Most of Marin's towns are located along Highway 101. Start at the bottom and you'll find the town of Sausalito, a locale that's become a favorite "side trip" for those visiting the "City by the Bay." Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this charming town offers an attractive waterfront area, an expansive marina, seaside parks, a plethora of shops and art galleries, and much more. Sausalito restaurants are among the best in the area and lodging options are plentiful.
Keep heading north and you'll reach other "suburban" San Francisco towns such as Belvedere, Tiburon, and Mill Valley. Here, you'll find some of the most coveted Marin County real estate, as these affluent towns are pleasant and far enough removed from the city to please most suburbanites yet close enough for an easy commute. As a matter of fact, Belvedere recently boasted the highest per capita income in the country and Tiburon isn't far behind. Ferry service is available from Tiburon to San Francisco.
Mill Valley, nestled among canyons and redwoods, is home to many arts festivals, like the annual Mill Valley Film Festival, and has its own theater company. It also provides a good central point from which to explore the natural wonders of the area, from the coast to the mountains. Nearby Corte Madera extends from San Francisco Bay to the highway and boasts plenty of open space while still serving as a commuter town for those who work in the city. From this area, you can also head to Mt. Tamalpais State Park, where guests can mountain bike or make their way to the top of the 2,500 foot peak for a fantastic view of the Bay Area.
On the southern coast of Marin County, you'll find beautiful Muir Beach. This community of about 150 large oceanview homes is stunning, and residents and visitors can enjoy 2 nearby Pacific Ocean beaches, the 75,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mount Tamalpais, and a host of wildlife, sea birds, butterflies, and more. Nearby Redwood Creek has earned a reputation as a great place to salmon fish and there's a great English pub in town that's a favorite hang-out for the locals.
Just a little ways up the road, Stinson Beach boasts 3.5 miles of cool sand and a 51-acre park that surrounds this pretty stretch of coast. There's plenty of room to swim, surf, sunbathe, picnic, or stroll. Bolinas, just a few miles north of Stinson, is home to the county's only fine art museum, the Bolinas Museum, which focuses on the talented artists of coastal Marin County.
If you enjoy lighthouses, don't miss a trip to pretty Point Bonita Lighthouse, where you'll find a still-active, picturesque structure with a rich maritime history. A half-mile (sometimes steep) trail takes you out to the coast for a look at the lighthouse, which is located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Marin Headlands, also part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is a great place to learn about Miwok Indian history and provides visitors with a look at two historic forts, Fort Barry and Fort Cronkhite, both built in the early 20th century to guard the coast.
Back on Highway 101 heading north, you'll come to the county seat of San Rafael. Mission San Rafael Arcangel was the 20th Spanish mission founded by Father Junipero Serra and his compatriots. Home to about 55,000 residents, this attractive city was once the headquarters of George Lucas' LucasFilm production company. Here you'll find lots of excellent Marin County restaurants as well as a number of cultural opportunities including theater companies and galleries. It's also an enjoyable place for outdoor types as well, with parkland occupying more than 30% of the land area in San Rafael.
The nearby city of San Anselmo is the town the Northern Pacific Railroad built. Its downtown area is charming - full of shops, galleries, and cafes - and the city has become known recently as Northern California's antiquing capital. At the turn of the 20th Century, San Anselmo was the Silent Film Capital of the world!
Also nearby, the town of Larkspur is on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to charming Victorians and other turn-of-the-century treasures. The city of Fairfax, inland from San Anselmo, earned its reputation in the 1960s as one of the most liberal "hippie" towns in California, but now serves as a gateway to West Marin.
Novato, Marin County's northernmost city, is home to the Marin Museum of the American Indian and Olompali State Park. The former is a fascinating museum dedicated entirely to the Native American culture of Marin and surrounding areas. The Olompali State Park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the slopes of Mount Burdell and is a fun place to enjoy hiking and horseback riding.
Back towards the coast, one of Marin's must-see destinations is Point Reyes National Seashore. Over 120 known Coast Miwok Indian village sites exist within the park, and according to experts, Sir Francis Drake landed here in 1579 and was the first European explorer to do so. The most stunning thing about Point Reyes is the view, but be sure to also visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse and take time to explore the diverse native wildlife and plants located on the peninsula. |
Featured Listings
Agate Beach
Seafood Peddler
Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park
Stinson Beach
San Pablo Bay
The San Rafael Inn
Sylvia Barry
White House Pool
Point Bonita Lighthouse
China Camp State Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Matt Hughes - Coldwell Banker
Olompali State Historical Park
The DuPont Group
Muir Woods National Monument
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Tomales Bay State Park
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