Marin County is a paradise for outdoor recreation - with weather that allows visitors and residents to enjoy mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and sailing all year round. But it's also a wonderful place to do next to nothing at all.
Marin County’s lands represent outstanding examples of Northern California environments including oak-bay woodlands, savannas, grasslands and salt marshs. These habitats are managed and protected to enhance their natural, undeveloped character while accommodating educational activities and trail-oriented uses. Outdoor recreation – hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and all manner of water sports including sail boarding, surfing, fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing – is what Marin County is all about. Additionally, seasonal phenomena like the migration of whales, bird watching, garden tours, and wildlife and scenic painting and photography are unique features of Marin. Aside from the natural side, there is also baseball, golf and the raceway.
Some of Marin’s most exhilarating outdoor destinations:
National Parks, including Muir Woods National Monument and Point Reyes National Seashore
State Parks, including Mt. Tamalpais, China Camp, and Angel Island
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Marin Headlands, Muir Beach, and Stinson Beach.
Marin County's Department of Parks & Open Space offers seasonal trips and events for both families and individuals. View the Spring 2013 Season Ranger Events for outdoor ideas.
Midweek excursions in the late Fall through early Spring seasons offer some of the most advantageous opportunities to enjoy Marin’s great outdoors. While doing so, please be respectful of our environmental treasures. Contact or visit the various park services to help you tread lightly.
Beaches | Biking | Bird Watching & Butterflies | Camping | Fishing
Golfing | Hiking | Horseback Riding |Kayaking / Water Sports | Recreation | Sports
Whale Watching & Sea Lions | Wildflowers
Beaches in Marin County
Marin has a variety of beaches, great for beachcombing, tide-pooling, wave-watching, bird watching, sun bathing, kayaking, and boating. The weather at these beaches can change considerably during the course of the day. Wear layers that you can add and remove as the temperature drops and rises.
Swimming conditions vary by location. Prior to entering the water, please check with park rangers, park personnel, or lifeguards about conditions and always obey the posted warnings.
Agate Beach Park
This 6.6 acre park is located near Bolinas along the Pacific coastline. It provides access to almost two miles of shoreline at low tide and is a wonderful area to explore tidal pools.
Go to: Marin County Parks and Open Space for more information. 
Angel Island State Park
Tiburon, CA 94920
415-435-1915
www.angelisland.org
Access to the Island is by public ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon and Vallejo or by private boat. The beaches at Quarry Point and Ayala Cove are sandy and protected from the afternoon breezes. The water at Perle’s Beach is considerably rougher, and the beach is more exposed to wind and weather. The view is spectacular and Perle’s Beach is a delightful place for beachcombing. For ferry information, please visit www.angelislandferry.com.
China Camp State Park
101 Peacock Gap Trail
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-456-0766
www.parks.ca.gov
China Camp State Park is located on the southwest shore of San Pablo Bay, three miles from downtown San Rafael. The 1,512-acre park has a variety of natural scenery and some fine trails along San Pedro Ridge. Visitors enjoy picnicking, wildlife-watching, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, boating and windsurfing.
*Due to current budgetary cutbacks in all of California's State Parks, service reductions have been in place. Effective July 1, 2012 China Camp State Park has been saved from closure by a local group called Friends of China Camp.
General Park Hours: 8:00am to Sunset; Gate at Back Ranch Meadows Campground: Open 8:00am to 9:00pm. Gate is closed at 9:00pm
Golden Gate National Recreation Area / Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Fort Barry, Building 948
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-331-1540
www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm
Whether you are a visitor to the Bay Area or a lifelong resident, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) offers you experiences you can find nowhere else. The national park area has some world renowned destinations – Alcatraz and Muir Woods, for example – as well as some places where you might not encounter another human being. Since 1972, GGNRA has grown to more than 75,000 acres, including beaches (Muir and Stinson), Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, and many hiking and biking venues that are scattered to the north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge. To download a map of trails and beaches, please visit: http://home.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/maps.htm
McNears Beach Park
201 Cantera Way
San Rafael, CA 94901
www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/ParkRes/
55 acres located off south San Pedro Road along the shore of San Pablo Bay, the County's most popular park offers a seasonal swimming pool, tennis courts, family and group picnic areas-available by reservation, a sandy beach, lawn areas, seasonal snack bar, and a 500 foot long fishing pier. From HWY 101 take the Central San Rafael exit and go east on 2nd Street (which becomes San Pedro Rd.) to Cantera Way. (Day use fee required).
Muir Beach & Muir Beach Overlook
415-388-2595
www.parksconservancy.org
MUIR BEACH CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION LATE JUNE-NOVEMBER 2013
The landscape transformation at Muir Beach continues this summer. This year, the existing parking lot will be re-aligned to allow the Redwood Creek channel to be connected to its natural floodplain. Muir Beach will be closed to all except through-trail users coming from Tennessee Valley and other distant trailheads. The parking lot and all services will be closed during construction. Come back in late fall to enjoy the extended pedestrian bridge, the restored creek and wetlands, and the beach.
Under normal circumstances, Muir Beach is a sheltered cove that has a sandy beach with lots of privacy. It’s strikingly beautiful with a creek and nearby dense woods providing opportunities to view wildlife, such as monarch butterflies in the pine trees, salmon in Redwood Creek, and frogs in the marsh, as well as foxes, birds, deer, and coyote on the hills! Horses and dogs are allowed on the beach and some trails.
Muir Beach Overlook used to be a U.S. Army coastal observation post and has spectacular coastal views. Picnic area provided and watch migrating whales in the winter.
Point Reyes National Seashore
415-464-5100
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm
Point Reyes National Seashore was established to preserve and protect wilderness, natural eco-systems, and cultural resources along the diminishing undeveloped coastline of the western United States. Located just an hour's drive from a densely populated metropolitan area, the Seashore is a sanctuary for myriad plant and animal species and for the human spirit — for discovery, inspiration, solitude, and recreation — and exists as a reminder of the human connection to the land.
Point Reyes is located approximately 30 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1 along the west coast of California. Travelers may approach the park from the winding scenic Highway 1, either northbound or southbound. You can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or the Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.
Operating Hours & Seasons:
The park is open daily from sunrise to midnight throughout the year. Overnight camping is available by permit only. Visitor Center hours are as follows:
Bear Valley Visitor Center
0.5 miles from Olema along Bear Valley Road
Olema, CA 94950
415-464-5100
The Bear Valley Visitor Center is open on:
Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lighthouse Visitor Center
The Lighthouse Visitor Center is open: Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Lighthouse stairs, the exhibits in the lower Lighthouse chamber, and the Equipment Building are open (weather permitting): Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Lens Room is open (as weather & staffing permit): Thursday through Monday, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All Lighthouse facilities are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
All Visitor Centers are closed December 25. Visitor Centers may close at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Call 415-464-5100 for hours of operation on these holidays.
Overview of Beaches in Point Reyes National Seashore:
Abbotts Lagoon Beach: This is a great place for bird watching. The sand dunes backing the beach are home to the endangered snowy plover.
Drakes Beach: This is the nicest beach at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The tall cliffs provide shelter from the usual northwest summer winds. There is a visitor center, cafe and memorial to Drake here. The annual sand sculpture contest is held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.Kehoe Beach: A half-mile walk alongside a marsh and over a sand dune takes you to Kehoe Beach. Once at the beach, turn left to explore the stream meandering to the Pacific Ocean. To the right, giant dunes make explorations fun.
Kelham Beach: A 4.8-mile trek from the Bear Valley trailhead brings only hardy hikers to this quiet, secluded beach north of Arch Rock. The trail leading from the Coast Trail down to Kelham Beach has recently been repaired and is now open (as of September 4, 2009). The beach access trail was washed out a number of years ago during a winter storm.
Limantour Beach: You can take long walks on Limantour Beach, over a mile in each direction; you can also wade, watch the birds, beach comb, or picnic. The nearby Estero de Limantour is a favorite for bird watchers for its variety and number of birds.
Pt. Reyes Great Beach (North and South Beaches): North and South Beach make up an incredible expanse of over 10 miles of undeveloped ocean beach to roam - also known as "Point Reyes Beach." If you are looking for the drama of heavy surf this is the place to be. Dogs are allowed on a 6' leash on this beach. Dogs are not permitted north of the North Beach entrance as this area is protected habitat for the endangered snowy plover. Please be very cautious near the water as "sneaker waves" have been known to drag unwitting victims out to sea.
Sculptured Beach: Tide pools, rock formations, a blowhole where the sea really does "blow through," birds, passing whales and dolphins (bring binoculars), incredible sunsets, and great sand are just some of the things you'll see here.
Wildcat Beach: Wildcat Beach is south of Limantour Beach, near Alamere Falls. It is a 5.5-mile hike from the Palomarin trailhead in the southern part of Point Reyes. It is one of the most beautiful, remote white sand beaches in California and a popular place for horseback riding.
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
1 Bear Valley Road, Building 70
Point Reyes, CA 94956
415-663-1200
www.ptreyes.org
We are the primary nonprofit park partner of the National Park Service at Point Reyes. With community support we are helping to fund and implement resource preservation projects within the park, while also providing people a way to explore, discover and connect with the natural world through our environmental education programs. Find out how our exciting programs can enhance your Point Reyes experience and how you can help us build a legacy of stewardship for years to come.
Deepen your connection to nature, strengthen your understanding of the environment and have fun with your peers. Point Reyes Field Institute provides classes that are led by experts in their field to take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world; we have something for everyone.
The Field Institute's Monthly Class Schedule
Stinson Beach
Information & Weather: 415-868-1922
http://www.nps.gov/goga/stbe.htm
Visitors to Stinson Beach experience the pleasures of this quiet beach community. Whether hiking, enjoying a picnic, exploring the town, or relaxing on the beach, people continue to find Stinson Beach a great place to escape from the frantic pace of everyday life, just as it has been for over a century.
Stinson Beach is open year round every day. The entrance gates open at 9:00 a.m. Closing times vary depending on season. Check the posted sign when you enter the parking lot.
Tomales Bay State Park
State Route Highway 1
Inverness, CA 94937
415-669-1140
www.parks.ca.gov
The 2,000-acre day-use park features four gently sloping, surf-free beaches, protected from winds by Inverness Ridge, the backbone of the Point Reyes Peninsula. The park has hiking trails and is a popular place for picnics, swimming, clamming and boating.
Tomales Bay State Park is now open 7 days a week. Beginning July 1, 2012 our generous partners at the National Park Service will be managing Tomales Bay State Park for a one year period. Visitors are not likely to notice any changes and should still expect to pay the regular day use fee to California State Parks.
Hours: 8 A.M. to Sunset
Biking
Marin County has a network of bicycle paths that enable bikers to travel from one part of the county to the other on paved roadways. Each city has its own network of bicycle paths.
Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC)
733 Center Boulevard
Fairfax, CA 94930
415-456-3469
www.marinbike.org
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) is an advocacy organization whose mission is to promote safe bicycling for every day transportation and recreation. The MCBC has been steadily improving our county’s road and path facilities for walkers and bikers since they formed in 1998. You’ve seen the impact of our advocacy efforts in each of our towns: permanent bike racks, bike lane striping, green-and-white bike route signs, road resurfacing, ‘sharrow’ road stencils, and so much more. Not only does MCBC’s work improve our quality of life, such as increasing opportunities for daily physical activity, teaching children to be skilled and safe bike riders, reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and providing transportation equity for our low-income neighbors.
There are two ways to get involved: 1) Buy MCBC's popular Marin Bicycle Map to find the best trail and road rides in the county and 2) Join MCBC - so we can continue to do the work, so you can take the ride!
Blue Waters Kayaking
12944 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Inverness, CA 94933
415-669-2600
www.bwkayak.com
Bike Point Reyes on an EZip EcoRide electric comfort bike, which is designed with a 250-watt DC earth magnet motor and a 24-volt Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. It operates much cleaner than gas powered scooters yet faster than a regular bicycle. Please call or go online to learn more details.
Mountain Biking
Marin County's Mount Tamalpais (Mt. Tam) is the birthplace of mountain biking. In the early 1970s Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher, Otis Guy and Charlie Kelly began refurbishing old balloon tire bicycles from the 1930s and 40s to use for riding off-road. Between 1977 and 1978 Joe built 10 frames which were the first successful frames designed and built for use as mountain bikes; he called them "Breezers." Mountain biking has become a huge sport, and Marin County is ringed with mountain bicycle trails. Those who enjoy the sport can travel through natural wild lands including the Mt. Tam woodlands, coastal bluffs at Pt. Reyes National Seashore, single track trails overlooking San Pablo Bay at China Camp State Park, and ridgeline trails on Mt. Burdell in Novato. Bikers can even tour historic Angel Island on trails that circle the island. The abundant variety of trees, wildflowers, grasslands, ridgelines, and rugged coastline make Marin's mountain bike trails a sought-after experience.
Point Reyes Outdoors
11401 State Route 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
415-663-8192
www.PointReyesOutdoors.com
Point Reyes Outdoors offers mountain bike rentals for usage in the Point Reyes National Seashore and surrounding areas. Pick up a bike and set off from downtown Point Reyes Station, or rent a rack and drive to a trailhead. Bike the bishop pine forests, meadows and out to Arch Rock; Explore along Limantour Beach; check out the stunning views of the Olema Valley and Tomales Bay; or check out the sandstone cliffs near Drakes Estero and out to epic views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Four examples of mountain biking trail rides follow:
China Camp State Park - Shoreline Trails and Bay Views
This is a great single track ride that winds through China Camp State Park. There are magnificent views of San Pablo Bay as cyclists ride through the oak-studded hills bordering the bay. The park has a multi-use policy that makes it popular for cyclists, but there are occasional encounters with hikers using the same trail. Trail is 10.3 miles; elevation change — 700 ft.; riding time — 1 - 1 ½ hours; easy to moderate difficulty.
Samuel P. Taylor Park - Ridge Trail to Mt. Barnabe
The 7 .4 mile trail takes you from Samuel P. Taylor Park up a steep climb to the top of Mt. Barnabe. From the Barnabe Peak Ridge trail cyclists get spectacular views of wilderness and a view of Mt. Diablo to the east, Mt. St. Helena to the north and Tomales Bay to the west. This spectacular trail takes you from a thick redwood forest to open grassland hills. The elevation change is 1400 ft. Riding time is 1 ½ to 2 hours. The ride is moderately difficult.
Mt. Tamalpais - Eldridge Grade to East Peak
A moderate to strenuous ride, this trail takes you up the rugged Eldridge Grade to the top of Mt. Tamalpais. The long climb has some technical climbing over rocky terrain, but the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay and the wilderness vistas are incredible. The ride back down the mountain is steep and rapid. This challenging ride covers 17.7 miles with a riding time of 2 ½ to 3 hours. Elevation change is 2,800 ft.
San Geronimo Ridge - Pine Mountain Loop
Starting on Bolinas Road in Fairfax, the Pine Mountain Loop is Marin County’s most remote ride. It incorporates some narrow sections of trail as you cycle up rocky, steep fire roads. At the ridge top you can view Bolinas Ridge, Kent Lake, Tomales Bay and Mt. Tamalpais to the south. The trail takes you through the Kent Lake watershed and along Kent Lake across streams and through riparian habitat. Distance: 13.4 miles; riding time 2 to 2 ½ hours. The elevation change of this strenuous trail is 1,900 ft.
Bird Watching & Butterflies
Marin County offers some of the best bird watching on the Pacific Coast. The Point Reyes National Seashore offers some of the finest bird watching in the United States. The Park’s 70,000 acres of habitat are host to almost 490 avian species, both in the park and on adjacent waters. The park’s coastal location and unspoiled habitats attract many migrating and wintering birds. The Point Reyes area consistently reports one of the highest tallies in the county every year during the Christmas bird count.
Some of the best places to view birds in the park are: Five Brooks Pond, Estero Trail, Muddy Hollow Trail, Abbotts Lagoon, the Lighthouse rocks and cliff areas and Bear Valley. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/pore.
Researchers at the Pt. Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) catch and band birds daily from April 1 to November 30. The most likely times to find birds are during the breeding season in June and July. Visitors are welcome to visit all four of PRBO’s centers in Marin. For directions, please visit www.prbo.org.
Key bird watching areas include:
Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands
Just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge lays the Marin Headlands, location of one of the best places to view hawks. During the fall migration, September and October, 2,000 hawks a day pass over this area. They gather here to catch the thermal wind currents necessary to cross the waters of the Golden Gate. To reach the Headlands take Highway 101 to the end of the Golden Gate Bridge, then take the Alexander Avenue exit and follow signs for the Marin Headlands and Conzelman Rd. Continue on the road up to its high point, Battery 129. From there, walk up to the hilltop for the best viewing.
Las Gallinas Ponds in San Rafael
The Las Gallinas Sanitary district has created freshwater and saltwater ponds that, along with the nearby tidal marshes, have produced an exception bird habitat. Observers have sited more than 180 species of birds, including the endangered clapper rail. From Highway 101 in San Rafael take Smith Ranch Road east to McInnis Park. Turn left on Smith Ranch Road and travel to the end.
Other areas for bird viewing include: Angel Island State Park, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, China Camp State Park, Corte Madera Ecological Reserve, Mt. Tamalpais State Park and Watershed, Muir Woods National Monument, Olompali State Historic Park, Samuel P. Taylor State Park and Tomales State Park.
Butterflies
Photo Credit: www.marinopenspace.org
Marin County observers have identified 76 species of butterflies in various areas throughout the county. The Pipevine Swallowtail inhabits Cascade Canyon; the Acmon Blue is found on Mt. Burdell and at Old St. Hilary’s; and the Western Pygmy-blue can be seen at Bolinas Lagoon. Spotters have found the Anise Swallowtail and the Western Tiger Swallowtail on San Pedro Ridge.
The Marin County Open Space District’s Website identifies all 76 species. It also lists the county’s 33 open space preserves and the species of birds, butterflies, mammals and reptiles found in each preserve. Please visit www.marinopenspace.org and click on Open Space, Field Guides and then Butterflies.
Every fall Monarch Butterflies west of the Rocky Mountains move to coastal California. Marin County has its share of Monarch Butterfly overwintering sites. To reach the Muir Beach site take Highway 101 to Highway 1. From Highway 1 turn at the Pacific Way (at the Pelican Inn). Continue past the Inn and look for steps leading up into the pine grove on the hill. It is safest to park at Muir Beach and walk to the site. Butterflies are best seen near the top of the stairs. This spot is known as Terwilliger Grove. At Stinson Beach the Monarchs can be seen in the eucalyptus trees around the bank of Highway 1 at the north end of town. In Bolinas they can be found in trees at Park Drive and Terrace Avenue.
Camping
Camping in Marin County can be a novel, exciting experience. You may roll out your sleeping bag on a mountain, in a redwood forest, beside the ocean or even on an island. All Marin County campsites are located in scenic areas that are perfect for hiking and wildlife observation. State Park campsites can be reserved from two days or up to seven months in advance. Dogs are generally allowed on leashes. To preview the California State Parks, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex. Reservations can be made by calling Reserve America at 1-800-444-PARK or online at www.reserveamerica.com.
Angel Island State Park
Tiburon, CA 94920
415-435-1915
www.angelisland.org
Angel Island sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay, just off the coast of southern Marin County with spectacular views of Marin County, San Francisco, the Golden Gate and the East Bay. Visitors travel to the island by ferry from Tiburon. During the winter months ferry service is limited; for schedule information, please visit: www.angelislandferry.com. Vehicles, dogs, skates and skateboards are prohibited. Bicycles are useful for touring the island. There are nine tent campsites on the island — the Eastbay Sites, Ridge Sites and Sunrise Sites.
China Camp State Park
101 Peacock Gap Trail
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-456-0766
www.parks.ca.gov
China Camp State Park has 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. A Chinese shrimp-fishing village thrived on this site in the 1880s. A small museum describes the history of the early Chinese settlement. China Camp is located just four miles east of San Rafael. The park offers 15 miles of hiking trails. Visitors enjoy watching the wildlife, hiking, swimming, boating and windsurfing. The park has 30 developed walk-in campsites. For reservations call Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275.
*Due to current budgetary cutbacks in all of California's State Parks, service reductions have been in place. Effective July 1, 2012 China Camp State Park has been saved from closure by a local group called Friends of China Camp.
General Park Hours: 8:00am to Sunset; Gate at Back Ranch Meadows Campground: Open 8:00am to 9:00pm. Gate is closed at 9:00pm
Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Fort Berry, Building 948
Sausalito, CA 94945
www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) offers two hide-in and two walk-in campgrounds in the Marin Headlands, located at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Reservations are required for the campsites. The maximum stay is three nights per season. There are no accommodations for recreational vehicles. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-2070
www.parks.ca.gov
Magnificent Mt. Tamalpais has 6,300 acres of redwood groves and oak woodlands with spectacular views from its 2,500 foot peak. It is a hikers and bikers paradise. The camping areas include 16 developed walk-in campsites, one horse group camp, 10 rustic cabins perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, and 8 primitive environmental sites. For reservations call Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275.
Mt. Tam has been saved by Muir Woods National Monument and will remain open: Hours of Operation: Daily: 7:00am to Sunset year round.
Novato RV Park
1530 Armstrong Avenue
Novato, CA 94945
415-897-1271
www.novatorvpark.com
Bay Area Green Business
Novato RV Park is conveniently located in the center of all the excitement and beauty the bay has to offer. Your full hook-up site is just minutes away from the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the Wine Country. Explore the best of “The City” from a quiet country setting. Our park rests at the foot of oak studded hills, and enjoys easy access to miles of walking trails.
Our facilities are specially designed for modern RVs, with big rig and pull-thru sites. Other amenities include full utilities (30 & 50 amp power, Cable TV), gravel sites with concrete patios, paved roads with easy freeway access, as well as a store and deli, laundry room, swimming pool, showers and restrooms, WI-FI, and a recreational room. Please call for a reservation!
Point Reyes National Seashore
Bear Valley Visitor Center
0.5 miles from Olema along Bear Valley Road
Olema, CA
415-663-8054
www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Campers may use campsites in the Point Reyes National Seashore year-round, but because of its proximity to San Francisco, the campsites are in great demand. Campsites are located along the Pacific Coast and in the Phillip Burton Wilderness area. These are back-country sites and are accessible only by hiking, biking or horseback. There is no car camping available in the park. Camping is limited to four nights per visit, with a maximum of 30 nights per year. Camping is by permit only, and permits must be obtained from the Bear Valley Visitor Center before proceeding to the campsite. Campsites may be reserved up to three months in advance by calling (415) 663-8054 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For specific information about the campsites go to www.nps.gov/pore/activ_camp.htm.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Lagunitas, CA 94938
415-488-9897
Samuel P. Taylor State Park covers more than 2,700 acres of wooded countryside with rolling hills of coastal redwoods and open grasslands. The park features hiking trails, mountain biking and equestrian trails. A paved bicycle trail runs through the park. Black tailed deer are often seen, and salmon and steelhead trout migrate up Papermill Creek to spawn. This large park, located just 15 minutes west of San Rafael on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. has a large campground area with 60 developed campsites, 16 tent-only campsites, 6 ADA developed sites, 2 group tent sites and an equestrian group site. For reservations contact Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park has been saved by Muir Woods National Monument. Hours of Operation: Open 8:00 AM til sunset everyday through Labor Day.
Fishing
Visitors who like to fish can find many locations in Marin County for fresh and salt water fishing. Some of the popular places include the following:
China Camp State Park – located on San Pablo Bay, has a number of points on the shore suitable for fishing.
McNear’s Beach Pier - located in east San Rafael on San Pablo Bay, is a good spot for halibut, striped bass and sturgeon. Varieties of perch and shark are also present. Entry fee is $8 per vehicle.
Fishing is permitted in all seven of the Marin Municipal watershed lakes. Licenses are required. Please call 415-945-1194 for current fishing conditions or visit www.marinwater.org.
Golfing
Marin County is home to several public and private golf courses. These courses take advantage of Marin’s beautiful, varied terrain and are located in a variety of settings, from the foot of Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, to the wetlands near the Bay Shore in Novato.
San Geronimo Golf Course
5800 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
San Geronimo, CA 94963
415-488-4030
www.golfsangeronimo.com
Located in the heart of beautiful San Geronimo Valley, only 45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge and ringed by forested coastal hills and roaming over 150 acres of stunning terrain, San Geronimo offers a true test of your golf skills and a relaxing day in the country. Let San Geronimo’s professional staff help you with charity fundraising events, weddings, holiday parties, or any meeting needs that you may have. Come and enjoy the challenge and beauty of San Geronimo!
StoneTree Golf Club
9 StoneTree Lane
Novato, CA 94945
415-209-6090
www.stonetreegolf.com
StoneTree Golf Club, Northern California's premier daily fee facility located in Novato, California features impeccable course conditions, incomparable levels of professional service and exquisite cuisine. Designed by golf legend Johnny Miller, this 6,810 yard 18-hole championship course plays through oak-forested hills and valleys and across lush meadowlands splashed with lakes and natural wetlands. Just 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, StoneTree's edge-of-the-North Bay location makes it easily accessible from anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. Showcasing a bounty of natural beauty with magnificent views, StoneTree offers virtually unlimited challenges and rewards from tee to green- from your first drive to your final putt.
Hiking
The outstanding beauty of Marin County’s landscape makes it a prime environment for outdoor recreation. Hiking is one of the best ways to explore Marin’s vistas and wildlife.
Angel Island State Park
Tiburon, CA 94920
415-435-1915
www.angelisland.org
In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island, offering spectacular views of the Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais, and the San Francisco skyline. Over 13 miles of foot trails and fire roads circle the island. The Northridge/Sunset loop trail leads to the 788-foot high summit of Mt. Livermore providing spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay. The paved Perimeter Road provides access the island’s several beaches and historical sites such as Immigration Station and Fort McDowell.
Blue Waters Kayaking
12944 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Inverness, CA 94933
415-669-2600
www.bwkayak.com
Blue Waters Kayaking is your outdoor activity resource for the West Marin area. We offer kayaking tours, hiking tours, as wells as specialized camping, birding and oyster tours. We offer a variety of hiking tours including the Giacomini Wetlands and Drake's Estero Trail. Please visit our website for planned hiking events and costs. We can custom design tours, retreats, and parties and outings for friends, families, business groups, schools, clubs and non-profit organizations.
China Camp State Park
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-456-0766
www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex
Walk through the house museum describing early Chinese settlement of the village. The park offers fifteen miles of hiking trails. The trails are heavily used during spring and summer weekends. Be prepared for crowds.
*Due to current budgetary cutbacks in all of California's State Parks, service reductions have been in place. Effective July 1, 2012 China Camp State Park has been saved from closure by a local group called Friends of China Camp.
General Park Hours: 8:00am to Sunset; Gate at Back Ranch Meadows Campground: Open 8:00am to 9:00pm. Gate is closed at 9:00pm
Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Fort Barry, Building 948
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-331-1540
www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm
For the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, make sure to visit the trails located at the Golden Gate Bridge Headquarters and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).
Mount Tamalpais State Park
801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-2070
www.parks.ca.gov
With an elevation of 2571 feet, Mt. Tam has 200 miles of hiking trails with views of the entire county, San Francisco and the East Bay. Best visited in the spring when flowers are in bloom.
Mt. Tam has been saved by Muir Woods National Monument. Hours of Operation: Daily: 7:00am to Sunset year round.
Point Bonita Lighthouse
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Fort Barry, Building 948
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-331-1540
www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm
Point Bonita is part of the largest urban national park in the United States, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). 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 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 & Mondays 12:30pm
to 3:30pm.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Bear Valley Visitor Center
0.5 miles from Olema along Bear Valley Road
Olema, CA
415-464-5100
www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
The National Seashore has about 240 kilometers (150 miles) of hiking trails to explore. Trail maps are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There are many ways to customize your hike to accommodate your physical and time limitations. Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center for current trail information and suggested hikes. Open year round, hours of operation are: Weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Weekends and Holidays from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Closed December 25.
Point Reyes Outdoors
11401 State Route 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
415-663-8192
www.PointReyesOutdoors.com
Point Reyes Outdoors offers naturalist led hiking tours in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Explore the beauty of the area and see some of the local wildlife events. Our hikes include a Wildflower and Gray Whale Hike, Tide Pool Exploration, Coast Walks, Leopard Shark and Bat Ray Observation, Marine Mammals Hike (to see harbor seal pups or elephant seal pups), and premier location Birding hikes. These hikes are perfect escapes into the wild to view the local animals and see breathtaking panoramic views. The perfect outing for all ages and families.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Lagunitas, CA 94938
415-488-9897
www.parks.ca.gov
This popular park has over 2,700 acres of wooded countryside in the steep rolling hills of West Marin. The park features a unique contrast of coast redwoods groves and open grassland. Miles of hiking trails and fire roads make it easy to hike to the top of Mount Barnabe. Or, for a less strenuous visit, many visitors consider Devil’s Gulch the best place in the park for a picnic or a place to relax.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park has been saved by Muir Woods National Monument. Hours of Operation: Open 8:00 AM til sunset everyday through Labor Day.
Tomales Bay State Park
State Route Highway 1
Inverness, CA 94937
415-669-1140
www.tomalesbay.net
This area, celebrated for its natural beauty, is one of constant movement: the land, the animal migrations and the seasonal wildflowers that push up through the earth. For great views, March flowers, beaches and bird-watching, it is a must see!
Tomales Bay State Park is now open 7 days a week. Beginning July 1, 2012 our generous partners at the National Park Service will be managing Tomales Bay State Park for a one year period. Visitors are not likely to notice any changes and should still expect to pay the regular day use fee to California State Parks
Hours of Operation: 8 A.M. to Sunset
Marin County has miles of open space horse trails, including horse campsites at Mount Tamalpais State Park and Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Equestrian Centers are in Fairfax and Woodacre, but the most popular is Five Brooks Ranch, offering a variety of horseback riding services.
Five Brooks Ranch
8001 State Route Highway 1
Olema, CA 94950
415-663-1570
www.fivebrooks.com
Five Brooks Ranch offers an array of services for anyone who wants to enjoy the park in the company of horses. We offer private and guided trail rides, riding lessons and horse boarding. Bring your own horse or use ours. We can help you have the time of your life riding the trails of Point Reyes!
Kayaking / Water Sports
Marin and San Francisco bays and beaches provide hundreds of possibilities to kayak, paddleboard, surf, kiteboard and much more. Kayakers enjoy easy access to San Pablo Bay and can be found enjoying the coastal waters surrounding China Camp State Park. Corte Madera Creek, with its views of Mt. Tamalpais, is a draw for both kayakers and rowers.
101 Surf Sports
115 Third Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-524-8492
www.101surfsports.com
The water is right behind our shop so come on down!
101 Surf Sports is a full service Water Sports Shop specializing in Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, Surfing, and Kayaking on Marin County waters as well as the San Francisco Bay. We also offer a full range of lessons, gear rentals, board repair, kayak storage, guided tours, a retail shop, and much more!
Our location has all the SUP, windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and kayaking gear. In fact you can to ride your SUP or Kayak right off our dock or pack up the gear and explore. We even loan you what you need to take the board/boat with you on your car. 101 Surf Sports is your ticket to a safe, fun, day exploring Marin County and San Francisco Bay by water.
Detailed information and rentals vary for each sport, so click on the below links to find out what is best suited for you:
Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) Windsurfing Kiteboarding Surfing Kayaking
Summer/Spring Hours: Saturday - Sunday: 9:00am - 6:00pm; Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Blue Waters Kayaking
12944 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Inverness, CA 94933
415-669-2600
www.bwkayak.com
Blue Waters Kayaking is your outdoor activity resource for the West Marin area. We offer kayaking tours, hiking tours, as wells as specialized camping, birding and oyster tours. We also have shore side facilities at Marshall Boatworks, 19225 Shoreline Highway in Marshall, CA on weekends and during the week by appointment.
Visit us at home in the Point Reyes National Seashore on beautiful Tomales Bay. We have a wide assortment of single and double, closed and open deck sea kayaks. We specialize in guided half or full-day paddles and overnight camping trips. We can custom design tours, retreats, and parties and outings for friends, families, business groups, schools, clubs and non-profit organizations. Call us today to make a reservation.
Point Reyes Outdoors
11401 State Route 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
415-663-8192
www.PointReyesOutdoors.com
Point Reyes Outdoors offers sea kayaking tours, classes, and overnight kayaking trips in the Point Reyes National Seashore. We also offer customized team building (on land and water) and environmental education kayaking & hiking trips for groups. Join us for a naturalist-led sea kayaking trip or camping outing exploring the west coast’s local waterways and experience this area's rich variety of wildlife and outstanding beauty. We offer daytime, sunset, and bioluminescence sea kayaking tours on Drakes Estero and Tomales Bay where it is common to encounter harbor seals, leopard sharks, bat rays and a variety of waterfowl.
Dance Palace
503 B Street
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
415-663-1075
www.dancepalace.org
Bay Area Green Business
The Dance Palace is a non-profit community center providing a wide variety of educational, recreational, cultural and community services to children, adults and seniors in western Marin County. The Dance Palace serves as the central community facility for the small, semi-rural coastal villages of West Marin including Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Olema, Nicasio, Marshall, Bolinas and Stinson Beach.
The Dance Palace works to respond directly to expressed community needs and to reach out to all segments of West Marin, encouraging involvement and communication at all levels. A fundamentally multi-purpose organization, the Dance Palace operates as a school, meeting space, theater and gallery. The Dance Palace serves as a unique model of a community center providing a highly multi-faceted program on a small budget through the ongoing participation of committed volunteers.
Albert J. Boro Community Center & Library
(Formerly Pickleweed Park Community Center)
50 Canal Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-485-3077
Formerly known as Pickleweed Park Community Center and Library, the 24,000 square foot facility that includes space for community meetings, events, after-school programs, literacy, technology, education, library, social and recreation activities and programs. The building has a 6,000 volume library, a computer lab, homework center, general classrooms, including an art room and teen lounge, a community room that accommodates 300 and a gymnasium.
For more information, please contact Steve Mason, Community Center Supervisor at 415-485-3077.
Speedway Motorsports Sonoma
29355 Arnold Dr.
Sonoma, California 95476
800-870-7223
www.racesonoma.com
The fender-banging action of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series headlines the 2012 Big O Tires Racing Season at Speedway Motorsports Sonoma. The seven-race major event schedule, featuring everything from stock cars to motorcycles, will be highlighted by three of the top racing series in the country - the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and IZOD IndyCar® Series – as well as the North American debut of the FIA World Touring Car Championship and motorcycle racing with AMA Pro Road Racing.
Located just six miles east of Novato, the 1,600-acre facility is a year-round motorsports complex with events scheduled 340 days and 50 weekends a year combined on its road course, drag strip and kart center. The facility is also home to the Simraceway Performance Driving Center, as well as 75 businesses in its motorsports industrial park. The Speedway also features a comprehensive sustainability program since 2004, including an installation of nearly 1,700 solar panels in 2010.
For more information, visit RaceSonoma.com or call 800-870-RACE (7223).
Marin Bocce Federation
550 B Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-485-5583
www.marinbocce.org
Bay Area Green Business
Located next to the San Rafael Community Center, the Marin Bocce Federation manages and operates a beautiful, family oriented, 10-court bocce facility open to the public seven days a week. Click here to view our video.
Hours of Operation: March - October 2012: SUN: 9AM - 4PM, MON: After 1PM *,TUE: 9 AM - 4PM, WED: After 1PM *, THU: After 1 PM *, FRI: 9AM - 4PM, SAT: 9AM - 4PM. Please note that reservations are required with an * mark. Hours subject to change due to weather.
The facility is perfect for corporate outings, fundraisers, family parties and small group events. The rose garden is a popular venue for special events such as weddings.
Whale Watching & Seal Observation
Between December and May approximately 15,000 California gray whales travel 10,000 miles along the Pacific Coast from cold Arctic feeding grounds to warm, shallow breeding waters off Baja, California. During December and January the pregnant whales are traveling south, carrying their babies who will be born in the warmer waters off Mexico. From February through May the northward migration is lead by pregnant females while the mothers and babies trail behind, closer to the coast to avoid predators.
During the migration, whales can often be seen from the Pt. Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands or from various sites on the Pt. Reyes peninsula. The headlands of the Pt. Reyes peninsula offer one of the finest spots to view the gray whale. The areas around Chimney Rock and the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse offer some of the best whale watching spots in the park. The best chance of seeing whales from the Pt. Reyes coast is in mid-January, the peak of the southern migration. Observers should look for 10-15 foot spouts. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/pore/
Elephant Seals & Harbor Seals & Sea Lions
Northern elephant seals, harbor seals, and sea lions are found at South Beach during the winter and also can be viewed from Chimney Rock. After being absent for more than 150 years, elephant seals returned to the Point Reyes Headlands in the early 1970s. From December through March a breeding colony of elephant seals can be observed from Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock, above Drakes Bay.
From the overlook visitors can observe the behavior of the animals, including the birthing of pups. During weekends and holidays, trained docents staff the Overlook. They have binoculars, spotting scopes and information to share with visitors.
Each year, thousands of wildflower enthusiasts converge upon the Marin Headlands to experience the park’s spectacular floral display. Long recognized as a Bay Area botanical hotspot, the Marin Headland’s ridges, valleys, meadows, and sand dunes are carpeted with blooms of every hue and color from late winter to late autumn.
Photo Credits: www.marinopenspace.org
Marin County is home to a number of rare wildflowers, many of which are found in the county’s 33 open space preserves, the Golden Gate National Recreation area and the Point Reyes Seashore. Ring Mountain Preserve’s unique geology and microclimate provide a home for a number of rare plants. The Tiburon Mariposa Lily is found on the upper slopes of Ring Mountain and nowhere else on earth. Spring wildflowers on the trailhead from Paradise Drive to the top of the preserve are breath-taking.
As you enjoy the wildflowers, please remember that you may be in a national park, and natural and cultural resources are protected by law. Do not pick the wildflowers!
The 117-acre Old St. Hilary’s Preserve in Tiburon is the only place to see the extremely rare Tiburon Jewelflower. This odd member of the mustard family, usually seen in mid-May, has dark maroon petals that appear almost black. Other rare plants like the Dirca Occidentalis grow naturally only in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Marin County has five or six known small populations of this wildflower that are associated with basaltic greenstone rocks in a mixed evergreen forest. White Wakerobin can be found in the northern part of the Pt. Reyes Peninsula.
Patches of serpentine soil in the Loma Alta Preserve provide one of the best late-season wildflower displays in the county. Douglas Iris can be spotted in the Bald Hill Preserve, and the Bush Monkeyflower and Dwarf Checkermallow inhabit the Camino Alto Preserve.
The below resources give information on the many species of wildflowers that grow in Marin County and where they can be found: The Marin County Open Space District’s website lists all of the open space preserves in the county and describes the plants and animals that can be found there. Please visit www.marinopenspace.org for more information.
The Marin Branch of the California Native Plant Society provides information on Marin County’s rare plants and field trips. Please visit www.marin.edu/cnps for more information.
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