The Story of Tomales: Land, Legacy, and Local Spirit

Our Roots: The Coast Miwok & The Frontier

Long before the first stagecoaches arrived, this land was the home of the Coast Miwok people. The village of Utumia once stood near the present-day townsite, where the community thrived on the bounty of the bay and the surrounding hills. To the Miwok, the rolling ridgelines were sacred — a “jumping-off place” for spirits journeying to the Farallon Islands.

By the mid-1850s, Tomales emerged as one of the oldest and most vital frontier towns in Marin County. It began not as a crossroads, but as a bustling port. Schooners would navigate the esteros to carry potatoes, grain, and butter from local ranches to a booming San Francisco during the Gold Rush. This agricultural heritage remains the heartbeat of our valley today.

A Legacy of Resilience: Fire, Rails, and the 1906 Quake

In 1874, the North Pacific Coast Railroad arrived, turning Tomales into a major rail hub. Travelers and merchants flooded the town, leading to the construction of grand hotels and the iconic Tomales Town Hall (built in 1874), which still serves as our community’s living room.

The town survived the devastating downtown fire of 1898 and the Great Earthquake of 1906. After every challenge, the community rebuilt, preserving the Victorian architecture and the “rural-at-heart” atmosphere that makes Tomales feel like a step back in time.

The Tomales Hotel: A Historic Crossroads

Standing at the heart of the township, The Tomales Hotel occupies a space steeped in hospitality. In the late 19th century, this corner welcomed ranchers, railroad passengers, and early coastal tourists. The hotel has been thoughtfully re-established to honor that legacy.

Our building bridges the old and the new — preserving the quiet soul of a 19th-century country inn while offering modern comfort. When you stay with us, you become part of a living timeline that includes pioneer merchants, dairy farmers, and the original Forty-Niners.

Culture & Community: The Tomales Way

Today, Tomales is a rare gem — a working agricultural village that has resisted the rush of the modern world. Our culture is defined by:

  • Agri-Culture: Multi-generational organic dairies, world-class creameries, and the famous oyster farms of Tomales Bay.
  • The Town Hall Spirit: Founders’ Day celebrations, community auctions, and gatherings centered around the historic Town Hall.
  • Stewards of the Land: A deep commitment to preserving local forests, wildlife, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Places to experience Tomales’ 19th-century heritage: