Inverness - Gateway to Pt.
Reyes
When you think of Inverness and Tomales Bay, you
always see oysters -- acres of oysters. The native
oysters were enjoyed by the Miwok Indians for thousands
of years. Today, West Marin oysters are cultivated and
grown by oyster farmers and served on the shell or in a
dozen other ways in the seafood cafes clustered around
the bay.
Some of these cafes are in the town of
Inverness, which lies on the sheltered side of the Pt.
Reyes peninsula, where if one had eternal life, one would
ride north toward Alaska thanks to the San Andreas Fault
which lies under the bay.
The town lies next to Pt. Reyes National
Seashore, one of the major natural attractions in
Northern Caloifornia.
Inverness was founded as a summer resort by
James Shafter, a lawyer and ranch owner who was a partner
in the narrow-gauge railway operation. He landed in debt
and paid it off by subdividing his land in 1889. This is
a cozy town, with period architecture. For the past
hundred years it has remained a rustic little seaport. A
museum in the library building displays artifacts of this
early Inverness development.
Tomales Bay State Park is also on
the quiet side, with swimming beaches, trails and picnic
sites. It is reached by taking Sir Francis Drake Highway
past Inverness. There are several sandy-bottom coves --
Indian, Hearts Desire (the main beach), Pebble, and Shell
-- with good swimming and sunbathing. There is a stand of
Bishop pine in the park, a species not found off the
peninsula. Rock cockles are abundant along the shore,
below the sandstone bluffs. There is a shady picnic area
of a dozen tables overlooking the water near Heart's
Desire Beach.
Inverness Hotels
Ten Inverness Way
(415-669-1648) is a B&B inn with four rooms in a
redwood shingle cottage with library, bar and
whirlpool.
Inverness Motel
(415-669-1081)
This standard motel has budget accommodation, with
restaurants nearby.
Blackthorne Inn, in nearby Inverness Park
(415-663-8621)
This is an unusual building, which grew like topsy, with
a windowed tower above the main building. Breakfast is
served.
Staying in a B&B is the preferred way to stay here
and for very cozy accommodations (one room only) you may
wish to stay at Rosemary Cottage (415-663-9338) a
French country cottage furnished with antiques with a
full kitchen and wood stove; or at Arbor Cottage
(415-663-8020) a private cottage with full breakfast; or
try The Ark (415-663-9338) another private cottage
with breakfast served.
Sandy Cove Inn (415) 669-2683, or 800-759-2683
is a Cape Cod-style inn set on four acres, close to Pt.
Reyes National Seashore. A short walk takes you to
Tomales Bay, a perfect stretch of water for canoeing and
kayaking. Guest rooms are furnished with Turkish rugs,
fireplace or stove, antique pine furniture, and original
artwork. Full gourmet breakfast is served with the
morning paper, in the solarium or in guest rooms.
