Hearts Desire Beach at Tomales Bay State Park

Heart’s Desire Beach is a family-friendly spot in Tomales Bay State Park. It has a grass area to spread out on and picnic tables as well to make spending a day there easier.

Hearts Desire is the beach next to the main parking lot so it will be busy on weekends and sunny days. North and south there are short hiking trails that lead to Indian Beach and Pebble Beach respectively. A longer hike on the Johnstone Trail takes you to Shell Beach at the south end of the state park. Another trail leads to a virgin grove of bishop pine trees known as Jepson Memorial Grove (look for a map and signs).

Hearts Desire Beach is protected and safe for swimming when the weather cooperates. Note however that the weather there can change and become cool and windy so bring extra layers for the day. The Vista Point Group Picnic Area can be reserved for weddings and other large gatherings.

To get there from Inverness, drive north on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Pierce Point Road and follow signs that point you into Tomales Bay State Park. If you want to go on a sunny weekend, then get there early because the gate is closed when the parking lot fills up and that can happen before noon on nice days. If it fills up, you can park for free at the Jepson Trailhead above Shallow Beach and hike 1.5 miles to Hearts Desire.

Address

1208 Pierce Point Road
Inverness, CA 94937

Park Name

Tomales Bay State Park

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach or the trails

Fees

Fee for parking

Activities

Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Hiking, Picnicking, Clam Digging, Birdwatching

Amenities

Restrooms, Picnic Tables, BBQs, Hand-carry Boat Launch, Swimming Area, Trails, Accessible Features

Links

Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart