Standing barefoot on Tomales Bay’s mucky western shoreline, with tidal mud oozing between my toes, I suddenly knew: I had found the Bay Area’s perfect camping experience.
That morning, my family and some friends — four adults and four young kids in all — had driven to a boat ramp on the east side of the bay, loaded up four kayaks with gear and launched onto the water.
Our destination: an isolated beach on the scrubby and undeveloped western side of Tomales Bay in Point Reyes National Seashore, accessible only by boat. It’s a long stretch of steep cliffs and pocket coves where dispersed camping is allowed — if you’re willing to paddle in and search for a suitable spot. Camping there is one of the Bay Area’s unique overnight adventures…