Spanning across the iconic Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, Tamalpais State Park offers a wonderland of outdoor exploration and tranquility just north of San Francisco. Crisscrossed by over 60 miles of hiking trails, the park beckons adventurers to summit the 2,571-foot peak and take in sweeping vistas of the bay, valleys, and coastline below. Rocky outcrops, oak woodlands, and redwood groves provide habitat for diverse flora and fauna. History buffs can visit the East Peak, where the Coastal Miwok people once gathered, or see remnants of the Mountain Theater constructed during the Great Depression. Whether enjoying a scenic picnic, spotting hawks and deer, or traversing ridgelines as coastal fog rolls in, Tamalpais State Park offers a beloved taste of pristine nature right in the Bay Area's backyard.
The misty trail to the top.
The views form the peak.
A couple of important notes.
- Make sure to check trail conditions and permit requirements before you go.
- Respect the wildlife by maintaining your distance and refrain from feeding.
- Don't pick the flowers (or anythign, even mushrooms). Rude and also illegal.
- Parking for popular trails can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
- Dogs are allowed on many trails, but only if leashed.
The misty trail to the top.
The views from the peak.