Hiking and Biking

• Marin Open space development: www.marinparks.org

Mt.Tamalpais - East Peak - Bolinas Ridge

Biking trail info of marin: http://mikesbikes.com/page.cfm?pageID=126

Bay Area Ridge Trails: http://www.ridgetrail.org/trail/

Hiking & Wine Tasting Tours: http://www.californiawinehikes.com/tourdetail.php?id=67

Bicycle Tours in Point Reyes- http://www.cyclepointreyes.com/tours.html
**Reservations(415) 663-9164Email cycle@horizoncable.com

Great Places to explore via hiking or biking:

• Bolinas Ridge/Olema Valley, Bolinas: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_bo_ridge.htm
  • There are many beautiful loops through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on both well-marked fire roads and little-known singletrack in this region. The Olema Valley is a rolling landscape of grassland and forest that stretches ten miles from Tomales Bay to Bolinas Lagoon.

• Camp Tamarancho, Fairfax: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_tamarancho.htm
  • Owned by the Boy Scouts of America, a 'Friends Pass' is required to ride Tamarancho. At $5 for 1-day or $40 for the year, it's a very worthwhile investment to ride some of Marin's last legal singletrack. This excellent 13-mile all-singletrack loop is one of the more exciting you'll find with terrain ranging from fast hardpack to twisty, rocky, technical sections. Lots of elevation change, beautiful redwoods, and sweeping views of mount Tam will keep you entertained again and again. Difficulty is intermediate-to-advanced.

• China Camp State Park, Near San Rafael: (5 minutes from the Marin Vacation Home)
  • U-Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0MMggaogk8&feature=related
• • http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_china_camp.htm
  • A longtime favorite of many Bay Area riders, this popular park offers everything from easy rolling doubletrack to moderately technical singletrack with 1000ft of climbing to the highest point. The amount of riding here is deceptive- you can really spend all day if you ride every trail. Beautiful views await every turn as the park is completely surrounded on its eastern side by water. This is a great place for beginners to build confidence, but be aware that it is well used on weekends.

• Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes: Located on 100 miles of unspoiled California coastline and only one hour north of San Francisco, Point Reyes is a wonderful place to explore on a mountain bike. Most of the riding is on fire roads, with some select singletrack open to bikes. The scenery is the true draw here, and there is none better in terms of rugged, stunning coast. Terrain is easy-to-moderate.

• Rush Creek, Novato: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_rush_creek.htm
  • A pleasant beginner ride, with lots of dappling shade while riding amongst the oaks and bay laurel. The trail runs northeast, parallel to and between Rush Creek and the lower slopes of Green Ridge east of Highway 101. A diverse waterfowl population uses the wetlands of the Petaluma River to the north of the creek, with excellent vistas of Mt. Burdell to the west and Sonoma Mountain to the north. There is very little elevation change and total distance out and back is approx. 10 miles.

• Mount Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley: http://parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=471
  • It is well known and much-lamented that most of the singletrack trails on Mt. Tamalpais are now illegal for bicycles. However, the birthplace of the modern mountain bike continues to impress with the challenge of rapid elevation change and some of the most beautiful views anywhere in the Bay Area. There are many famous fire roads and a few sections of sweet legal singletrack that wind around Mt. Tam, along with some beautiful rides through the lakes area of the Tamalpais Municipal Water District. Terrain ranges from easy to difficult because of the sometimes rapid elevation change.

• Tennessee Valley, Near Tamalpais Valley: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_tam_valley.htm , http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_tam_valley2.htm
  • Tennessee Valley to Gerbode Valley
  • Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach Loop
    • Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the intermediate-level Tennessee Valley Loops are characterized by wide open ridgeland with sweeping panoramas and offer a variety of trail conditions. Summertime weather can vary, temperatures can drop 20 or more degrees in a matter of minutes when the fog comes in, so be prepared and pack a windbreaker. Expect anywhere from 1600-2500ft of elevation change.

• Tomales Bay State Park, Inverness: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_tomales_bay.htm
  • This Park is beautifully situated on Mt. Vision between Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes National Seashore. While there isn't a huge area to ride, the vistas and viewpoints make the 1300ft climb up Mt. Vision worthwhile. Terrain is easy-to-moderate.

• Angel Island: http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_angel_island.htm
  • Angel Island State Park is located in San Francisco Bay and can be reached by ferries from San Francisco, Vallejo, Oakland and Tiburon. This ride departs from the Angel Island ferry dock, located just North of Sam's Anchor Cafe on Main St. in Tiburon, Marin County. This ferry runs virtually every day, year round (call 415.435.2131 for times). -- Please note that the ferry company does not provide regular weekday service between December and February. For accurate fare and schedule information check out http://www.angelislandferry.com.

• The Lakes, Ross (Mt Tam Watershed): http://www.btcmarin.org/maps/maps_lakes.htm
  • Start at the Ross Common Parking lot, Town of Ross.
  • This ride is a popular loop around three of the lakes of the Mt. Tamalpais watershed. It can be ridden in either direction, and can also serve as a springboard to longer routes around the upper reaches of the Mountain. Abundant wildlife, enchanting vistas, and three delightful and serene lakes will make this a ride that will oft be repeated.

• Bicycle Tours in Point Reyes- http://www.cyclepointreyes.com/tours.html
  • Reservations(415) 663-9164
  • Email cycle@horizoncable.com

Pt Reyes maps: http://www.cyclepointreyes.com/maps.html

• Inverness Ridge
  • This exciting single track is recommended for more experienced riders, and descends from the radio tower at the top of Vision Road to the Bay View Trail and Limantour Road. Steep and narrow, but great views of Drakes Estero.

• Marshall Beach
  • A good family ride; it starts on a paved drive just west of Tomales Bay State Park entrance. It goes uphill at first and then levels out into a wide fireroad. The trail drops down at the end, ending at Marshall Beach on Tomales Bay, a nice place for a picnic and views of the bay.

• Drake's Estero
  • Another ride for the more confident bikers, providing beautiful views of Drakes Estero throughout. Many rough patches provide great fun for the more adventurous. Trail leads from Sir Francis Drake Highway to Sunset Beach or Drakes Head.

• Samuel P. Taylor
  • Separate from Point Reyes National Seashore is Samuel P. Taylor State Park, which has the Cross Marin Trail, starting at Tacoloma at the Platform Bridge Road. The path is paved, cool, and shady and makes great riding for kids and beginners.

• Bolinas Ridge
  • This trail has the best views of Tomales Bay and the surrounding areas. Although there are some tough climbs it is worth the effort for the view and the trip back down. Beginners will enjoy the mostly smooth track but may want to walk some of the steep hill and rutted patches.