This hike in an oft-overlooked state park takes you up and down a hill, to quiet Pebble Beach, and then along the bay to more popular Heart’s Desire Beach.
Location: Tomales Bay State Park
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: easy
Shade: shaded
Parking: parking lot near picnic area ($8/vehicle, pay at park entrance)
Public Transportation: n/a
WC: at parking lot
Dogs: not allowed on trails or beaches, only at Vista Point picnic area
Hiked: Jan 2021, Aug 2025
Trail Route & Notes
Jepson Trail begins at the upper level of the parking lot (the lot near the picnic area, not the one at Heart’s Desire). The entire mile of Jepson Trail climbs up the hill, but it’s a gentle climb. At the first trail marker, continue onto Johnstone Trail. You’ll have to cross a paved private road, but it’s easy to spot the trail on the other side and the trail is well-marked. You Johnstone Trail splits, with the right fork going towards Shell Beach; go left towards Pebble Beach. Then Johnstone Trail splits again – here, take a little detour to the right towards Pebble Beach.
After a quick break for pictures or a snack, turn around to rejoin Johnstone Trail, which follows the shoreline. Keep on Johnstone past the picnic areas and parking lot, all the way to Heart’s Desire Beach. Then return via Johnstone to the parking lot.
The path can be a bit rough. It doesn’t appear to me that very many people visiting Tomales Bay State Park hike this loop. Most probably go to the beach, and indeed, in summer, the parking lot was quite busy but I encountered literally no one else on the trail. I would say that if you’re looking for a decent hike, Tomales Bay isn’t the best state park for that. But if you just want to add a hike to a day at the beach, this is a nice one.
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