Marin Activities

About Marin County:

No other county has as many riches to explore as Marin County.
Located across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, it has more protected land than any other city in the USA. Fought for and preserved by generations of nature advocates, an unprecedented 4 state parks, 2 National Recreation Areas, 1 national monument, and thousands of acres of protected water shed land.

Visit marin and explore large open space areas can be accessed via the National, State and County Parks. The Golden Gate National Recreation area covers not just San Francisco, but Marin County as well. Leave "the city" (San Francisco), cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and reach the natural park, a recreational paradise!

Follow the Golden Gate Bridge, North from San Francisco to beautiful Marin County!

Visit Marin and enjoy Marin Headlands, Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument, Mount Tamalpais State Recreation area, Samual P. Taylor Park, Olompali State Park and China Camp State Park - just to name a few.

Many of Marin County’s quaint towns sit up against Mt Tamalpais (Marin’s famous backdrop Mountain) and some towns sit down on the gorgeous SF Bay. Each offers something unique and different. Waterfront towns like Tiburon & Sausalito offer insane views of the bay and the city. Towns like Mill Valley, Larkspur, Fairfax, San Anselmo & Novato offer old time “main street” atmosphere, loaded with café’s and shops. The central town of San Rafael gives Marin it’s cosmo flair and center of services. There is also West Marin, with towns laying on the other side of Mt. Tamalpais and facing the Pacific Ocean. Such towns like Stinson Beach & Bolinas have fantastic Beach town flair with fantastic stretches of sand and tidal life. No matter which town you visit, each has intense charm and are different from each other in such fun ways- walk the main streets of these towns and feel swept away in time, charm, and culture.

All this open space available to the public, makes the 'world your oyster' here! Did I say “oysters”? Because Tomales Bay has great fresh oysters- straight from the Oyster farms! Yum. Enough about eating, lets talk action activities.

Marin Activities

This is a land blessed with infinite topographical and ecological variation, making for stellar scenery and spectacular outdoor adventure options -- hiking, running, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, wind surfing, big board surfing, paragliding, rock climbing, bouldering, swimming, organized sports activities, or good cardboard sliding!

Ex1: Metro Exploring:

Film festivals, Shopping, antique shopping, Sightseeing, Spas,, Movies, Live Theatre, Helicopter Tour, Art, Architecture, & Culture Museums, (ex: California Academy of Sciences, Bay Area Discovery Museum) , Farmers Markets, Massage (Reiki, Swedish, Cranial Sacral, etc…), Marin Center (events & Performances), Yearly Marin County Fair (complete with Fireworks nightly & viewable from the home!).

(Marin liberal attitudes)

Ex2: Mental / Spiritual Discovery & Activities:

Global Peace, Yoga, Tree hugging, Marin Ceremonies (wedding, get togethers, etc...), Meditation, Poetry, Shakespeare, Spirit discovery, Green organic business living, Livestock for Landscape management, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, liberal attitudes.

(Crazy California "Kite Surfing" under the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay!)

Ex3: Recreational Activities:

Enjoy Mountain Biking (Marin is the birthplace of the Mtn Bike!), Road Biking, Hiking, Jogging, Sailing, Motor Boating, Skateboarding, Golf, Tennis, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Hang Gliding, Horse Back Riding, Car Racing, Motorcycling, Rock Climbing, Mushroom Hunting, stargazing, Wildflower Viewing, Bird Watching, Surfing, Skim boarding, Kite Surfing, Windsurfing, Whale Watching, Helicopter Touring, and exploring Mount Tamalpais, etc… all in Marin- the only thing you can’t do is Snow Ski- but hey, that is just a 3hr drive away in the gorgeous Sierra Nevada, home of the VIII Olympics in 1960 at Squaw Valley, USA .

Check out Marin Department of Parks and Open Space- Make a Reservation for a picnic or Tour!

• Check-out the website for guided Tours, Hikes & Reservations: http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/main/index.cfm

(Trails for birdwatching, hiking are everywhere, even at Marin's fantastic Skateboard park! Wow)

Amazing Vistas/Views throughout Marin County

(views of San Francisco, East Bay, Pacific Coast, Forests, beaches, towns, marina's... whatever you fancy!)

Marin View Sights: Amazing Views of diverse scenery can be found all over Marin County, and they are all incredible. However, there are a few, must see spots, that capture the Bay Area’s bounty of beauty and give the viewer a sense of where they are on the Map in terms of San Francisco and the bay area.

Marin Headlands: Unbelievable views of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay. Post Card perfect!

Pt. Bonita Light House: Nice trek, looks out towards the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate.
Mt Tamalpais State Recreation Area: Besides numerous hiking trails and plenty of camping sites, it is the best place to enjoy some Marin County views.

Bolinas Ridge: Gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, out West toward Stinson Beach. This is a perfect location to watch sunset. In the summer months the fog sits beneath the ridge like ocean water- a sight your eyes and soul will not soon forget!

Top of Mt. Tamalpais, East Peak: Fantastic Panoramic Views of the whole Bay area, including the magnificent Pacific Ocean!

Tiburon and Sausalito: Walk the Main Street of either one of these towns and get ready for the view of a lifetime!

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Marin Beaches:

Enjoy Stinson Beach, Cronkite, Muir Beach and Pt Reyes National Seashore. Marin has a couple great Nude beaches, such as Red Rock Beach, for those that like to be one with the elements.

Marin Towns:

Bayfront towns: Sausalito, Tiburon, Tomalas

Towns up against Marin’s glorious Mt Tamalpais: Mill Valley, Larkspur, Ross, Kentfield, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Nicasio, San Geronimo.

Beachside Towns: Stinson, Bolinas, Pt. Reyes National Seashore.

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Marin’s Local Attractions (non-commercial): Mingle with the locals by enjoying these natural, local attractions.

Old Mill Park: An historic sawmill that has been restored. This is a great park, located next to downtown Mill Valley, and is very picturesque. Wander in the beautiful Redwood Groves and truly feel the magic of Marin!

Cascade Canyon: Incorporates 500 acres of some of the most pristine habitat in the Corte Madera Creek watershed.

Blackie’s Pasture: Definitely one of the best bike/walking paths in the world! The views can’t be beat and there is plenty to do for the family such as kids parks, soccer field, and the beautiful bay to entertain your senses. Feast your eyes from this shoreline pathway with views of San Francisco, its bridges and the bay. Look the other direction and see marin’s famous backdrop, Mt Tamalpais, behind you. This path will take you all the way to Tiburon’s Main Street which is filled with shops and places to eat.

Madrone Canyon: A fantastic park that is perfect for those hot sunny days when you need to get to the shade. Beautiful Redwood trees abound, some even sit in the middle of the street. A great sight for locals and tourists that can’t get all the way to Muir Woods National Monument.

Lake Lagunitas: A very scenic lake that sits at the base of Mt. Tam. Beautiful hiking and biking trails, all very accessible with an grades for all types. This is a great place to do birdwatching, and spotting wildlife.

Marin Civic Center, Tiburon, Sausalito, Headlands, Stinson Beach, and Wine Tasting!