Palomarin Trail - Hike near Bolinas, California
The Palomarin Trail,Bolinas,California
37.9341778, -122.7472993
3.7 miles NW of Bolinas, California
Address: The Palomarin Trail
GPS: 37°56'3.0"N 122°44'50.3"W
Maps | Directions
State: California
Trail Length: 9.40 miles
Elevation Gain: 1460 feet
Trails/Routes: 4.0 mi

Waterfalls Trails Wildflowers Pet Friendly

Hike

This hike is about 5 miles north from Bolinas is the Palomarin Trailhead. As you hike the trail you overlook the ocean and  beautiful beaches. The trail takes you up to different lakes and then ends at the beautiful Alamere Falls. Enjoy the stunning views of the pacific combined with varying terrain through forests, tall brush, and exposed dirt trails.

If you hike to falls during the summer, something great to do on your way back to the trailhead is to take a swim in Bass Lake. When you reach the path near the coast, it gets more narrow and steep. You'll often notice a little traffic jam as people figure out how to navigate their way down.

There are two steep parts when you're heading to the coast. The first steep path leads you just above the main part of the falls where you will see smaller waterfalls and the second leads you to the beach. If there are other people on the path with you, just leave room between you and them when you're headed down to the beach, just to ensure safety. 

This is not a dog friendly path. 

KEEP IN MIND: When you reach beach to the falls, remember that the park staff would prefer that visitors do not go to Alamere Falls itslef; it is advised that you view the falls from the beach. However, there is a "path" to the falls that is well known and can be navigated safely to get to the falls. Just remember to proceed with caution.

1.1K Edited by nicole97
947 Written by jamiegarrard

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Bolinas, California

  1. Head west on Wharf Rd toward Brighton Ave (43 ft)
  2. Continue onto Olema Bolinas Rd (0.3 mi)
  3. Turn left onto Mesa Rd (4.6 mi)
  4. Turn left (299 ft)
or

Take I-80 W to CA-37 W. Exit left on Atherton Avenue. Turn right on Novato Boulevard, and continue until Point-Reyes Petaluma Road. Take a left, then turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn left on CA-1 S, then take rights onto Olema Boulevard then Mesa Road. You’ll see the trailhead parking lot on your right.

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View from hiking the Palomarin trail courtesy of Cannabis Reports View from hiking the Palomarin trail courtesy of Cannabis Reports↗
Edge waves of the Palomarin Coast courtesy of David Abercrombie Edge waves of the Palomarin Coast courtesy of David Abercrombie↗
947

Added by jamiegarrard

Trails

Distance ?

4.0 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-250 feet

Real Ascent ?

576 feet

Real Descent ?

826 feet

Avg Grade (-1°)

-1%

Grade (-30° to 11°)

-59% to 19%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.