Elk Fence South Beach(Cataract Creek Beach)

Located in the northern part of the Tomales Bay Shoreline, Elk Fence South Beach is a beach with light brown sand and sparse vegetation. The beach is situated below coastal bluffs and is part of a national park called Point Reyes National Seashore. The area surrounding this beach is forested. Elk Fence South Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Elk Fence South Beach allows dogs. Getting to Elk Fence South Beach can be a bit difficult as this beach is only accessible via a kayak or a boat. There are many nearby boat and kayak launches that you can use to travel to Elk Fence South Beach including Lawson’s Landing which is in the nearby community of Dillon Beach and also offers boats on rent. Another kayak and boat launching spot is the Miller Boat Launch which is managed by Marin County and has an overnight paid parking facility. In addition, you can also find boat launching facilities in the nearby town of Inverness. 

Elk Fence South Beach offers many fun activities including camping, sunbathing, wildlife watching, swimming, picnicking, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and boating. The shallow and calm water near this beach is great for beginner swimmers, kayakers, and paddleboarders. However, the water here can also have strong currents during windy weather. During favorable weather, you can launch your kayak from this beach and explore Tomales Bay and the shoreline around it. As an interesting fact, Tomales Bay is home to bioluminescent marine organisms, which often light up during the night and create a beautiful visual marvel by making the water have a blue glow. This creates a unique and memorable experience and makes Tomales Bay a popular spot for night kayaking sessions. Depending on the time of the year you can see many kinds of animals around this beach including harbor seals (which live in Tomales Bay) and many kinds of seabirds. If you like fishing, you can also catch many kinds of fish in the water near the beach including surfperch and halibut. However, if you are planning to fish in the water here, please make sure that you follow the local fishing regulations. In addition, Elk Fence South Beach offers a marvelous Instagram-worthy view of the Tomales Bay shoreline. 

A popular activity in Elk Fence South Beach is tent camping - this beach offers a memorable waterfront camping experience. However, if you are planning to camp in Elk Fence South Beach, keep in mind that you need a permit from the National Park Service for doing so. In addition, it is important to note that Elk Fence South Beach, like the other camping beaches along this part of the Tomales Bay shoreline, does not have any amenities including trash cans, showers, and restrooms and you need to dispose of all the waste generated during your camping yourself to preserve the beach’s pristine natural environment. You can also hike in the area around Elk Fence South Beach and explore the Point Reyes Peninsula’s coastal landscape along Tomales Bay.

There are many attractions near Elk Fence South Beach. Pierce Point Ranch is a historic site that was a popular dairy ranch in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. The ranch offers a unique insight into the interesting history of Northern California. The site includes the main house, a blacksmith shop, barns, a dairy house, and a schoolhouse. Pierce Point Ranch is a part of the United States National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest surviving ranch houses in the Point Reyes Peninsula. Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park is a state park that was once the site of a radio receiving station that was used as a base of operations by the famous scientist Guglielmo Marconi. In addition, the state park has a diverse landscape consisting of various habitats including coastal scrub, pine forests, and grasslands that you can explore via walking trails. The park is also home to a variety of animals and birds making it a great wildlife-watching spot. If you are looking for another attraction near Elk Fence South Beach, Millerton Point is also a popular bird-watching spot and also has hiking trails for exploring its vibrant blufftop coastal landscape. In addition, Millerton Point also has an artificial osprey nesting site.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Elk Fence South Beach. Tony’s Seafood offers a pleasant waterfront dining experience and serves delicious seafood including clam chowder and fish and chips. Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar has a rustic ambiance and offers excellent seafood and sandwiches. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Elk Fence South Beach, Inverness Park Market has a modestly priced delicatessen that offers delicious burgers, sandwiches, bagels, quesadillas, and burritos.

If you are looking for a hotel near Elk Fence South Beach, there are many great nearby options. Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore offers many amenities including a hot tub, a saltwater pool, a tennis court, space for lawn games, and a barbecue spot. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Nick’s Cove that offers excellent views of Tomales Bay and also has a restaurant. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Elk Fence South Beach, the 2-Star Marsh Cottage is set in the wetlands around Tomales Bay and offers many amenities including a fireplace, board games, and binoculars. This cottage is conveniently located close to some of the major landmarks in Marin County.