Local Attractions
Mount Tamalpais
The crown jewel of Marin, the “Sleeping Lady” is a 6,200-acre park, part of the State Park system. Over 2,000 feet high, the mountain gives a panoramic view of the East Bay, San Francisco, and the coast. The mountain was named by the Miwok Indian tribe, from “tamal” meaning coast and “pais” meaning mountain. There are many different trails with something for everyone from the experienced hiker to the tenderfoot. To get to the Pantoll Ranger Station and park headquarters take Highway 1 and follow it to Mount Tam. From Pantoll, there are many trailheads such as East Peak, or trails leading into Stinson beach and Muir Woods. To get there, take Panoramic Highway in Mill Valley to Highway 1 and follow the signs.
The Golden Gate Bridge
This famous span offers a breathtaking view of San Francisco, along with Alcatraz and the East Bay as well as the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco to Oakland. On a clear day you can see the Farallones Islands about 30 miles to the west. Built in 1936, walking the span gives you a feeling of just how big the bridge is and on the south end a gift shop can be found with plenty of trinkets that will prove you really did the tourist thing. To get there, take Highway 101 south to the bridge.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Located just above the Golden Gate on the north end are the Marin Headlands and the beginning of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area-a federal park system that stretches and skips from the bridge to the Marin county border. The headlands are a popular place for photographers seeking to capture the essence of the bay as the Golden Gate frames the city. The Headlands also include the Visitor’s Center, an excellent place to get practical and historical information on the Headlands and the GGNRA.
Muir Woods
Located just 12 miles from the bridge, Muir Woods (named for naturalist John Muir) is the last remaining stand of old growth coastal redwoods in the Bay Area. There are six miles of trail paths and four footbridges making it possible to do circular treks. The grove is in a canyon adjacent to Mt. Tamalpais and sunlight is scarce since the trees, which are mostly between 500 and 1,000 years old, form a canopy. Also, since the park is so close to the coast, fog in the morning and evening is a regular occurrence. To get there, take Panoramic Highway to Highway 1 and follow the signs.
Point Bonita Lighthouse
This historic lighthouse in the Marin Headlands is still in operation. Tours of the lighthouse and the adjacent grounds are available during the day and some evenings. The view of the Pacific is breathtaking. A half-mile hike is required and the trail is steep in a couple spots. But the view is well worth the trek. To get there, take Highway 101 south to the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the last available exit and go up the hill to the Headlands. The lighthouse hike begins at the end of Field Road. Call for tour availability 415.331.1540.
Wine Country
Take a day to enjoy California’s most celebrated agricultural crop – wine. You can easily enjoy several wineries in one daytrip to one of Northern California’s famous wine-producing regions. The Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley are all within easy driving distance. With more than 500 wineries choose from, you really can’t go wrong. Local advice: Take it easy with the wine tasting – only two or three wineries are all that’s necessary for a wonderful wine-tasting adventure. Most have lovely gardens and relaxing picnic areas that are free for you to enjoy – so, take your time and savor the wonderful Wine Country atmosphere.
Tiburon-Angel Island
Tiburon (from the Spanish Punta de Tiburon for Shark Point) is part of a peninsula, which ends on the San Francisco Bay at Raccoon Straits. Start the day with a stop at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to an array of birds and waterfowl. There is a half-mile trail and a nature store (376 Greenwood Beach Rd.). Next stop is Ark row, a section of homes that formerly enjoyed a life as houseboats during the turn of the century. Have lunch at Sam’s Anchor Café (27 Main St.) a place with a well-deserved reputation for serving libations to a thirsty seafaring crowd. During Prohibition, Sam’s used to receive cases of bootleg booze via a secret trap door below the dock, a trap door that still exists. The deck is a great place for lunch, and on a sunny day it’s always crowded. After a bite, walk down the street to the dock and take the Angel Island Ferry across Raccoon Straits. Once you disembark at Ayala Cove, you can rent a bike, go for a hike or take a tour. The island, which has a colorful history and is now a state park, is a relatively little known gem. For dinner, you may want to consider Guaymas (right next to the ferry dock) which features Mexican cuisine and a great view or our own Tiburon Grill (1651 Tiburon Blvd.), offering a wonderful outdoor patio and simple, straightforward grill cuisine.
The Great Antique Hunt
The North Bay is blessed with three great areas to hunt down antiques. From the hotel, take Highway 101 north to the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Exit and head west to San Anselmo. This small town boasts 130 antique shops, almost all of them in the downtown area, including five collectives. Shopping at these many stores can easily take the better part of the morning. After ending the San Anselmo search, head north on Highway 101 and take the downtown Petaluma exit. By now you should have worked up an appetite so stop at Buona Sera Cucina Italiana (148 Kentucky Blvd.) a great Italian joint. After a relaxed repast, go back to the hunt on the streets of Petaluma. While not as overwhelming as San Anselmo, Petaluma has 19 stores with a little something for every taste from full blown antique emporiums to second-hand stores. After conquering Petaluma, if you still have the energy, go north on Highway 101, get off at the Highway 116 west and head for the Antique Society. The Society is the largest collective between San Francisco and Oregon. The collective has 90 dealers and 20,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Additionally, there are many antique shops located all along the Highway.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is the second largest municipal park in the United States behind Central Park in New York. With that in mind, here is a day trip that is only about 11 miles away, but a world away in terms of beauty and tranquility. Begin the day at the impressive state-of-the-art de Young Museum that has been showcasing fine art for San Franciscans and tourists since 1895. Next, head to Stow Lake, which is up and around the corner from the museum for a loop around the lake. Boats are available for rent by the hour and range from about $10-15 per hour, cash only. Rent a boat and head out on the water. For the athletically inclined there are paddleboats. For the traditionally romantic, rowboats are available, and for those in a relaxation mode motorboats are a good pick. Having tested your skippering skills head back to the car to explore the park a bit. There are a whole range of activities in the park, including model boat racing, a children’s playground, horseback riding, fly casting, tennis, baseball, soccer, polo, lacrosse, biking, lawn bowling, roller skating and golf. Besides all of the sporting pursuits, there are also breathtaking meadows, waterfalls, lakes and peaceful retreats. Having discovered your own perfect afternoon, it is time to head for the beach to catch the sunset and have a libation. Head west towards the Great Highway to the Beach Chalet, at Ocean Beach, a microbrewery with pretty good eats.
West Marin
West Marin is easily the prettiest section of our county and the natives are very protective of that beauty. For years, the residents of Bolinas waged a low-key struggle with state Highway workers, who would no sooner put up a sign marking the town limits, than the residents would take it down. While West Marin natives are still rebels by nature, they have become slightly more relaxed about visitors. This trip begins on Highway 1 heading north into Mill Valley and over Mount Tamalpais. Follow the signs to Muir Woods and walk among the forest of 1,000-year-old trees. After taking in the trees, it is on to Stinson Beach and the Canyon Ranch, a sanctuary on Bolinas Lagoon filled with egrets and heron. Taking Sir Francis Drake Blvd, to the west off Highway 1 will bring you into Inverness, which is on the banks of Tomales Bay. A good place to stop for lunch is in Inverness at the Gray Whale, with great pizza and fresh baked goodies. After a bite, head further west on Sir Francis Drake and soon you will arrive at the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse, one of the best places on the West Coast to watch the annual whale migration. From December to April, the whales make their way past the lighthouse on their way to Baja. On the way home, stop in Stinson Beach for a sunset and some dinner at the Stinson Beach Bar and Grill. It’s not a bad idea to call ahead, because the hours of the grill can vary according to the weather. The food is good, the service is friendly and the grill has live jazz on selected nights.