By Megan Eileen McDonough

 

Amping up for a fit and fabulous 2023? While sticking to a new workout routine can be tough, a trip to Marin County will make fitness fun again (or maybe for the first time ever). Not only are there countless hiking trails, but you can pair your love for the ocean with a challenging water sport like standup paddleboarding or surfing. Best of all, the majority of Marin County’s restaurants source organic ingredients from local farmers for a menu filled with entrees packed with protein and flavor.

 

1. Find your balance with a Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lesson.

If starting a fitness or meditation regimen is among your New Year's resolutions, SUP (StandUp Paddle Board) is the answer to both. 101 Surf Sports also provides custom private lessons for all levels. It's a little easier than it looks but you'll still have to work on your balance to achieve the sport. SUP has many health benefits, including improved flexibility and a solid core workout, so you'll leave a lesson feeling accomplished. Plus, the waters off San Rafael Creek are mild. Visit their website to plan your next adventure on the water.

Pro tip: Next try a Surfski lesson. It's the fastest paddleboard on the water.

2. Get your hands dirty (for fresh oysters!).

If you’re already a savvy cook, you’ll know that preparing your own food can be pretty therapeutic. Take your pick of Food and Farm Tours’ offerings, including the weekly Oyster Lover's Tour, held each Friday. Participants start the day off with a tour of and shucking lesson from the Tomales Bay Oyster Company and then visit the Marshall Store, where one can sample BBQ and smoked oysters. Then it's off to Hog Island Oyster Company for a special pairing of bivalves with a local cheese platter.

Pro tip: Allergic to seafood? Try West Marin Food and Farm Tours’ Flavors of West Marin Tour instead.

 

3. Practice gratitude in a serene space.

Marin has no shortage of serene spaces, and the Marin Art & Garden Center (MAGC) tops the list. The center, which spans 11 acres in Ross Valley, is free to the public and open from dawn to dusk. With a mission to inspire and educate the local community, it's easy to feel right at home at the MAGC, even if it's your first visit. The center’s Memory Garden is described as "a place of quiet beauty and remembering," while the Herb and Native Medicinal Garden will teach you a thing or two about natural health remedies.

Pro tip: Spring by the Plant Nursery to see the garden’s latest additions.

 

4. Learn the art of farm-to-feast fare.

Eating healthy is a common New Year’s resolution, but many people end up returning to bad habits. Not this year! A meal at Farmshop, a restaurant that honors local farmers and artisans through food, will help you understand the basics of eating right. It specializes in farm-to-feast fare, which means the menu is constantly changing to feature in-season ingredients. If you’re eager to improve your cooking skills, Farmshop's inventive recipes and artful presentations will inspire you to get more creative in your own kitchen.

Pro tip: Can't splurge on a decadent dinner? Stop by for a wine and cheese pairing.

 

5. Climb to new heights.

When in Marin County, you must take a hike! There are plenty of trails to choose from, including a guided hike along the beautiful unspoiled coast along the city's edge with Coastal Walkers. Meandering along coastal footpaths and trails, you are rewarded with views so naturally stunning you will forget that a major city is directly behind you. Dip your feet in the Pacific (brrr!) and enjoy the fresh salt-air, brisk ocean breezes and panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Marin Headlands.

Pro tip: Bring your own lunch, as you will be picnicking mid-hike.

 

6. Find yourself on the Wild Side 

On a Point Reyes Safari, wildlife photographer Daniel Dietrich will lead you on an unforgettable experience seeing and photographing the amazing wildlife and scenic lands of Point Reyes National Seashore.  Strap on your hiking boots, bring your best camera and be on the lookout for what Point Reyes is best known for. 

The Park holds incredible wildlife viewing opportunities with bobcats, tule elk, coyotes, badgers, raptors, owls, and shorebirds, as well as many marine animals.  Safaris have a maximum of 3 people, and there are half-day and full-day choices.  
 

For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.