Hearts Desire to Marshall Beach

Summary: A very pleasant paddle in some of the most pristine scenery in the Bay Area. About five miles round trip, less if you paddle north on the ebb and south on the flood. A perfect place to practice rescues and rolling. Also an ideal place to practice your navigation skills by heading across to Marshall on a compass bearing.

Special Cautions: Watch out for small children when launching and landing at Hearts Desire beach and stay out of the swimmers-only area. Tomales Bay can experience high winds, especially in the afternoon.

Directions to launch site: First of all, get to Point Reyes Station. If the Bovine Bakery is open, get some pastries for the trip. Then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west. Drive through Inverness (4.5 miles) and after about a mile the road heads inland. After another mile and a bit take the right fork, then after another mile and a bit turn right into the Tomales Bay State Park. Parking is $5. There are bathrooms at the beach.

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