Heart's Desire Beach
Inverness, CA
Heart's Desire Beach is the main developed facility of Tomales Bay State Park, a calm bay beach with a half mile hike north to the quieter Indian Beach for anyone who wants to extend the visit. The water here is noticeably warmer and calmer than the ocean beaches nearby, genuinely swimmable for most of the year.
The genuinely calm, swimmable bay water sets it apart from the cold ocean beaches nearby, though the no-dogs rule and day use fee are worth knowing ahead of time.
How we score beachesWalk north to Indian Beach if Heart's Desire feels busy, the half mile trail thins the crowd out fast.
A day use fee applies; the exact amount is best confirmed at the entrance station.
Stairs, a path, and blufftop trails connect parking to the beach.
Dogs are not permitted on the beach.
Tomales Bay's water runs noticeably warmer than the open ocean nearby, making this one of the more swimmable beaches on this stretch of coast most of the year.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.