Must see hotels in Marin County

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Hikers rejoice! Set amid redwood, spruce and pine trees on a ridge of Mt Tamalpais with trails spreading in all directions, this retreat is both modern…

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Just off Hwy 1, about 1 mile south of Stinson Beach, this jewel has seven primitive beachfront tent sites and nine rustic five-person cabins with…

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Serene and comfortable, these four modern cottages back right onto Tomales Bay, with skylights and decks extending the views in all directions. Full…

Spread over 45 acres of the Bay Area’s most scenic parkland, Cavallo Point lodge flaunts an eco-conscious focus with a full-service spa, restaurant and…

Point Reyes has four extremely popular backcountry campgrounds with pit toilets, water (not always potable) and picnic tables (no fires). All require a 1…

With views of the bay and Mt Tamalpais, and a lobby with a welcoming fireplace, this boutique hotel doesn’t lack for eye candy. Contemporary rooms are…

A stylish and comfortable contemporary hotel, although concrete hallways and staircases testify to the more basic motel it once was. The best value in…

Just off Limantour Rd, this rustic hostel has bunkhouses with warm and cozy front rooms, big-view windows and outdoor areas with hill vistas. A newer eco…

A crusty old place dating to 1851, Smiley’s has simple but decent rooms (no TV or phone), and last-minute weekday rates can be a bargain. The bar, which…

Wake up to grazing deer and dew on the ground at this spartan 1907 military compound snuggled in the woods. It has comfortable beds and two well-stocked…

In the hills above Muir Beach, this Zen Buddhist retreat center’s contemporary accommodations are for personal retreats or those attending the center's…

Just off Hwy 1 and a quick stroll to the beach, Sandpiper's rooms, cabins and cottage are all comfortable and truly adorable. All have a gas fireplace and…

Ensconce yourself in one of 31 modern and spacious rooms – most with private deck and wood-burning fireplace – that practically levitate over the water…

Fronting a peaceful cove at Tomales Bay, these water-view and waterfront vacation cottages are expensive, but oh-so romantic. Some have a wood-burning…

Load up your sleeping bag and hike 2 miles from Pantoll Station to this rustic 1904 hilltop hideaway built as a stopover for the Mill Valley and Mt…

Tranquil and inviting, this inn has nine guest rooms in a historical 1869 home and six in a newer building. The more expensive rooms have a Jacuzzi,…

This upmarket motel has wonderful service and spiffy rooms with good beds. Alas, it was built backwards: all but two rooms (which have stunning views)…

Steps away from the ferry in the middle of downtown, this grand 1915 hotel has loads of period charm, paired with modern touches such as satellite TV, DVD…

In a spectacular shady nook near the entrance to the bay, there’s a small beach with the Golden Gate Bridge arching over the rocks nearby. At night you…

At this hotel, with its deck extending over the bay, tasteful rooms have an elegant minimalism that combines comfort and style. Rooms with rustic high…