Activities in Marin County
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Hiking Point Reyes
For an awe-inspiring view of Point Reyes National Seashore, follow the Earthquake Trail from the park headquarters at Bear Valley. The trail reaches a 16ft gap between the two halves of a once-connected fence line, a lasting testimonial to the power of the 1906 earthquake that was centered in this area. Another trail leads from the visitors center a short way to Kule Loklo, a reproduction of a Miwok village.
Limantour Rd, off Bear Valley Rd about 1 mile north of the Bear Valley Visitor Center, leads to the Point Reyes Hostel and to Limantour Beach. At the beach there's a trail that runs along Limantour Spit, with Estero de Limantour on one side and Drakes Bay on the…
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Whale Watching
Gray whales may be seen at various points along the California coast, and the Point Reyes lighthouse is a superb viewpoint for observing these huge creatures on their annual 6000-mile migration. During summer, the whales feed in the Arctic waters between Alaska and Siberia. Around October, they start to move south down the Pacific coast of Canada and the USA to sheltered lagoons in the Gulf of California, by the Mexican state of Baja California.
The whales, led by the pregnant cows, pass Point Reyes in December and January. They're followed by pods of females and courting males, usually in groups of three to five, and then by the younger whales. The whales spend about two…
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Mountain Biking
Bikers must stay on fire roads (and off the single-track trails) and keep speeds under 15mph. The rangers take these rules seriously, and a ticket can result in a steep fine.
The most popular ride is the Old Railroad Grade. For a sweaty, 6-mile, 2280ft climb, start in Mill Valley at the end of W Blithedale Ave and bike up to East Peak. It takes about an hour to reach the West Point Inn from Mill Valley. For an easier start, begin partway up at the Mountain Home Inn and follow the Gravity Car Grade to the Old Railroad Grade and the West Point Inn. From the Inn, it's an easy half-hour ride to the summit.
From just west of Pantoll Station, bikers can either take the Deer Park…
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Hiking Marin Headlands
The headlands have some excellent mountain-biking routes, and there is no more exhilarating ride than the trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to reach them.
For a good 12-mile dirt loop, take the Coastal Trail west from the fork of Conzelman and McCullough Rds, bumping and winding down to Bunker Rd where it meets Bobcat Trail which joins Marincello Trail and descends steeply into the Tennessee Valley parking area. The Old Springs Trail and the Miwok Trail take you back to Bunker Rd a bit more gently than the Bobcat Trail, though any attempt to avoid at least a couple of hefty climbs on this ride is futile.
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Tennessee Valley Trail
Tennessee Valley Trail, in the Marin Headlands, offers beautiful views of the rugged coastline and is one of the most popular hikes in Marin (expect crowds on weekends). It offers easy, level access to the beach and ocean and is a short 3.8 miles, though it can get windy. From Hwy 101, take the Mill Valley-Stinson Beach-Hwy 1 exit and turn left onto Tennessee Valley Rd from the Shoreline Hwy; follow it to the parking lot and trailhead.
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Sea Trek Kayaking
To explore San Francisco Bay, consider renting a kayak with Sea Trek Kayaking, which also guides monthly summertime trips ($85) to Angel Island.
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Mike's Bikes
Mike's Bikes, at the north end of Bridgeway Blvd near Hwy 101, rents road and mountain-bikes. Supplies are limited and reservations are not accepted.
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Marin County Bike Coalition
For details on routes, regulations and group rides, contact the Marin County Bike Coalition , publisher of the Marin Bicycle Map.
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Five Brooks Stable
Explore on horseback with Five Brooks Stable, which also offers pony rides for kids ($15).
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Point Reyes Outdoors
To explore the peninsula from the water, contact Point Reyes Outdoors.
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