01
Best overall pick
Heart's Desire Beach
Tomales Bay State Park – Inverness Side • Sheltered Family-Friendly Bay Beach • Go-To Spot For Classic Inverness Beach Day
Calm, shallow bay water and easy access make Heart's Desire the no-brainer choice for a relaxed day on Tomales Bay.
Tucked into a protected pocket of Tomales Bay, this sandy beach stays relatively warm and mellow compared with the open-ocean shorelines nearby. A short walk from the parking area brings you to picnic tables, gentle water, and enough sand for kids to dig and explore. On summer weekends it fills up early, so locals tend to arrive in the morning and linger into the afternoon breeze.
02
Best quiet escape
Shell Beach
Tomales Bay State Park – Northern Coves • Small, Tucked-Away Coves • Ideal For Quiet Picnics And Reading
Shell Beach offers a pair of intimate coves reached by a short trail, perfect when you want Tomales Bay with fewer people.
From the modest roadside parking area, a wooded trail drops you down to pocket-sized sandy coves with a much more low-key feel than Heart's Desire. The water is typically calm, and the mood is slow: think blankets, books, and watching kayakers glide by. Bring what you need—the nearest services are back toward Inverness or Point Reyes Station.
03
Best for long walks
Limantour Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore – Limantour Spit • Wide, Gently Sloping Ocean Beach • Best For Long Walks And Bird Watching
A long arc of sand backed by dunes, Limantour feels expansive and airy, with room to walk for miles along the waterline.
Just over Inverness Ridge, Limantour trades Tomales Bay’s shelter for a broad, open Pacific horizon and big-sky views. The surf is usually moderate by local standards, and the shallow slope creates a wide intertidal zone that shorebirds love. It is a favorite for casual beachcombing and foggy strolls; pack layers, as wind and weather change quickly out here.
04
Best dramatic setting
Drakes Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore – Drakes Bay • Dramatic Cliff-Backed Shoreline • Top Choice For Scenery And Easy Access
Drakes Beach pairs striking sandstone cliffs with relatively gentle surf and a parking lot that sits almost directly on the sand.
The drive from Inverness out toward the lighthouse rewards you with this visually striking stretch of sand tucked beneath pale bluffs. The beach feels more enclosed than many Pacific-facing spots, and on calmer days you can wander along the base of the cliffs and watch the play of light on the rock. Services are limited and can be seasonal, so check ahead or come prepared with snacks and extra layers.
05
Best for a day trip
Dillon Beach
Dillon Beach Village – Outer Coast • Open, Surf-Facing Sandy Beach • Popular For Wave Play And Dogs
A short, scenic drive north from Inverness, Dillon Beach offers a broad swath of sand, consistent waves, and a laid-back beach-town feel.
This is where many locals go when they want a more classic surfy beach day than Tomales Bay can offer. The shoreline is wide enough to spread out, and you will usually see a mix of surfers, dog walkers, and families posted up with windbreaks and coolers. Conditions can shift from sunny to chilly and foggy in a single afternoon, so plan for wind and bring a change of clothes if you are getting in the water.