This weathered spit of land is nearly void of trees, and instead covered in grasses and coastal scrub habitat. It is very green at most times of the year, and bursts with more color in the spring. Common wildflowers are the yellow or purple petals of bush lupine, white flowers of coyote bush, and the blues of the blue-blossom shrub.

This colorful grassland is home to a rare variety of elk unique to Central California. One of their largest remaining populations lives right here on the Point Reyes Peninsula, and the Tomales Point Trail leads through some of their favorite habitat. You have a good chance of spotting them on this hike.

Besides the flora and fauna, views atop the peninsula are of the wide-open Pacific Ocean, verdant hills all around, and sea cliffs below—if clear of fog, that is. Windy, wet, and foggy weather are common on this exposed shoreline.

The ultimate cliff-top view is located at the very end of the trail at Tomales Point, but you can turn around anywhere on this out-and-back once you’ve had your fill. The one-mile mark at Windy Gap makes an easy hike and gives a decent chance of seeing the elk. For better odds at spotting them, continue farther on the trail, which eventually passes some dug-out ponds that the animals visit for water. The views get better and the crowds thinner the farther you go.

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hikingguide.htm https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlifeviewingtuleelk.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PointReyesNationalSeashore