Exerpted from 
Guide to Sea Kayaking Central and Northern California
Copyright 1999, The Globe Pequot Press. All rights reserved. No Part of this book may be reproduced or transmited in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording except as expressly permitted by the publisher.
 

Point Reyes National Seashore

Route 10: North Tomales Bay--Nicks Cove to Tomales Point and Beyond

With its proximity to Point Reyes National Seashore, Nicks Cove provides access to some of the finest paddling in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. A mile or so across the water from Nicks, Tomales Point jabs a rocky finger 14 miles up into the Pacific—a giant, natural breakwater 500 feet high, forming Tomales Bay, the longest, most uninhabited, stretch of protected salt water on this coast. From behind its bluffs and beaches rise deserted, windswept hills, quilted golden-green with coastal scrub and grassy meadows laced with wildflowers. Several of the beaches have access to the ridge trail running the length of Tomales Point and provide excellent hiking opportunities with expansive vistas of the bay, the Pacific and Point Reyes National Seashore. In addition to numerous daytrip options, this area is known for its excellent kayak camping opportunities, especially for those looking to try overnight touring for the first time. 

Trip Highlights: 
Kayak camping, wildlife, hiking, scenery, excellent access to intermediate and advanced open coast touring...

UPDATE (to Camping information on page 68: Camping permits now required.)
CAMPING: For overnight camping on Tomales Point, the National Park Service now requires backcountry boat camping permits (as of November 1999). No drinking water is available at campsites, so carry your own. Pit toilets are available only at Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach. All other camping beaches on Tomales Point are primitive with no facilities, and you are required to pack out all waste. This means that if you do not carry some sort of portable toilet, you can only get a permit to camp at Marshal or Tomales Beaches. For information and permits, contact Point Reyes National Seashore (415-663-8054).

Sample Map of Route 10: North Tomales
 
 

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