Top Things to do in Marin County
Top Hotels in Marin County
- 1. Best Western Corte Madera Inn
- 2. Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa
- 3. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn
- 4. Best Western Corte Madera Inn
- 5. The Lodge at Tiburon
- 6. Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County
- 7. Marin Suites Hotel
- 8. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael Marin County
- 9. Inn Marin & Suites
- 10. Waters Edge Hotel
Countries
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Marin County, Marin County
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.
Restaurants in Marin County
1. Marin Headlands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,889 reviews
Located at the Point Bonita Lighthouse, these headlands offer a suspension bridge and hiking trail.
Reviewed By karen5326 - Grants Pass, United States
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.
2. Food & Farm Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 173 reviews
Come savor sustainability... Explore beautiful Marin and Sonoma on a gourmet guided tour! Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tours and tastings of the area's best wine, cheese, bread, pastries, produce, grass-fed meats, oysters and more! Learn about artisan food production, local history and sustainable agriculture - foodie's dream!
3. Point Reyes Safaris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 386 reviews
Point Reyes Safaris is a company dedicated to wildlife viewing and photography in Point Reyes National Seashore. 85 species of mammals and over 50% of North America's birds make this seashore home. Itineraries are custom to the desires of the group. We can accommodate groups of up to 8 people. Serious photography safaris are limited to 3 people.
4. Point Reyes Hiking Trails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By fdb572 - Hayward, United States
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. Mount Tamalpais State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 441 reviews
Beautiful state park north of San Francisco.
Reviewed By AdvtrTrvlr - Camarillo, United States
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.
6. Tomales Point Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States
This is a fairly easy trail to hike. It starts at an old Ranch area, which is rather interesting, in itself, to walk around and look inside the buildings. You then walk on the trail with stunning views of the ocean and cliffs almost the entire hike. No worries, there is plenty of land between the trail and the cliff edge. There are herds of elk on both sides of the trail and they are apparently quite used to people – as they didn’t seem the least bit worried, in particular the males with the full antlers. One mail elk was standing on the trail and we had to make a wide circle around it, as it didn’t seem the least bit interested in moving. We also had the luck of seeing a coyote not too far from the trail, which was a nice treat too. Near the end of the trail, it becomes a little more challenging, as the path is mostly soft sand and you need to hike that uphill. But it’s worth the hike to see the views from the top of the hill and all the seabirds on the rocks below. Be sure to bring a mask, as it was crowded the day we were there. Also, bring a jacket, as it could get quite cold against the ocean. Also note that there are no restrooms along the trail. If you arrive and need to go to the restroom, you can walk or drive down to the lower parking lot, downhill to the left of the old Ranch house area.
7. Soulstice Mind + Body Spa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Boutique massage therapy spa offering Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, Reiki, prenatal, trigger point and more! With five treatment rooms, we are happy to accommodate couples, small groups and families. Open evenings and weekends. Conveniently located minutes off Highway 101 in beautiful Sausalito, just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
Reviewed By roaminSF - San Francisco, United States
I love this place. I have gone to multiple different massage therapists and I have been impressed with all. I like going to different people as they all have a different style. Staff is super friendly. Calm environment.
8. Point Bonita Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
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.
Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States
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.
9. The Marine Mammal Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
The largest of six centers that rescue and rehabilitate seals and sea lions found along the California coast.
Reviewed By cyndiv2014 - Portland, United States
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+.
10. Point Reyes Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 759 reviews
Drenched in fog most of the year, this lighthouse is one of the foggiest in the country, and is a great whale-watching spot in the fall and spring.
Reviewed By raefb2017
I didn’t know what we were heading for. It was thanksgiving and the weather was cold and windy. We drove for 20 miles in roads where no one was there and no signal either. Then we came to the cliff and there it was; the strong winds that could pull you off the ground, the tilting trees, a fox and two dears, and the red lighthouse far down the cliff.. mystical and majestic... Protruding 13 miles into the Pacific Ocean, point Reyes (puntas di los Reyes) is truly the edge of the world!
