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|
 Judge
James Shafter, whose sharp-eyed family wound up with the Point Reyes
peninsula following California statehood, subdivided the wooded west
shore of Tomales Bay in 1889 to recover some railroading losses. Inverness
- Shafter was a Scotsman - served as a summer town from the start, a
magnet for many of the Bay Area's comfortable set and later, refugees
from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake who unknowlingly relocated atop
the same, mischievous San Andreas Fault. Over time, Inverness has also
drawn its share of artists and academicians.
Photo: Great Blue Heron ©Richard Blair A high percentage of the homes remain with their original families. One can find Shafter descendents, as well as the grand-nephew of the last tsar of Russia, plus heirs to this or that fortune that was gained generations before dot.com Monopoly money. Many old-timey traditions survive: swimming lessons at Shell Beach (at the end of Camino del Mar), a full calendar of sailing races in summer, foot races on July 4, and in early spring, the garden club's Primrose Tea. To walk the shady lanes under a canopy of bay, oak, and pine, is to sense a bygone era of endless family picnics, with kids meeting up to adventure in the woods or camp on the beach - an era, observes local writer John Grissim, which if it didn't exist, it certainly should have. For the
visitor, Inverness marks the last settlement before entering the mass
of the Point Reyes National Seashore, 72,000 acres of wilderness and
beach and ranchland from which one can still see San Francisco. The Inverness Library on Inverness Way houses the Jack Mason Museum in the former home of the West Marin historian. Museum hours match the libraries, which are patchy, although it's easy enough to get an appointment to see Mason's archives. The number to call for information is (415) 669-1099. The Inverness Ridge presents dozens of choices for lodging. Offerings range from the minimal - the youth hostel in the Point Reyes National Seashore - to well-established and highly ranked bed-and-breakfasts, which draw birders or whalewatchers or wedding-goers throughout the year. Eating out, too, comes in several styles, from take-out deli sandwiches to wine and candlelight. |
| Entertainment/Recreation/Outings |
| Blue
Waters Kayaking P.O. Box 983 Inverness, CA 94937 (415) 663-1743 |
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| Wilderness kayaking and hiking tours just an hour north of San Francisco! Two sites on Tomales Bay featuring pristine beaches and protected waters. Offerings include naturalist-led tours, classes, rentals, overnight camping, summer youth camps, kayaking and whale-watching trips in Baja, Mexico and Alaska. | |
| Retail |
Spirit Matters |
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| A marvelous array of wonderful body, home & garden adornments, wise & compassionate books, spiritually nutritious artwork, statuary, jewels, cards, incense. (Oh, yeah, fabulous gifts too!) | |
| Food/Restaurants |
| Busy
Bee Bakery |
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| Mostly organic old fashioned baked goods and espresso. Custom orders welcome Open Mon Thurs Fri 7.30am - 4pm and Sat & Sun 8am - 5pm | |
Ferrari Catering and Event Coordination |
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| 20 years...creating quality Coastal Events...Weddings, Celebrations, Business & Travel Groups, Retreats, Non-Profits. Using Local and Sustainable Businesses for Flavor Profiles. Styling, Consultation and "Day Of Event: Coordination. Special Events Co-Ordinator for The Station House Cafe. | |
| Priscilla's |
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| Located in historic building. Serving great pizza, salads, sandwiches, pasta, daily specials & desserts. All made with fresh ingredients. Fine wines, beer, organic coffee drinks & tea. Enjoy dining indoors or out. | |
| Lodging |
| Bayshore
Cottage Bed & Breakfast 12732 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Inverness, CA 94937 Tel/Fax (415) 669-1148 |
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| A romantic, cozy cottage in a quiet secluded garden setting, looking toward Tomales Bay. A quiet getaway for lovers & honeymooners. A private deck with hot tub and gas BBQ just out the cottage door, and beyond the gardens, a boule court and a private pier and gazebo on Tomales Bay. | |
| Blackthorne
Inn P.O. Box 712, 266 Vallejo Avenue, Inverness Park, CA 94956 (415) 663-8621 www.blackthorneinn.com E-mail: susan@blackthorneinn.com |
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| Blackthorne Inn described by Forbes.com online magazine as one of "the most romantic hotels in the world" and a "carpenter’s fantasy" by Sunset magazine. Resembles a giant elegant treehouse. | |
|
Dancing Coyote
Beach |
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| Four lovely cottages on a private beach. Fireplaces, kitchens, decks, lovely garden and water views. A place to listen to the tides and gather in the peace. | |
| Golden
Hinde Inn |
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| Located on Tomales Bay. Pool. Beach. Marina. Onsite Restaurant and Kayaking. 35 rooms, many with fireplaces and water views. Pets allowed. | |
| Inverness
Secret Garden Cottage |
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| Romantic, secluded one bedroom, one bath, fully-equipped kitchen, fireplace, outdoor bathhouse with tub, large sunny deck, lush woodland gardens, bay and forest views. Adjacent to Tomales Bay state park & Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Bay views. | |
Inverness Valley Inn |
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| Beautiful comfortable eco-friendly lodging on 15 acres across from Tomales Bay. Hot spa, saline pool, tennis courts, picnic, trail. Rooms and suites have kitchenettes, fireplaces, private patios, skykights. Welcome individuals, couples, families, groups and dogs. | |
Motel Inverness |
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| Gracious lodge overlooking Tomales Bay. Cozy rooms, spacious suites and our own magical dacha on the water. "It's the perfect place" -Frommers. Free Internet & organic coffee. | |
| Rosemary
Cottages Bed & Breakfast 75 Balboa Ave., PO Box 273 Inverness, CA 94937 (415) 663-9338 www.rosemarybb.com E-mail innkeeper@rosemarybb.com |
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| Our trio of cottages provide a relaxing escape with amenities of a B&B or the independence of a vacation rental for couples or families. Each cottage offers incomparable beauty and lodging convenience at reasonable raes. | |
| Ten
Inverness Way P.O. Box 63 Inverness, CA 94937 (415) 669-1648 www.teninvernessway.com E-mail inn@teninvernessway.com |
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| Nestled in a nostalgic waterfront village, this charming 1904 redwood-shingled B&B features a stone fireplace, sunny library, garden hot tub, gourmet breakfasts, afternoon treats and evening wine and cheese. Trail guide services available. | |
Terri's Homestay |
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| Be our guest in this peaceful hidaway, atop the Inverness Ridge, amidst breathtaking gardens, bird songs, wildlife and rejuvenating ocean air. Drive 12 minutes to restaurants, shops, Bear Valley Visitors Centor or walk 10 minutes to the Park's trails for ocean/bay views and aboreal sanctuary. | |
| The
Tree House B & B |
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| A secluded and peaceful getaway located on Inverness Ridge with a view of Pt. Reyes Station and surrounding hills. Children & Pets welcome. | |
| Real Estate |
Dan
Morse Real Estate Leading the way in west Marin for twenty one years. Inverness and Point Reyes our specialty. Call for a list of available properties or visit our website |
| What
to do || Where to stay || What
to eat || Where to shop || Visitor
services || Map || Links
|| Contact Inverness || Marshall || Muir Beach || Olema || Point Reyes || Stinson Beach || Tomales |
