Location: Larkspur
Top Things to do in Larkspur
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Larkspur, United States
Larkspur is a city in Marin County, California, United States. Larkspur is located 3 miles (4.8 km) south of San Rafael, at an elevation of 43 feet (13 m). As of the 2010 Census, the city's population was 11,926. Larkspur is located north of San Francisco near Mount Tamalpais. Larkspur's Police Department is shared with that of the neighboring Corte Madera and town of San Anselmo as the Central Marin Police Authority. Intersecting Larkspur's downtown is Madrone Canyon, a residential area amidst a redwood grove.
Restaurants in Larkspur
1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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
4. Muir Beach Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By nimi111 - Pune, India
Definitely on the top, in my head when anyone will ask me about my best viewpoints.
You can get amazing views of ocean at many places but this was just special.
Perfect weather, perfect company, cool breeze, no crowd, just went ahead with the wind. Stood there a long time and just enjoyed the silence.
The place is well maintained, proper path given to reach the main overlook point and when you stand there, it takes your breath away!
5. Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By 99MD2015 - San Francisco, California
This site, with a 360 degree view of the Bay area and extending all the way to California Pt. (since blasted and leveled to create the Paradise Cay housing) was sacred territory to the Miwok Indians. To them, Turtle rock had a more profound significance than bouldering. Kindly treat this site with the reverence it deserves.
6. 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).
7. Blackie's Pasture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By adventurefamily05 - Richmond, Virginia
The Pasture is the starting point for a few trails that are easy walks. Nice views of the bay and city.
8. Marin Country Mart
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By georgegibbs
This is a great focal point of the local community and lots of different things. Firstly eating - loads of eateries - some hidden away and a wide range - from the Bistro style Farmshop with a very strong wine list and artisan menu to the Marin Brew Pub with local beers and pub food, mexican, Thai, Sushi, Rustic Bakery, Togo sandwiches, Belcampo Meat Restaurant, Ice Cream Shop, Cake shop, Starbucks.....did I miss anything?
There is outdoor space to eat and drink and for kids to play.
Nice set of clothing and other shops - clothes are expensive but hey this is Marin. Post Office, ATM, Book Shop, Butchers, Rustic Bakery, Soul Cycle, Ballet, Juice stand, jewellery shop, Bed Bath and Beyond and a Cookware/Homeware store, shoe shop and repairs, ......dentist, veterinarians, lots of parking (can be tight at weekends) plus Valet.
Jazz outdoors on Friday, Farmers Market on Saturday with Pony Rides for kids and Ducks and Chickens and Rabbits......face painting, free kids food, stalls produce etc etc.
Sunday is Food Trucks 11-3 I think....
$3 beer at the pub on Tuesday - what's not to like......
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. Muir Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Located in Marin County, this is the perfect beach for a picnic with spectacular ocean views.
Reviewed By fancypants2014 - Chicago, Illinois
Beach was small and intimate. Outhouse at parking lot. Also there is a trail with several difficulty options. We ended up here to hike because there wasn't any parking at Muir woods. Some trails were quite difficult, up up up without switchbacks. If I have to hike up and down I prefer switchbacks. Beautiful views.
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