Jacks Beach(Point Reyes National Seashore)

Located along the northern part of the Tomales Bay shoreline, Jacks Beach is a remote beach with light brown sand. This beach is a part of a National Park known as Point Reyes National Seashore. This beach is surrounded by dense forests. Jacks Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Getting to Jacks Beach can be hard as this beach is only accessible via kayak or boat. There are many nearby boat and kayak launches that you can use to travel to Jacks Beach including Lawson’s Landing which is in the nearby community of Dillon Beach that also offers boats on rent. Another great kayak and boat launching spot are Miller Boat Launch which is managed by Marin County and has a paid parking facility. In addition, you can also find boat launching facilities in the nearby town of Inverness. It is important to note that unlike some other beaches along the Tomales Bay shoreline, Jacks Beach is only open for day-use visits and overnight camping has been prohibited here since 2018.

Jacks Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, wildlife watching, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and boating. The usually calm and shallow water near Jacks Beach is great for beginner swimmers, kayakers, and paddleboarders. However, the water here can also have strong currents during windy weather. You can launch your kayak from this beach and have a fun kayaking session in Tomales Bay. 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 adding a blue glow to the water. This creates a memorable experience and makes Tomales Bay a popular spot for night kayaking sessions. The water near this beach is home to harbor seals and you can also see many seabirds here. If you like fishing, you can catch many kinds of fish in the water near Jacks 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. This beach is ideal for those looking for a quiet beach experience as it has few visitors due to its difficult access route. However, we strongly recommend leaving no trash and waste on this beach after your visit in order to keep the beach in its pristine natural condition.

There are many attractions near Jacks 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. Inverness Ridge is a mountain ridge that has hiking and biking trails that offer a unique insight into the interesting topography and vibrant biodiversity of Marin County. If you are looking for another attraction near Jacks Beach, the Jack Mason Museum of West Marin History has interesting exhibits on the rich history of Marin County and northern California.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Jacks Beach. Saltwater Oyster Depot is an upscale local restaurant that is famous for its oysters and oyster-based dishes. The restaurant also serves many other kinds of excellent seafood dishes including clam chowder, fish-and-chips, and seafood risotto. In addition, the restaurant has also been praised by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. The Marshall Store offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves delicious seafood (especially oysters) and sandwiches. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Jacks 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 Jacks Beach, there are many great nearby options. Osprey Peak is a Zen-themed bed-and-breakfast that offers many amenities including a mini-fridge for guest use, complimentary breakfast, and afternoon wine-and-cheese sessions. 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 Jacks Beach, the Abalone Inn offers many amenities including a garden patio, a hot tub, a lounge with a fireplace, complimentary breakfast, and massage treatments (for a fee).