The Journey Is the View

Stretching along the rugged spine of the Point Reyes peninsula, the Tomales Point Trail offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the national seashore. As the trail winds between Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean, hikers are rewarded with panoramic coastal vistas, rolling grasslands, and the chance to spot the area’s famous tule elk grazing nearby.

Because the trail is an out-and-back route, you can tailor your adventure to your schedule. Enjoy a shorter stroll to Windy Gap or continue farther toward Tomales Point for an even more immersive experience through this remarkable landscape. Spring wildflowers, coastal fog, and dramatic ocean views make every season feel unique.

Bring sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and don’t forget your camera—this is one of those places where the journey is just as memorable as the destination.

Among the Windswept Cypress

Planted around 1930, the Cypress Tree Tunnel is one of Point Reyes National Seashore’s most iconic landmarks. Towering Monterey cypress trees arch overhead to create a breathtaking natural corridor, offering one of the area’s most photographed and memorable scenic drives.

At the end of the tunnel, you’ll find the historic KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station, a reminder of Point Reyes’ role in maritime communications. Take a leisurely stroll beneath the trees, snap a few photos, and enjoy one of the seashore’s most peaceful and picturesque destinations.

The Heart Behind the Herd

Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with rescued animals while supporting a mission rooted in compassion, sustainability, and education. Home to goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, horses, alpacas, and more, the sanctuary provides a safe haven where every resident has a story of resilience and a second chance.

Guests can enjoy guided tours, special events, and hands-on experiences that bring them closer to the animals while highlighting the importance of animal welfare and mindful living. The peaceful setting encourages visitors to slow down, learn something new, and appreciate the special bond between people and animals.

Each visit brings opportunities to connect with the sanctuary’s feathered and furry residents while enjoying a peaceful setting that leaves a lasting impression.

California, Cultivated

Set among the rolling hills of Petaluma, McEvoy Ranch is a 550-acre organic working ranch celebrated for its award-winning extra virgin olive oils, small-lot wines, and picturesque landscapes. Family-owned for more than three decades, the ranch blends sustainable farming with a warm, welcoming visitor experience.

Choose from guided walking tours, scenic ranch cart experiences, or olive mill tours that take you behind the scenes of the olive oil-making process. Along the way, you’ll stroll through olive groves, admire outdoor art, learn about the ranch’s history, and sample estate-produced olive oils and seasonal culinary offerings. Reservations are recommended.

A visit to McEvoy Ranch is an opportunity to slow down, savor locally crafted flavors, and experience the timeless beauty of Northern California’s agricultural landscape.

The Coast Up Close

When the tide recedes, West Marin’s coastline transforms into a living classroom filled with fascinating marine life. Tide pooling offers a chance to observe sea anemones, colorful algae, sea stars, crabs, and countless other coastal creatures thriving in the rocky intertidal zone.

Nearby destinations like Duxbury Reef and the protected beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore are among Northern California’s most rewarding places to explore these unique ecosystems. Timing your visit around a low or minus tide provides the best opportunity to experience the incredible diversity found along the shore.

As you explore, help preserve this delicate environment by staying on bare rock or sand whenever possible, wearing sturdy footwear, and admiring wildlife without disturbing it. With a little preparation and a spirit of curiosity, tide pooling offers an unforgettable way to connect with the natural beauty of the California coast.

Stop and Smell the Lavender

Surrounded by rolling hills and coastal beauty, Point Reyes Lavender Co. invites visitors to slow down and experience one of West Marin’s most fragrant destinations. Family-owned and thoughtfully cultivated, the farm celebrates the beauty of lavender through its seasonal blooms and handcrafted products.

Stroll through the lavender fields, take in the calming scent carried on the breeze, and spend a few quiet moments in the Buddha Barn, where part of the farm’s lavender products are thoughtfully crafted overlooking the surrounding landscape. It’s an ideal place to pause, recharge, and appreciate the quieter side of West Marin.

Before you head out, browse the charming farm shop for small-batch culinary treats, body care, home goods, and gifts infused with the soothing essence of lavender. It’s the perfect place to find a unique souvenir to extend the calm and beauty of your visit long after you’ve left.

Discover Heart’s Desire Beach

Just across Tomales Bay from Lodge at Marconi, Heart’s Desire Beach offers a different perspective of the landscape you’ve been enjoying from the property. Located within Tomales Bay State Park, this sheltered cove is known for its calm waters, scenic shoreline, and relaxed pace.

Unlike the windswept beaches along the Pacific, the bay here stays noticeably calmer and often a bit warmer, making it a favorite among locals for swimming. Families with young children appreciate the gentle shoreline, while others come simply to spread out a blanket, enjoy a picnic, or linger by the water.

Bring a picnic basket, take a swim, or settle in beneath the trees with a good book before making your way back to the Lodge.

stewart trail:

Stewart Trail is a pleasant, relaxing, slow paced ride along the crest of a small ridge to a shady wooded trail leading into the “Enchanted Forrest” like nature. It is a great ride for beginners and youngsters, as well as, nature lovers.

fir top trail:

Climb up to the Inverness ridge, passing an osprey nest. You will view the Olema valley as you pass through redwood groves. Ride among moss covered towering Douglas fir trees that reveal peeks of the Pacific Ocean to the west. Fir Top Trail then drops down into the serenity of birch and alder forest along peaceful Olema creek.

private picnic ride:

The Private Picnic Ride is an unforgettable excursion that lasts approximately 3 hours and includes a picnic lunch surrounded by natural splendor. Lunch and soft drinks are included along with unparalleled scenic views.

Five Brooks offers many other riding experiences not listed here. Please speak to our front desk for assistance or learn more on the Five Brooks website here.

BIOLUMINESCENT night tours:

The combination of protected water and low ambient light makes Tomales Bay one of the world’s premier locations to experience the amazing phenomenon known as bioluminescence. From the comfort of a sea kayak, guests can witness millions of glowing plankton lighting up the surface of the bay. Night tours also offer the chance to see and hear wildlife not usually seen during the day.

day tours:

Discover the wonder of Tomales Bay alongside an experienced local guide. These daytime kayaking tours reveal the beauty of the surrounding landscapes while offering insight into the bay’s diverse ecosystem. Glide along calm, glassy waters as you spot osprey, cormorants, harbor seals, and river otters. Each route is designed to showcase the area’s rich wildlife and tranquil costal charm.

rentals:

Feel like going your own way? Tomales Bay Expeditions offers single and double kayaks both daytime and overnight (camping) use. Tomales Bay is great for paddlers of all skill levels, and each rental comes with kayaking instruction and a description of the routes to take for easy paddling and best wildlife viewing.

Reach out to Brett Miller (Owner and Guide) of Tomales Bay Expeditions with any questions at 415.798.2040 or brett@tomalesbayexpeditions.com.

BRING YOUR BINOCULARS

After more than a century away, northern elephant seals returned to Point Reyes in the early 1970s. What began with a single breeding pair near Chimney Rock has grown into a thriving colony that now covers several beaches along Drakes Bay and the Point Reyes Headlands.

From December through March, visitors can watch hundreds of seals gather for the birthing and mating season. Massive males claim territory while mothers nurse their pups along the sand. The best viewing areas include the Elephant Seal Overlook and South Beach Overlook, where rangers and volunteers often share insight into their behavior and conservation.

Seals are also present throughout much of the year during their molting and resting periods. Bring binoculars, dress for shifting coastal weather, and follow viewing guidelines to protect these remarkable animals and their fragile habitat.