Some say it’s different, but residents of Marin County like their home that way. We’re betting you will too! Nestled between San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Marin County includes the cities of Tiburon, San Anselmo, San Rafael and Corte Madera.
Activities in Marin County include the highly anticipated Concours d’Elegance, a festival of pre-1978 vehicles and British Sports Cars. Held at the Marin County Fairgrounds in May, the event features a wine-tasting, fine food and “The Drive,” a parade of classic cars winding their way through the scenic back roads of Marin and neighboring Sonoma Counties ending with a lunch reception in San Rafael. In July, be sure to head to the Marin County Fair and in August hit the San Rafael Food and Wine Festival. Treat yourself to some of the world-renowned local wine and watch the sun go down over the hills.
Of course, there’s no shortage of natural beauty in Marin County. Beach lovers will enjoy Stinson Beach or Point Reyes National Seashore where wildlife abounds. Here you just might spot some Elephant Seals or Tule Elk among the rugged terrain or, from Point Reyes Lighthouse, catch a glimpse of a pod of whales. Go butterfly or bird watching and enjoy the many natural wonders of California’s Northern Coast.
For some, no vacation would be complete without a round of golf. If you’re a golf aficionado, Marin County will not disappoint you. The area boasts several public and private courses in a variety of settings, including San Geronimo Golf Course. Situated on 150 acres of stunning landscape, this is a challenging course designed to test your game! Or, try the StoneTree Golf Club, a daily fee, 18-hole championship course. If hiking is more your style, check out Angel Island State Park. Accessible only by ferry, Angel Island offers spectacular views of most of the Bay Area, including San Francisco. Fishing more your style? Try McNear’s Beach Pier in San Rafael.
5.0 based on 1,889 reviews
Located at the Point Bonita Lighthouse, these headlands offer a suspension bridge and hiking trail.
It is surprising to get such a sense of wildness so close to the city, but the Marin Headlands give you that experience. The Visitor Center was worth a stop and had interesting exhibits, helpful staff, and a good array of books and gifts. It is worth a drive to the end of the road if you have the time.
5.0 based on 187 reviews
Earthquake Trail is an easy, level six-tenths of a mile, half-hour loop with Interpretive signs about the San Andreas Fault Zone, which it traverses, which infamously shook San Francisco in 1906. The Trail starts from the Bear Valley Visitor Center parking lot; picnic tables (subject to COVID-19 restrictions) and restrooms with sinks and flush toilets at the parking lot. No earthquakes near this trail for over 100 years! Take water on any of the following hikes; do not drink water from streams or springs. Unless you're sure you know how to identify poison oak and stinging nettle, stay on trails and you'll be fine. All of the trails mentioned in this review are broad and easy to follow. Delight in a gentle hike on my favorite trail in the whole world, Bear Valley Trail from Bear Valley Visitor Center to either Divide Meadow, a 3.5 mile round trip on a broad trail, with restrooms and limited sunny picnic tables (subject to COVID-19 restrictions) or to the Sea ( 8.4 mile round trip, informal picnicking, not hiked this month, but have hiked it many times in the past). Bear Valley Trail mostly follows a brook, with a feast for the senses: The babble of the brook, the breeze meandering through the trees, the chatter of the birds, and the rich scents from bay laurel trees and moist earth will keep you busy gazing here and there and sniffing the fresh air. The banks of the creek are overgrown with ferns to a height of ten feet, while the thousands of ferns, shrubs and trees provide so many shades of green that they provide sharp contrast to the bluest sky anywhere (or to the grayest sky on cloudy days). Most of the trail is cooled by shade and partly sheltered from the wind. Take water or beverages. Bikes are allowed past Divide Meadow, as far as the intersection with Glen Loop Trail. Another favorite of mine is Sky Trail from the summit of Limantour Road at Sky Trailhead to Sky Camp and back, about 4 easy miles.One climbs a couple hundred feet on this old ranch road, which opens up vistas of Drake's Estero and beaches on both sides of the Point Reyes peninsula all the way out to the distant point. Wander around Sky Camp about 1,000 feet above the sea, where it seems like this lofty perch lets one see all the way to Asia on clear days, but that may be just hyperbole! Bikes are allowed as far as Sky Camp. You can hike along Limantour Beach in either direction for a mile or more from the parking lot, with modest beachcombing along this sandy beach with gentle surf. Similar hiking along Drake's Beach, with a longer drive to get there but the reward is fewer people on the beach, and some shelter from the wind provided by the nearby cliffs. In contrast, the beaches on the exposed northwestern shore of the peninsula are totally different, with chaotic surf and strong undertow which makes entering the water quite dangerous. These beaches are much windier than Limantour Beach or Drake's Beach on the sheltered side of the peninsula, yet still provide miles of hiking with fewer people and a wilder experience and better beachcombing. Easy access from parking lots near North Beach and South Beach; in contrast, one must hike from 0.4 to 1.8 miles from the parking lots to the beaches at McClures, Kehoe, and Abbott's Lagoon, all on the exposed shore facing northwestward. These are just my favorites. For official info on the 150 miles of hiking trails, the herd of elk always visible from Pierce Point Road, and the reservable hike-in campgrounds, go to Point Reyes National Seashore’s official site online, or to the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
5.0 based on 441 reviews
Beautiful state park north of San Francisco.
This area is north of the Marin Headlands and the Muir Woods. We drove all around on the Panoramic Highway down to Stinson Beach. Many of the roads are very narrow and have sharp curves. The main thing to do in this park are countless numbers of hikes you can do, many from the woods / mountains all the way down to either Muir Beach or to Stinson Beach.
5.0 based on 129 reviews
SO much fun for biking, both road, and mountain. It is an awesome family-friendly location, and it is so much fun to visit.
5.0 based on 204 reviews
Which I am one. I tour Coastal Artillery forts/batteries whenever I travel. This is a must. The view of the ocean is wonderful. The entire Marin Headlands area with Fort Baker, Fort Cronkite, Fort Barry etc is fantastic for the outdoors hiker and military history buff.
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Point Bonita today is part of the largest urban national park in the United States, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A secret jewel of the Bay Area, Point Bonita is still an active lighthouse. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the lighthouse and the National Park Service provides access to visitors. Point Bonita Lighthouse is reached by a half mile trail that is very steep in parts. Discover Point Bonita's wild landscape, geology and fascinating history. The tunnel halfway to the lighthouse is open only during visiting hours: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A must-see for tourists and locals alike. This is a very unique spot with some of the most amazing views of the Golden gate area and the Pacific Ocean. On a foggy day it's like you're living in a movie. On a crystal clear day you can see the farallon Islands.
4.5 based on 212 reviews
At BADM, the safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority. Based on the recommendation of the California Department of Public Health, BADM has closed and will remain closed until March 31, 2020. This closure is in response to public health recommendations surrounding COVID-19. We are not aware of any BADM visitor or staff person that has been exposed to the virus. We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will be providing regular updates to our community via email, our website, and our social media channels. Thank you for your continued support of the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
We have been going there since my grandson could crawl. Now he is exploring all of the park because he is 6. Always a unique activity for all ages and abilities
4.5 based on 675 reviews
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the nation's largest national park in an urban area, encompasses nearly 81,000 acres. Spanning Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, Golden Gate National Recreation Area also includes areas such as Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Presidio of San Francisco, and the Marin Headlands.
I have spend the last 30 years exploring various pieces of the amazing Golden Gate National Recreation Area - everything from Alcatraz to Fort Point to the expansive Marin headlands area. I hiker's paradise, the photo ops are some of the best in the world and there are wonderful opportunities to learn more about California history. Pick and small piece and go explore! You will be rewarded with wonderful memories!
4.5 based on 339 reviews
The largest of six centers that rescue and rehabilitate seals and sea lions found along the California coast.
The Marine Mammal Center is a hospital for injured animals. They house and rehabilitate any number of marine mammals including sea lions and sea otters. There are several stations where visitors can learn about tagging and how biologists track animals, fishing nets and the dangers they pose to sea life, and how they care for their patients. I visited with my boisterous son on a Thursday afternoon. If you have an active child, this may not be the best place to come if there isn't a tour. It is a hospital, and they try to keep it quiet for the animals' comfort. My son was anything but quiet. We're looking forward to visiting again when a tour is happening; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The gift shop is also A+.
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Located in Marin County, this is the perfect beach for a picnic with spectacular ocean views.
Wow. This was exactly what I pictured for a Northern California beach. I wish I had called ahead to arrange a beach wheelchair for my disabled son. I'm surprised it was not crowded considering how close it is to San Francisco. The drive is an adventure!
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