Tomales bay boat in camping

Who's done it?  Any pointers?

Thanks,
Nate

Get fire and camping permits in Olema.

If you plan to fish at night try to find a beach with a nice slope to it. When I did it we were on a beach with a shallow slope and when the tide went out there was 30 yards of mud flats. I hooked a big-ass ray, slopped out through the mud to release it, and promptly said f**k that, no more fishing tonight.

Pretty sure you can camp on any beach North of Indian Beach and South of Inverness. Three of us paddled in so we launched from Nick's Cove and paddled straight across to a beach just South of Hog Island. We put all our firewood and heavier stuff in my buddy's 13' aluminum boat.

It was an awesome experience and I can't believe I haven't done it again since.

Oh yeah, we went during the elk rut and the ranger who gave us our permits told us no matter what we do stay off of the trails and avoid the elk at all costs!!!   

when are you going. I think next week is around the time the biolums are glowing? I saw that on Claveys site and was told its really cool to see by 707eric.

I just did this last week. It was awesome. You need to book online then pick up permits at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Olema. Call them. You may be able to just book when you get there. We camped on Marshall Beach, one of two beaches with pit toilets. The other beaches have no facilities and you have to pack out EVERYTHING. Blue Waters Kayaking motored out a full camp kitchen and camp chairs for a big party that was all set to camp there, but the party cancelled so we got to use their kitchen!

I fished one morning at Hog Island with a bunch of other boats. Saw two halibut caught but I didn't catch any myself.
Definitely worth doing.

Tomales Bay boat camping is great! They reserve some same-day permits for people that show up at the Bear Valley visitor center, but you can only get a single night this way. Many of the beaches are pristine-- help keep them that way by building your fires below the high tide line, etc.

Thanks everyone.  I wanted to go this weekend but the prospect of sleeping on a cold windy beach where I'd have to pack out my own poop was kind of daunting.  I might go for a long day trip to check the bay out first.

Tomales Beach and Marshall Beach both have pit toilets. Marshall is nicer in my opinion.