7 Best Places to Paddle Board in Tomales Bay, CA

Discover the serene beauty of the California coast as you glide through the waters of Tomales Bay.

Experience paradise in one of the best places to paddle board in Tomales Bay, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and abundant marine life.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure and immerse yourself in the wonders of this stunning location. Are you ready to make a splash?

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Planning Your Paddle in Tomales Bay

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from April through November. September is the warmest month, averaging 70 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 16 miles that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Blue Waters Kayaking. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Tomales Bay

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Heart’s Desire Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Heart’s Desire Beach, Tomales Bay State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm Bay Waters, Occasional Afternoon Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, bat rays, seabirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Tomales Point, Tomales Bay State Park
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Use caution during windy conditions, follow park regulations

Heart’s Desire Beach, located within Tomales Bay State Park, offers a calm and scenic paddleboarding experience.

The protected waters of the bay make it an ideal location for beginners and those looking to enjoy the abundant marine life and beautiful views of the surrounding parklands.

#2 Chicken Ranch Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Chicken Ranch Beach, Tomales Bay (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm and Shallow Bay Waters, Mild Afternoon Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, bat rays, waterbirds
️🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Tomales Bay shoreline, hills and valleys
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Beware of sharp shells on the beach, respect private properties

Chicken Ranch Beach is a sheltered and picturesque spot on Tomales Bay, perfect for families and easygoing paddleboarding adventures.

Its shallow, calm waters provide a safe environment for beginners and a relaxing day out on the water for the more experienced.

#3 Millerton Point

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Millerton Point Parking Lot, Tomales Bay (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to Moderate Bay Waters, Steady Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, bat rays, migratory birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Tomales Bay shoreline, nearby hills
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Stay aware of changing wind conditions, follow park rules

Millerton Point offers a panoramic view of Tomales Bay and ample opportunities for paddleboarding. The surrounding landscape combines the beauty of the bay with rolling hills, providing a picturesque setting for paddleboarders to enjoy.

Take advantage of the steady winds for a more challenging experience or stick to the calmer waters near the shoreline for a leisurely cruise.

#4 Lawson’s Landing

🏖️ ️ Location Type: Oceanfront, Bay
📍️ Access Point: Lawson’s Landing, Dillon Beach (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Ocean Swells, Calmer Bay Waters, Afternoon Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, shorebirds, migrating whales
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Tomales Bay entrance, Dillon Beach
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Pay attention to ocean swells and currents, follow safety guidelines

Lawson’s Landing, located at the mouth of Tomales Bay, offers paddleboarders a mix of oceanfront and bay paddling. This unique spot provides stunning views of Dillon Beach and allows you to experience both the swell of the ocean and the calm bay waters.

Be prepared to share your paddleboarding adventure with numerous seals and shorebirds in this scenic paradise.

#5 Miller Boat Launch

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Miller Boat Launch, Tomales Bay (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm Mornings, Afternoon Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, bat rays, seabirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Point Reyes National Seashore, Inverness
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Check tide conditions, keep distance from wildlife

Miller Boat Launch, situated near Point Reyes National Seashore, is a well-known access point for paddling in Tomales Bay. The location offers calm mornings and more challenging afternoon winds, making it suitable for all skill levels.

Paddleboarders can enjoy the scenic beauty of the nearby national seashore and may even spot some seals or bat rays in the water.

#6 Nick’s Cove

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Nick’s Cove Public Boat Launch, Tomales Bay (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm Bay Waters, Foggy Mornings, Mild Afternoon Breezes
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, waterbirds, fish
️🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Nick’s Cove, rolling hills, historic fishing pier
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Pay attention to boat traffic, respect local marine regulations

Nick’s Cove offers a tranquil and historic setting for paddleboarding in Tomales Bay. The calm bay waters provide an excellent environment for beginner and experienced paddlers alike.

Take in the picturesque views of the historic fishing pier and rolling hills as you explore this secluded gem on your paddleboarding adventure.

#7 Marshall Beach

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍️ Access Point: Marshall Beach Road, Tomales Bay (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm Bay Waters, Occasional Afternoon Winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seals, seabirds, fish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic Tomales Bay shoreline
⚠️ Safety, Environment, and Rules: Keep distance from wildlife, be aware of windy conditions

Marshall Beach is a secluded beach on the eastern shore of Tomales Bay. Accessible via a short hike from Marshall Beach Road, this spot offers calm waters and scenic views.

Paddleboarders can enjoy a serene and tranquil experience in this less-crowded location.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case