Tomales Bay State Park

Tomales Bay State Park, which lies on the western shore of Tomales Bay, includes approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) of waterfront, as well as several upland communities. There are several small wetland areas within the park. The main communities are closed-cone pine forest and mixed evergreen, with some coastal prairie.

The closed-cone pine forest, composed of Bishop pine, Pinus muricata, is one of the most extensive remaining virgin tracts in the County. In the mixed evergreen forest there is a variety of species including madrone, Arbutus menziesii, chinquapin, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, bay, Umbellularia californica, Quercus spp., and, in the understory, Western leatherwood, Dirca occidentalis, Ceanothus spp. and toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia. Some 300 species of wildflowers have been identified in the park. The rare Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. palustris grows here.

A variety of animals is found in the park. One of the more noteworthy is the spotted owl, Strix occidentalis.

Lying immediately to the west of the San Andreas Rift Zone, the bedrock of the park is composed of granitic tonalites and diorites.

Integrity: A day-use park, there is a variety of trails and other facilities. Most of the vegetation is virtually undisturbed.

Use: Research, educational, observational, present.

February 1978