Cascade Falls in Cascade Park, Mill Valley is different from Cascade Falls in Fairfax which are…read moreclose together. The Cascade Falls in Cascade Park still have water unlike the Falls in Fairfax in July 2025. The road to get there is cascade drive would take us all the way to the park. There aren't many parking lots for spaces around the area. We're lucky to find one right in front of the Cascade trail. People parked along the Cascade Drive and walk up to the trail. It's a very short hike to the Falls, on the right hand side by the little bridge. The trail is really nice, you can walk up hills pass the Falls. In the rainy season, we can see the water running along the creek on the right hand side. From here we can take a drive to Muir Beach or Muir Woods National Monuments which is very beautiful but we need to book a parking permit in advanced. It's always booked unless we book a week in advance. This Summer we're trying to visit all the beautiful places in Northern California.

This hike is easily accessible from the parking lot and has gorgeous falls and streams straight…read morefrom the beginning. There is a bigger, more challenging loop if you want more exercise and is the quintessential hike to see redwoods and falls in their splendor.

This trail technically goes from Mill Valley to Kent Woodlands but this review is for the trail…read moreloop featured on All Trails which is 2.7 miles and a little over an hour. This leg of the trail runs parallel to the Southern Main Fire Road which is a good alternative if you are going to also go to Dawn Falls but wanted more trail and not a fire road. It's also much less trafficked and has more shade. This loop is better in winter and spring. The winter especially after the rains there are small waterfalls along the trail (they dry up by late March) and it's very green. Spring brings some wildflowers like Irises. The summer can get hot with dead brush so not as great but at least it's mostly shaded. Can see Bay, Richmond Bridge, and Mount Diablo in the distance.

What a gorgeous hike! The drive to get to the base of the hike is an easy one hour drive from SF…read more The first 15 minutes of the hike is mostly covered in tree canopy with a gorgeous stream. It's a little chilly but then it opened up to an uphill climb for a mile. The expansive views of the mill valley are beautiful. Very dog friendly but also lots of mountain bikers so just keep your pup close. Lovely hike and I cannot wait to do it again.

We started our hike to Fishbits at the Old St Hillary's church. There is limited parking there…read more Maybe two spots. There is a trail head just in front of the parking spots or you can catch it at the back of the church. This trail cuts across the bottom of the Old Hillary Preserve - imagine the preserve is a wedge and the trail cuts across the point of the wedge. It ends on a residential street - Vistazo West, where we then hiked up the hill - linking to Lyford Dr. It's pretty steep, but eventually you get to another trailhead from Lyford. You may want to turn left up Sugar Loaf and then Right on Heathcliff Dr, but it was pretty steep and we decided to stay on Lyford, which also leads to a trialhead for Fishbits. Once on the trail head you climb to the top with the trail's clear hills and valleys ,and have amazing views of the bay, Angel Island and the Golden Gate and Richmond Bridges. If you take this to the end - you will be greeted by a "No Trespassing -Private Property," sign just outside a wire fence that has been cut open - clearly some time ago. We proceeded and there is another sign posted right at the lookout point for Angel Island. Taking this trail around - there are now houses on the left which are enclosed by chainlink fencing. At this point, you may want to go back on the main trail or if you proceed, the trail gets a bit more narrow and challenging - uneven, less groomed, some rocks, etc. but clearly more than a deer trail. It cuts across the mountain and then switches back towards the trail behind Old Hillary's Church. All Trails lists this a down and back trail and not a loop. We kept going and it did eventually loop back to the church. It was just short of 4 miles, steep, and took us 2.5 hours and I'm not in great shape. So there you have it!

Really enjoyed this trail. I went on a Tuesday and there wasn't many people on it which was nice…read more The views were beautiful!

I had forgotten how lovely this hike is. As we had some recent rain, there is still a creek…read moreflowing. However I think I would have to rename Dawn Falls to Dawn trickle. Although I don't own a dog, it was nice to see that this was a dog friendly trail. The head of the trail is in the depth of a forested, beautiful neighborhood. Parking can be challenging, but being a weekday we lucked out. We ended up doing a 5 mile out and back with maybe 500 feet of climbing. If we had more time, we would've continued up to King Mountain. Between the redwood trees, the creek the beautiful rocks and ferns the entire hike was delightful.

This is such a lovely trail in the heart of downtown Larkspur. But be aware they only have street…read moreparking, and it fills up pretty quickly on weekends. I love hiking here because the trail is easy and beautiful, and we can have our dog join us. People should have their dogs on leash, but unfortunately, we've encountered folks who flout that rule. Oh well! The scenery is beautiful, and the trail is less busy than other local comparable destinations. The bridges and redwoods make Baltimore Canyon a nature lover's paradise. There's just so much beauty to take in. I recommend coming in the late morning to early afternoon on a weekday when parking is still available, and the trail is sparsely traveled.

For getting in shape on backpacking trips, high altitude treks, or a cardio workout Rodeo Valley…read moreTrail cannot be beat. The trail leads up to Hill 88 ( amazing spooky place with breathtaking views) but you can turnoff and head over to the FAA tower. This hike is roughly 7 miles with 2000 feet of altitude ascent....that's where you get your training. Stunning views abound!! You can seriously make countless permutations of hikes: Go down to miwok stables up to Wolf ridge blah blah blah. 12 mile hike no worries. Highly recommended with plenty of parking and nice bathrooms at the trail head.

There are a couple of parking lots that you can start this hike from. You can easily do a shorter…read moreor longer variation of this hike. We decided to start at the parking lot nearest to the visitors center. As you head up the hill you will get beautiful views of the valley and the beautiful hills above you. But then as you turn and start walking on the side of the hill over the tunnel you will start to spot Golden Gate Bridge from the distance. From there with every turn you make the view just gets better until San Francisco Bay opens up to you in all its glory. You get to see Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz, San Francisco, and Golden Gate Bridge. And this is where you realize that all that elevation gain 987 feet was totally worth it. Personally we have done longer hikes and have even gained more elevation for a lot less of a view. When your done soaking up the views it will be time to descend down into the valley. What I found interesting was how much more greener and lush with vegetation this side of the valley is. During this trail we had to cross two non-busy streets. The loop is complete once you get to the parking lot. This loop is 5.6 miles long.

Loma Alta Ridge. I keep going back for more!!!…read more https://youtu.be/zPq7GUQO7uw https://youtu.be/Urm8R-MALw0

There are a few open space preserves in Fairfax: Loma Alta, White Hill, and Cascade. This one is…read moretechnically Loma Alta. There are many trails that go up in the hills and intersect or if you go to the other side of the street it is the White Hill Preserve. These preserves are really popular with mountain bikers in Marin. During the winter there is a waterfall, it's not as great as some others in Marin but it's also not as crowded. The waterfall is located on the Old Railroad Grade trail. For a shorter hike that's about 2.5 miles I do a loop Of Old Railroad Grade-Hunter Creek Court-Baywood Canyon. Parking is 2 turn outs. I like the closer one (to Fairfax) because you go under the bridge and there's always some graffiti.

Very soothing and tranquil spot to hike. Great views of the bay. Not too far. Good for families.read more

The hiking trails above Tennessee Valley in Mill Valley over to Muir Beach offer some of the most…read morespectacular scenery you'll find anywhere in the world. Coyote Trail which loops over to the Green Gulch and Miwok trails offer 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, the East bay, Mount Tamalpais and Mill Valley. It is especially beautiful during springtime with the many varieties of colorful wild flowers that dot the hillsides. Scurrying quails, soaring hawks, abundant butterflies and the occasional bobcat (not to worry as they are quite skittish) are common companions on the trails. A great alternative to the many shaded redwood trails if you're looking for warmth and sunshine. http://gurmeet.net/hiking/hikes/Muir_Beach_To_Tennessee_Beach_Long_Loop.html

Checked out Roy's Redwood Preserve in San Geronimo, CA. Free street parking on Nicasio Valley Rd…read moreby W. Nicasio Rd. We started on the right Redwood Loop Trail, little shade, mostly sun on this side. Saw the prescribed burn on some hills, then we took Mossy Rocks Trail down the stairs, to the boardwalk trail. Lots of nice redwood trees, I like the Fairy Ring Trees. We did about 3 miles there, can be extended to nearby parks. One pit toilet near the boardwalk trail. It was super full when I used it Sunday 6/28/26. I emailed Marin County parks to tell them, not sure anyone saw it. Worth going.

What a gem this spot is. There are multiple trails & loops you can choose from. The trails are very…read morewell maintained. The diversity of the landscape is fantastic. Truly appreciated the areas for kids & also ADA friendly. We enjoyed seeing some majestic old and tall redwoods. Large detailed map at start of trails- we took a screen shot which was a big help. Thank you, Marin County Open Space District for keeping this park in tiptop shape!