfect place for you to sleep- stay tuned for my next post!
