Marin Headlands is one of the best regional parks in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)…read more It is one of the best places to not only hike but to take pictures. This is also great for photographers. Pretty much the hills, grass, trails, rocks, and trails are amazing! This is also a great place for photographers. There are other places like those Battery ones and Hill 88, but my friend and I didn't really get a chance to go there since we pretty much missed the path and we didn't want to turn around. Honestly, it's really hot here and thank goodness that I bring water and snacks in case I'm thirsty or hungry. Most importantly, bring water! You'll need it if you're ever going to hike here. The trip is short in my opinion since I'm used to hiking for a long time. In the future, I am planning to come back here to revisit scenic spots that we missed. The hike might be longer since I enjoy hiking at regional parks.

My buddy and I love doing challenging long hikes and today we did 31 miles at Marin Headlands. It…read morewas an amazing hike full of different terrain and sightseeing opportunities. It was overcast when we hiked, but I like it this way only because it was very cool and the exposure to the sun was limited. We saw so many unique historical sites also, which I did not expect. The route we took had a lot of elevation gain and I had to put on some gloves for rock scrambling, but there are so many easy trails also. We also crossed the Golden Gate Bridge also, which is a first for me! Please come and create your own adventure.

This is by far our favorite camp site. We booked 6 months out. There was 12 of us in our group so…read morewe reserved 2 camp sites next to each other. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people. It's $35/night + $8.25 reservation fee. 1 free parking per site and $5/day for each additional car. We had 8 tents set up and there was still room to put up more. There was so much space. I was afraid as we've never done a walk in camp site before but the parking lot was so close. There was plenty of garbage totters to help carry stuff to the camp site. We did it in just 1 trip. Bathrooms were ok. The toilet seats have seen better days. There are coin operated showers. $1 for 10 mins. The sign for firewood says sold between 4-6pm but when we arrived after 6pm we could still get some from the camp host. Bring cash. We appreciated the food storage cabinets as they were all in great condition. We did run into raccoons at 5:45 in the morning. Just had to make sure all the food was put away in the cabinets. Saw a cat and a family of deers too. There are some yellow jackets but also traps for them at each site. We didn't do any hikes this time but we went to China Camp beach. It's only 8 minutes drive from camp. The location of the camp site is great too. Just 15 minutes drive from the nearest Safeway and restaurants too. Yet far enough to be with nature. Note, even though there was lots of trees we were told that hammocks were not allowed.

A great place for hiking and mountain bike riding is just a few miles from our home and from many…read morein the Bay Area. China Camp State Park has a number of trails that we enjoy. These are primarily single track trails that take you through the oak woodlands. One of our favorites is the Shoreline Trail. It winds around the campground and then rides like a roller coaster as you follow the terrain of the hills beside the Bay. You'll often see black tail deer, grey squirrel, and if you're lucky - a flock of Turkey. If you're adventurous and have the energy, pedal (or hike) up to the ridge of . You can travel up either Powerline Trail or Oak Ridge Trail and the views at top are beautiful. In 2012, the State of California suspended funding for 70 state parks including China Camp State Park. Locals founded a. Non-profit called Friends of China Camp who keep the park maintained and in good shape. Be sure to purchase a Day Pass (or an annual pass like we have) to support the park and ensure it will be here for us to enjoy in the future.

I had a pretty great childhood, but I didn't have a park with a playground surrounded by redwoods…read more This park is amazing!! But wait, there's more! It's not just for kids here, as there are often people sitting or lying amongst the redwoods... reading, listening to the creek, or even forest bathing. I've done this and let hours slip away while I just zenned out here. It's also in a fantastic location- right next to the MV Library and the Friends of the Library Bookstore. It is a smaller park, and it's a very peaceful place. Come and enjoy, and please leave no trace. =)

It's tranquil. Beautiful. Quiet. And full of peace. It's a great place to read, walk talk or see…read moredogs and humans shuttle to and from.

Phoenix Lake in Ross is one of my favorite places to hike and has become part of my regular…read moreroutine. It's easy to get to, and if you arrive before 9:30 am, you usually have a good chance of finding a parking spot. Even if the lot is full, it's worth waiting a few minutes because spaces often open up as hikers finish their walks. My friends and I love hiking here, and we also enjoy mountain biking on the trails from time to time. The trails are well maintained, the scenery is beautiful, and the peaceful atmosphere makes every visit enjoyable. During the week, it's especially quiet, making it the perfect place to relax, get some exercise, and enjoy nature. We are fortunate to have such a beautiful outdoor destination in Marin. I highly recommend Phoenix Lake to anyone looking for a peaceful hike with stunning surroundings.

I've loved coming to Phoenix Lake since I moved to Marin in the 70's…read more I used to ride my bike from my house in San Rafael hitch up my bike when I got to the lake and then do a run around the lake and then ride my bike home. Trust me, I only hike it now! Today I added in a few new to me trails including the Yolanda Trail, 5 Corners & Shaver Grade. A mix of open exposed trails to a gorgeous canopy of redwoods & terrific views of Mt. Tam

GORGEOUS. The views were simply amazing at sunset!…read more The Verna Dunshee loop is 0.7 miles and completely flat (under 20 minutes) while the East Peak trail is 0.3 miles and ~300 feet of elevation gain (around 30 minutes up-and-down). The East Peak trail was pretty challenging with uneven ground and steep elevation, but it's doable for most people as long as you take it slow. The east peak parking lot is $8 to park but super easy to access and plenty of spots available. You can scan a QR code at the entrance to the trails to pay, and wi-fi is provided.

The Verna Dunchee loop is actually what brought us here. It is paved and flat and less than a mile…read moremaking it an easy enjoyable peaceful walk, I did it in my fuzzy boots. When we finished my husband looked up at the fire look out and then back at me and said "you wanna?". So I returned to our vehicle put on tennis shoes and started up. The first part is wooden and easy but then all the easy stops. I am going to go ahead and call it a beginners rock scramble since you must use your hands some of the time. The views are stunning! Makes you stop and appreciate nature and all its miracles. Totally worth it but I will admit it was harder than I anticipated. The loss of the star is 8$ parking. Oh and the bathrooms were clean! Dog friendly.

Located right next to Barrel House Tavern, this isn't your typical park featuring grassy fields and…read moregreenery... Yee Tock Chee Park is a small open space along the water, made up of concrete and stone, as well as a few wooden benches and a couple trees on the border (street side). It's a memorial to Willie Chee, former owner of Marin Fruit Company. The historical site even has stairs leading into the water where the Princess ferry boat used to dock. Strolling along the waterfront, exploring the adorable shops and eateries on Bridgeway, this park is a nice little spot to relax and enjoy the scenery. On a clear day, I was able to admire wonderful views of the city and nearby islands, especially as there are steps to an elevated level for visitors to take advantage of, to feel like you are actually on the water.

#17/2016 Here's a…read morelittle raised, triangular parklet that offers cool grass and shade from established trees and the best view across the Bay of the San Francisco skyline, the bridges, Treasure Island and Tiburon. A loving plaque dedicates this small patch of greenery to longtime resident Yee Tock Chee. He seems like he was beloved.

An awesome place to hike! This open space has good trails featuring views of the Civic Center and…read moreMt. Tam. Some of the trails connect to China Camp State Park and Harry Barbier Park. The preserve is pretty heavily forested by oaks, bays, madrones, and a few redwoods, which keeps it nice and cool while you're working up a sweat. The trails are not heavily trafficked in my experience, and dogs (on leash) and horses are allowed on trails and the fire roads. Bikes are not permitted on some of the trails, but it's not uncommon for mountain bikers to come bombing down the hill with no warning, on trails where they're not supposed to be. Other than that occasional surprise, hiking here can be quite peaceful. If you're looking for a good workout out in nature, San Pedro Ridge is a nice option. I wouldn't recommend hiking here for absolute beginners, as some of the trails can be a little challenging even for experienced hikers.

Outdoors lovers like me look at that big hill west of 101 in the Dominican area of San Rafael, and…read morethink "I wonder what is up there." Thankfully, you can find out. Why? Because it's there. When I lived in San Rafael, I did find out. I started at the trailhead near Dominican University, and did the slow incline up the fire road. It's a dense wooded forest of oaks, very shady. If I remember right, I made it to the top a few times. The big surprise: I looked down the hill, and saw the remains of a car that didn't quite get the curve right, and now it's rusting 40 feet down from the fire road! I don't know if it's there anymore, but it was in the last millennium. Today, I found out more. This time, I started at a trailhead near the Civic Center. Now there is manzanita along with the oaks, alternating between shade and open space. And views, first of the Terra Linda area, then of the neighborhood west of downtown SR and also Mt. Tam. Names of parkland, depending on where you are: Harry Barbier Memorial Park, City of San Rafael; San Pedro Mountain, Marin Open Space; China Camp State Park, Land of Fruits and Nuts. You don't just happen upon the trailheads, you need to know how to get to them. This is not an easy place to hike. If you get winded on hills, you'll have trouble on these trails. It's enough of a challenge to give experienced hikers a good workout. Dogs love it too. Several single-track trails, and mountain bikes are allowed on them. NO WATER. San Pedro Ridge is not a unique place, but it is a very nice getaway when you're tired of being cooped up in your too-expensive Marin shack. The big thing about San Pedro Ridge is not the destination, but the journey. And what a good little journey it is.

Great place to walk and bike. Right next to the bay. Can watch sunrise, sunset and moon rise.read more

Popular and scenic trail along the Richardson Bay in the Spinnaker Point neighborhood. The view of…read moreMt. Tam are breathtaking and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is off in the distance. There are all sorts of birds throughout the year and sometimes squirrels will make an appearance along the rocks. I have seen people fishing sometimes on my walks. It can get crowded in the mornings and evenings. There are people riding their bicycles, running, and walking. I like to go for walks here when I can. It is all flat, but it's a great distance for me. My walks are about a half hour which is perfect since it is the recommended amount of time we should walk every day.