Tomales Bay

 water, bay, estuary

Tomales Bay is a coastal estuary located on the central California coast approximately 40 miles northwest of San Francisco. It is manages/maintained by a partnership of agencies, Point Reyes National Seashore, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Marin County Parks and Open Space District.

The Bay, which fills the northwestern end of a rift valley at the intersection of the San Andreas Fault with the coastline, is approximately 20 km long, 2 km wide, and 6 m deep with mountainous terrain to the southwest and rolling hills to the northeast. Tomales Bay is one of the cleanest estuaries on the West Coast. In winter, approximately 17,000 to 20,000 shorebirds inhabit Tomales Bay and Bodega Bay, which lies directly to the north.

Tomales Bay requires self-sustained cruisers. There are virtually no amenities on shore. Plan to pack in what you need and pack out your trash. Don't plan to "reprovision," "re-ice," "refuel," and pump the holding tank with regularity because it's difficult to find a place to do it, and generally it will require a day trip to do so. Bring everything you need and in the quantity you think you'll need (and some extra). Conserve fuel, water, ice and holding tank space.

www.tomalesbay.net/