Location: Fairfax
Top Things to do in Fairfax
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10 Things to Do in Fairfax That You Shouldn't Miss
Fairfax is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, United States. Fairfax is located 3.25 miles (5.2 km) west-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 115 feet (35 m). The population is 7,441 at the 2010 census. Fairfax is the only town in America that holds a Green Party majority in the town council.
Restaurants in Fairfax
1. Mount Tamalpais State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 374 reviews
Beautiful state park north of San Francisco.
Reviewed By Yanchun Z
We live in the bay area and took us about 1.5 hour to drive there. It's a great place to visit, especially the East Peak, around the Fire Lookout. The view is spectacular at the highest point 2571 ft, 784 meter. Wear good sports shoes for hiking on the trails. The 0.7 mile rocky road to the highest peak is quite uneven you need to walk through it. You can easily find parking around there and need self registration payment. about $8. I shared the details in youishare.
2. Marin County Farmers' Market--San Rafael
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By GCarver2 - San Rafael, California
I've been going to the Sunday Marin County Farmers' market for the past 20 years. THere's an amazing variety of local producers--farmers, growers, bakers, fishermen, local food artisans and craftspeople. There has to be close to 100 in all. There's a really nice vibe to the place too, as the market is nestled in a hollow behind the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center.
Get there early--8am opening--as it gets crowded quickly
3. Golden Gate Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By bill s - San Francisco, California
30 minutes dock-to-dock between Marin County/Larkspur and AT&T Park in San Francisco, Cocktail lounge on board. 40 minutes dock-to-dock. Very pleasant ride and avoid the traffic, expensive ballpark parking and hassles. Not to mention views of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, Downtown San Francisco and the 3 most famous bridges in the world. $26.00 each for the round trip....Spectacular!
4. Stinson Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By VWriter - Los Gatos, California
Taking a day trip we drove along Highway 1 across the Golden Gate Bridge into the north bay area. About half an hour north was a beautiful, long stretch of sand and sea called Stinson Beach. It was one made for walking on and enjoying a day with Nature. It's part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and it's near Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods, all perfect for hiking and picnicking. We were lucky because the day was sunny; people we met there said that it can be foggy a lot.
5. Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
The Marin Museum of Bicycling is a bicycle history museum and cultural center in Fairfax, California. We are a local nonprofit organization, entirely volunteer-run and volunteer-created. The museum is the new home of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, which was founded in Crested Butte, Colorado in 1988. We have greatly expanded the Hall of Fame displays, to include numerous key examples in the evolution of the mountain bike. We also show the 19th century evolution of the bicycle itself, with the Igler Collection of "Golden Age" bicycles. These key examples take visitors through the fascinating development of this extraordinary vehicle from the 1860s to the turn of the 20th century. We also have a diverse selection of other items, many of them part of the Matteo Collection of bikes and ephemera ranging from 1915 to the 1970s. We also plan to create special, themed exhibits that will rotate throughout the year, keeping each visit fresh, interesting and fun. Experienced docents are on hand to guide visitors through the exhibits and answer any questions they may have.
Reviewed By wmleler - Portland, Oregon
It is rare when you get to go to a museum created by the same people who personally made the history (and the artifacts) chronicled by the museum. It is even more rare that these same people will enthusiastically give you a personal tour and tell you wonderful stories. We got two tours! One of the fantastic antique bicycles, and another of the mountain bikes. What a unique opportunity. Even if you aren't particularly into bicycles, this will be fascinating. Everyone in my party really liked it.
Particularly fascinating was the influence that bicycles had on other industries, including automobiles, aviation, and manufacturing. It is no wonder that aviation pioneers the Wright brothers were bicycle makers.
Yes, this is a small museum, but there is a lot packed into it, and we easily spent more than an hour there. It is well worth the $10 admission. I was surprised at the review complaining about the price, as it is far cheaper than other museums and attractions in the SF area and well worth it.
6. Phoenix Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By KEZC29 - Richmond, California
We joined the WildCare Family Adventures for this trip and once again we were so happy with the excellent teachings from Marco Berge who a long the way let us know about some of the plants, like Laurel, Bay Leaves, and the fauna around us, as well about the Bass fish at the Lake!
He took as for a short trail but really close to the Lake, and he made sure we were aware of the Ivy and Oak Poison to avoid walk to them, then we took a little break to enjoy the view, and a family having fun fishing there; then we continue for a more level and wide trail and went back to enjoy our snacks at the Phoenix Lake Park picnic area at the entrance of this park.
We met some people on bikes but there always courteous of walkers. You can take the long trail the will take you all around the Lake and back in over 2 hours, and I think is really nice, but our group has a lot of kids including babies, but enjoy the day just before getting to hot!
We were so lucky since the parking area is really small, and we arrived before 10 a.m. it was already full, but after 15 minutes one person left and we were able to take the spot. So, it is recommendable to arrive early to be able to find a parking place, since there is not allowed to park at the adjacent golf course neither on Lagunitas Road.
The park open form sunrise to sunset!
Dogs are allowed on leash and there is only some marked area where they are not, but there is plenty of trails to enjoy with our poochie furry family members, and remember to bring plenty of water for you both!
7. Imagination Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Norma W - Gilroy, California
A building on the downtown was razed several years ago, and the land bought by the city for park space. George Lucas donated statues of Indiana Jones and Yoda for the park.
8. Muir Woods National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism and the Mount Tamalpais Mill Valley Scenic Railway, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this coastal redwood preserve features majestic redwoods and scenic hiking trails that draw more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
Reviewed By Bill B - Baton Rouge
Parking reservations REQUIRED! It's very strict. They even have a flashing road sign way back in SF that tells you that, which I found humorous.
We made reservations the night before without a problem.
We rented a car for the day in SF and drove out. Not a bad drive, and quite pretty. Gets you out of the city. Probably a good 40 minute drive.
The trees are amazing. It's really impossible to capture in pictures. In March the weather was cool and damp, foggy in the groves. The atmosphere is really fantastic. Probably bring a jacket, especially due to the dampness in the air.
The trees are not always as thick at the bottom as I had imagined, but they grow so tall and straight with no branches until to top. There is some good information on plaques to read. Some of the oldest trees are indeed very thick, but I am from Louisiana and most are not as thick as a large oak tree. They are much taller, of course.
There is a walk of probably 1.5 miles that is well maintained. It runs parallel to a stream and is built up a little off the ground like a short deck. Almost feels like walking on the ground, so no problem for people with fear of heights (unless very severe). There are four bridges across the stream, with the fourth being end if of the trail. If you choose to cross the fourth bridge, the trail back is dirt, not decked. It is more elevated and would not be good for people with a fear of heights. But it is well maintained and not dangerous, usually wide enough for 3 people to walk abreast. This trail connects back to the main one at the first bridge. If you like, you can walk back the way you came on the decked trail. You can turn around at any time, and the walk is very easy, even handicapped accessible. No elevation change at all. They have really made it accessible to everyone to enjoy the beautiful trees.
There are much more challenging trails that branch off. We didn't take them, but I wish we'd had the time. They require 1-3 hours to walk, and I think they are far less developed than the main trails. They are supposed to be a lot more strenuous too. Maybe next time!
The gift shop is pretty nice. Small and not full of crappy stuff. We found a small 100 piece puzzle and some stuffed animals to bring back for our kids (2 and 4 years old).
9. China Camp State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Located on the grounds of an old Chinese fishing settlement, this park includes over 1,500 acres of beaches, hiking trails and picnic grounds.
Reviewed By Dudley H - Santa Fe, New Mexico
This was a Chinese Fishing Village that offers a lot of history. The people who created and settled this village were Chinese labors who had work on the transcontinental rail road and after its completion created a shrimping industry. Lot of evidence of how they worked and used their machinery.
10. Shibui Gardens Outdoor Spa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Shibui Gardens is a quaint, serene outdoor spa that offers hot tubs, cedarwood sauna, and massage therapy in a garden setting. It is set back from the street and surrounded by redwood fencing to afford a private little oasis to relax, reset, and rejuvenate your system. There are also self-applied skin treatments available including a Dead Sea Salt scrub, French Green Clay Facial, and herbal scrubs
Reviewed By 682shellym - Rohnert Park, California
I've had lots of massages locally and worldwide, but Shibui Gardens is very special. It's got rustic charm, sort of bohemian style. It feels like your close to nature. They offer many different kinds of specialty massages and a complimentary hot tub or sauna with an hour massage. I can't begin to tell you how relaxing it is to be in a warm tub prior to a great massage. It's something I think everyone should experience at least one, but I doubt it will be the last. I've been back a number of times and am really looking forward to the next time and the next time and the next.
