Highlights and Muir Woods Reservations

Marin Civic Center Docent Tours

Posted Tuesday, May 30, 2023 by MCVB Staff

View Marin's Civic Center via a downloadable App with detailed information about the building so you can get a sense of the tour on your mobile device. Here's a link: https://www.marincounty.org/main/mobile-gallery


Experience Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin Center

When we do open again, join us for a private docent-led behind-the-scenes tour of the Marin County Civic Center designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Marin County Civic Center (1957) is one of the last major works of Wright’s career and his only realized project for a government entity.

During this 90-minute walking tour, you’ll get access to the Marin County Board of Supervisors Chambers and their private balcony, you’ll be eye level with the building’s iconic blue roof, you’ll see custom furniture designed Frank Lloyd Wright and built by inmates from San Quentin’s woodshop, and you’ll learn the complicated and scandalous history of the creation of the building from specially trained docents.

Widely considered to be the greatest American architect of the 20th century, Wright’s innovative design of the Marin County Civic Center dramatically illustrates the kinship of architecture to the surrounding landscape with long horizontal buildings that gracefully link the crowns of three separate hills.

Public Docent-led tours are offered every Friday at 10:30am starting in the Civic Center Cafeteria (Room 233). Pre-purchased tickets are highly recommended.

Guests should be prepared to walk/stand for 90 minutes. The tour covers approximately one mile in total distance.

Private Docent-Led Tours

Groups of 10 or more people must arrange a private docent tour one month ahead of the desired date by completing this form and emailing it to tours@marincounty.org.
Tours must be arranged for weekdays between 8:00am–3:00pm. The Marin County Civic Center is closed weekends.

Public Docent-Led Tours

When: Fridays only from 10:30am-noon
Where: Meet in the second floor Marin County Civic Center Cafeteria, Room 233
Cost: $12 adults, $7 seniors/students (plus fees).
Tickets can be reserved and paid online here

Self-guided Tours

Self-guided Tours: Give yourself a self-guided tour by using the Architectural Overview and Self-guided Tour brochure[PDF]. You can print it and bring it along when you visit the Civic Center.


 

 

The Marin Center is an outstanding venue for entertainment, meetings, and special events. The 55-acre campus includes a park and a 14-acre lagoon adjacent to the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. Information on events and schedule for the Marin County Fair is found at www.marinfair.org

Please click here to access the online Marin Center Magazine and Marin Center Events Calendar 

Marin Center performances and events have delighted Bay Area audiences for over 30 years. The 2020-21 season will once again spotlight acclaimed and celebrated entertainment from around the world. As the major performing arts, events center, and fairgrounds in Marin County, the Marin Center serves the community by presenting and expanding a variety of multi-cultural theater presentations, affordable rental venues, and professional expertise. Bringing art, music, dance, and performance of all kinds to audiences around the Bay, attendees also enjoy visiting the beautiful Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium inspired by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Marin Center also hosts year 'round galleries showcasing local art and artists in the Bartolini Gallery, Redwood Foyer Gallery, Civic Center Gallery, and Friends of Marin Center Gallery. For current exhibit information, visit Marin Center Gallery