Heart’s Desire Beach: Family Fun on Tomales Bay

Heart’s Desire Beach on Tomales Bay is one of our favorite family-friendly beaches in Marin County. Located at Tomales Bay State Park near Inverness, it offers calm, shallow water, a sandy beach, picnic areas, and easy access from the parking lot, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing beach day with kids. A longtime favorite with Marin and Bay Area families, Heart’s Desire Beach has been welcoming visitors since 1952.

Located on the opposite side of Inverness Ridge from the cooler ocean beaches of Point Reyes, Heart’s Desire features a beautiful stretch of sand along the calm, sheltered waters of Tomales Bay. With little to no surf and shallow water, it’s a great spot for kids to wade, swim, and play. The swimming area is surrounded by buoys to keep boat traffic away, while kayaks and canoes are common—the beach is also a popular launching spot for paddling on Tomales Bay.

If swimming and relaxing on the beach aren’t your thing, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore. Trails wind through shady wooded areas and lush ferns, connecting Heart’s Desire with other nearby beaches, including Indian Beach, Pebble Beach, and Shell Beach. A self-guided nature trail also connects Heart’s Desire and Indian Beach. The surrounding picnic areas are another great option, with many offering privacy and beautiful views of Tomales Bay.

Wildlife is another part of the experience here. Deer and birds are common, and on one visit we spotted numerous jellyfish along the water’s edge. While taking photos for this article, I had the uncanny feeling I was being watched. I turned around to find a small gray fox sitting quietly on the grass, watching my every move and seemingly unconcerned by my presence.

Heart’s Desire Beach is a beautiful, sheltered spot on Tomales Bay and one of our favorite Marin beaches for families with young children. Pack a picnic, grab your beach blanket and sand toys, and spend a relaxing day by the bay.

If you go

Heart’s Desire Beach is located at 1100 Pierce Point Road, Inverness, CA 94937, just north of the town of Inverness. It’s open daily from 8 am to sunset. Unlike nearby Point Reyes National Seashore, Heart’s Desire is part of California State Parks, so there is an $8 vehicle entry fee ($7 for ages 62+). Payment is by credit or debit card only. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches or trails at Tomales Bay State Park.

With its calm, shallow water, Heart’s Desire is a popular spot for swimming and wading when conditions allow, so bring swimsuits and swim gear on warm days. Buckets, shovels, and other sand toys are a must for little ones. Sunscreen and hats are also a good idea on sunny days. Since the weather in West Marin can be unpredictable, bring jackets or sweatshirts and dress in layers, as we usually suggest.

To get to Heart’s Desire Beach, take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard through Inverness, then bear right onto Pierce Point Road. Continue on Pierce Point Road until you see the sign for Tomales Bay State Park, then turn right into the park.

Learn more and plan your visit at Tomales Bay State Park.