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ОглавлениеMARIN COUNTY
Map
Tomales Point to Point Reyes Lighthouse
Limantour Beach and Olema Valley
Marin Headlands
Photos
From its earliest days as a state, California has depended on Marin County for agricultural products. By 1862, Marin County dairies provided one-quarter of the state’s butter. Redwood trees on the hills surrounding Bolinas were cut to build the wooden row houses of San Francisco after the gold rush. From sawmills near the shore, lumber was loaded on flat-bottomed lighters in Bolinas Lagoon and transferred to ships anchored offshore. Cutting timber for forest products came to a halt long ago in Marin County, but dairy operations remain prominent. Compared to those in the 19th century, dairy farms today are fewer in number but more productive. As in the past, family farms dominate agriculture in Marin County.
Historic B Ranch, Point Reyes Peninsula
Experience coastal Marin history
Unlikely as it may seem to visitors now, the village of Tomales was once an ocean port. The first European settler was an Irishman named John Keys who, beginning in 1850, built a house and store there. A line of warehouses later served the ships that carried butter, hogs, beef, and potatoes down Keys Creek to Tomales Bay and thence to San Francisco. Within 20 years the creek bed had silted in, and ships could sail no closer to Tomales than Ocean Roar at the mouth of Keys Creek. When the North Pacific Coast Railroad reached Tomales in 1875, linking the area to the rail-ferry wharf in Sausalito (and thus to San Francisco), transportation of farm produce was greatly improved.
A number of 19th-century structures remain near the intersection of Main St. and Dillon Beach Rd. in Tomales. The Church of the Assumption, located just south of the present business section, was built in 1860 and restored after the 1906 earthquake. The Tomales Regional History Center at 26701 Hwy. One has exhibits about the area’s early residents, agricultural economy, and the North Pacific Coast Railroad. The museum is open on Saturday and Sunday, 1–4 PM. For information, call: 707-878-9443.
The Jack Mason Museum of West Marin History in Inverness is housed in an 1893-vintage house known as The Gables, located at 15 Park Avenue. A small gallery features changing exhibits, such as historic photos of West Marin scenes and farming families. The gallery shares space with the Inverness Public Library; for open hours, call: 415-669-1288. For more information on the museum’s collections, which focus on the history of the Tomales Bay region between the hamlets of Ocean Roar and Dogtown, call: 415-669-1099.
Point Reyes Station was originally a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad. The old depot now serves as the post office. Other buildings in town are named for their original functions: the Old Creamery Building, the Livery Stable, the Hay Barn. A children’s playground and public restrooms are on Mesa Rd. at Toby St. in Point Reyes Station. Well-known photographer Art Rogers, who has made celebrated portraits of local residents over nearly four decades, has a gallery in Point Reyes Station (call: 415-663-8345) and sometimes displays his work at the Jack Mason Museum in Inverness.
Dine on local oysters
Locally raised oysters are a Tomales Bay–area specialty and can be enjoyed at many local restaurants. In the hamlet of Marshall, Hog Island Oyster Company offers bayside picnic and barbecue facilities for shuckyour-own fare, as well as take-away oysters, Manila clams, and mussels. Picnic reservations are advised. Open daily, 9 AM–5 PM; call: 415-663-9218. Tomales Bay Oyster Company is on Hwy. One just north of Millerton Point. There are picnic and barbecue facilities overlooking Tomales Bay, and fresh oysters and shellfish are available to go. Open daily, 9 AM–5 PM; call: 415-663-1243.
Tomales Bay Oyster Company picnic area
Explore Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore was created to protect wild lands, natural ecosystems, and open space close to the urban centers of the San Francisco Bay Area. Some 80 miles of unspoiled coastline are preserved in the park, and there are beaches, grasslands, forests, and estuaries to explore. Historic ranches continue in operation within the National Seashore boundaries. Recreational activities include beachcombing, hiking, kayaking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Part of the National Seashore has been designated as the Phillip Burton Wilderness Area; hikers and equestrians, but no bicycles or motorized vehicles, are allowed on wilderness trails.
Part of the Point Reyes National Seashore is designated as the Tule Elk Reserve, created to restore to the elk some of the habitat originally theirs before the introduction of dairy farming on the peninsula. The elk may be seen year round, roaming throughout the reserve. Within the reserve, a popular place to view the elk is the three-mile-long trail starting at Pierce Point Ranch and leading through grasslands to Tomales Point. From July to September, when bull elk are competing for females’ attention, docents are at the Tomales Point Trailhead on weekends, 10:30 AM–4:30 PM. Use binoculars and maintain a safe distance; do not approach the animals.
See salmon on their way to spawn
Lagunitas Creek is the largest of the streams feeding Tomales Bay. Coho salmon, along with steelhead, return to Lagunitas Creek and its tributaries to deposit eggs on the gravelly stream bottom. The watershed has among the largest populations of endangered wild coho salmon in California, even though the number of returning fish has dropped dramatically from historic levels. Up to 6,000 adults once came to spawn, and perhaps only onetenth that many have returned to the stream in recent years. Numerous dams built within the watershed block migration of the salmon.
During the winter months, returning salmon can be viewed at locations along Lagunitas Creek and its tributaries, including Samuel P. Taylor State Park and the Leo Cronin salmon viewing area off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., eight miles west of Fairfax. December is often a peak month for viewing. When returning to freshwater, the silver fish turn bright red (males) or pink (females). After spawning, the fish remain for a few days near their nests before dying.
Other attractions
The town of Bolinas holds an annual Fourth of July celebration that includes a parade and a tug-of-war with residents of the neighboring community of Stinson Beach. At Point Reyes Station, the Western Weekend parade and barbecue is held every year on the first weekend in June, with a nod to the area’s ranching roots. For over 30 years, a Sand Sculpture Contest has been held at Drakes Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore in September. Entry is free, and prizes are awarded; for information, call: 415-464-5100. For a calendar of events, a list of farms that offer tours and overnight stays, and information about local producers of cheese and other foods, see: www.visitmarin.org.
Marin County
Dillon Beach Area
DILLON BEACH: End of Dillon Beach Rd., 4.1 mi. W. of Tomales. Public access to a broad sandy beach via a privately owned parking area. Picnic tables are on the sand. Dogs must be leashed in parking area and may be under voice control on the beach. Café and general store nearby. Call: 707-878-2094.
LAWSON’S LANDING: 5 mi. W. of Tomales, off Hwy. One, S.W. of Dillon Beach. Take the road south from Dillon Beach to this privately operated resort, offering day use and camping. Designated campsites for tents or RVs are located in a meadow and along the seawall; no vehicles allowed in the sand dunes. Picnic tables and fire rings available. Call ahead in wet weather, when the campground may be closed. RV dump stations available. Reservations accepted online only; visit www.lawsonslanding.com.
Boating facilities include self-launch of trailered boats or kayaks, launching service by tractor, boat rentals, and out-board motor repairs. The boat-house offers bait and tackle, propane, firewood, and fishing licenses; call: 707-878-2443.
▪ Popular area for clamming; fishing license required
▪ Pier and bay fishing for halibut, perch, starry flounder, sand dabs, and more
▪ Shorebirds arrive en masse in winter
▪ Harbor seals haul out on the sandy shore
▪ Tule elk may be seen on Tomales Point
KEYS CREEK FISHING ACCESS: Milepost 44.07 on Hwy. One, 1.6 mi. S.W. of Tomales. Small public fishing access area has picnic tables and restrooms. A trail, sometimes overgrown, leads from the gravel parking lot to the bank of Keys Creek. Fishing for coastal coho (silver) salmon, designated as endangered, is prohibited. For steelhead fishing rules, check current Fish and Wildlife Department regulations.
WALKER CREEK DELTA: 2 mi. S. of Tomales, W. of Hwy. One. Walker Creek with its tributary, Keys Creek, is the second largest of the streams feeding Tomales Bay. Although its flow has been reduced by siltation, the stream still supports runs of coho salmon and steelhead. The Walker Creek delta includes over 100 acres of marsh and mud-flats. The delta is managed by Audubon Canyon Ranch, a nonprofit land preservation and education organization. Access to the marsh is reserved primarily for educational and scientific purposes and is by appointment only; call: 415-663-8203.
Marin County
Tomales Bay East Shore
TOMALES BAY: N.W. of Point Reyes Station. The bay is 13 miles long, one mile wide, and very shallow; the south end is less than ten feet deep, and wide expanses of mudflats are exposed at low tide. The bay is fed not by a great river, but rather by small streams, of which Walker/ Keys Creek, Lagunitas Creek, and Olema Creek are the largest. Salt and freshwater marshes are found along the shore.
▪ Nearly 100 species of water-associated birds have been sighted at Tomales Bay
▪ Shorebirds include marbled godwits, black turnstones, and willets
▪ Waterfowl include surf scoters, buffleheads, and ruddy ducks
▪ Great egrets wade in shallow bay waters
MILLER PARK LAUNCHING FACILITY: Hwy. One, 3.6 mi. N. of Marshall. County park has a pier, jetty, and concrete boat launch ramp. Picnic area in a grove of trees. Fee for parking.
NICK’S COVE: Hwy. One, 3.6 mi. N. of Marshall. A restaurant and inn occupy historic bayside buildings; there is public access to the pier and beach during business hours. Call: 415-663-1033.
LIVERMORE MARSH/CYPRESS GROVE: Marshall-Petaluma Rd., Hwy. One intersection. Managed by Audubon Canyon Ranch, a land preservation and education organization. Access is reserved primarily for educational and scientific purposes and is by appointment only; call: 415-663-8203.
VILLAGE OF MARSHALL: Hwy. One, 10 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Historic hamlet with oyster production and sales.
▪ Kayak rentals and instruction at Blue Waters Kayaking, 19225 Shoreline Hwy.; call: 415-669-2600
MARCONI CONFERENCE CENTER: E. of Hwy. One, 1 mi. S. of Marshall. The old Marconi Hotel (built 1913) is a state park, used as a conference center. Overnight accommodations are offered to travelers not attending a conference if space is available; reservations taken three days in advance. Call: 415-663-9020.
TOMALES BAY STATE PARK–MILLERTON POINT: Hwy. One, 5.4 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Trail leads to the point. A small salt marsh borders the beach, known as Alan Sieroty Beach. Dogs on leash allowed only on the fire road running on high ground from the parking lot. Tomasini Point, undeveloped state park property, is one mile north of Millerton Point; an opening in the fence marks a trail to the shoreline; no dogs allowed. Call: 415-669-1140.
▪ Picnic area
▪ Views of forested Inverness Ridge
▪ Osprey platform encourages nesting
BIVALVE OVERLOOK: Milepost 31.50 on Hwy. One, 3.2 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Views of Tomales Bay from gravel pull-out along Hwy. One.
TOMALES BAY TRAILHEAD: Edge of Tomales Bay Ecological Reserve, 2.2 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Trail from Hwy. One to the southern tip of Tomales Bay. Small gravel parking lot.
Marin County
Point Reyes Station
GIACOMINI WETLANDS: W. of Point Reyes Station. Former pasture land has been undergoing wetland restoration since 2007. Anticipated benefits include the capture of significant amounts of sediment, thus improving the quality of water in Tomales Bay, and improved passage for coho salmon that spawn in streams feeding Tomales Bay. For information on public field seminars and volunteer work days, contact the Point Reyes National Seashore: 415-464-5227.
▪ Spur trail overlooking the wetlands begins at 3rd and C streets in Point Reyes Station
OLEMA MARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bear Valley Rd. intersection, S.E. corner. Freshwater marsh is bordered by dense willow thickets; public entry is not permitted, but many birds may be seen from the parking area located off Bear Valley Road. The marsh is part of the Point Reyes National Seashore.
WHITE HOUSE POOL: Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bear Valley Rd. intersection, N.E. corner. Public access point to the banks of Lagunitas Creek, near the junction of Olema Creek. Lagunitas Creek is the largest of the streams feeding Tomales Bay; it provides significant spawning habitat for endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout, although fish counts have dropped dramatically from historic levels. The creek is also habitat for the endangered California freshwater shrimp.
▪ Good birding among the willow thickets
▪ Coho salmon may be spotted during winter months
TOMALES BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE: Southern portion of Tomales Bay. Walk north from White House Pool parking lot along the levee to the reserve; there is fishing access from Shoreline Hwy. on the east side of the bay. Managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
▪ Waterfowl hunting and fishing requires a valid hunting or fishing license; call: 707-944-5500
▪ Land area is closed Mar. 1–June 30 to protect nesting birds
SHIELDS SALTMARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 3 mi. N. of Point Reyes Station. Overlook next to the bay; park in roadside pull-out. Area managed by Audubon Canyon Ranch; call: 415-663-8203.
Marin County
Tomales Bay West Shore
MARTINELLI PARK: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Inverness. Small bayfront park next to the Inverness Store; fine views of the water and forested ridge.
DANA MARSH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .25 mi. N. of Inverness. Half-hidden path to shoreline starts at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. next to a wood fence, 50 yards north of Woodhaven Road. Adjacent private property; do not trespass.
TOMALES BAY RESORT: 12938 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .3 mi. N. of Inverness. Waterfront hotel includes small marina and boat launch. Public access to the shoreline around the resort is planned. Call: 415-669-1389.
▪ Kayak rentals and tours at adjacent Blue Waters Kayaking; call: 415-669-2600
CHICKEN RANCH BEACH: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., .5 mi. N. of Inverness. Small sandy beach on Tomales Bay is reached via a footbridge over a creek. Limited roadside parking; chemical toilet is not wheelchair accessible.
INVERNESS RIDGE: W. of Tomales Bay. An undeveloped unit of Tomales Bay State Park is on the ridge above Inverness. Starting from the top of Perth Ave., there are hiking trails through the forest that connect to Mount Vision in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Check at the Heart’s Desire park headquarters for more information, or call: 415-669-1140.
SHELL BEACH: End of Camino del Mar, off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 1 mi. N. of Inverness. Sandy bay beach, part of Tomales Bay State Park. Quarter-mile-long trail leads downhill from the parking lot. From Shell Beach, the 4.3-mile-long Johnstone Trail leads north past Pebble Beach to Heart’s Desire Beach.
HEART’S DESIRE BEACH: Pierce Point Rd., 2 mi. N. of Inverness. Main facility of Tomales Bay State Park, with a sandy bay beach. Picnic tables and restrooms with running water are nearby. A separate larger picnic area including several group sites is on a bluff, a few hundred yards south of Heart’s Desire. Dogs on leash allowed in the blufftop picnic area but not on trails or at the beach. Call: 415-669-1140.
▪ Picnicking, clamming, and hand-carried boat launching
▪ Bay swimming
▪ Half-mile-long nature trail through bishop pine forest to Indian Beach, with replicas of Miwok houses
▪ Johnstone Trail leads south past secluded Pebble Beach to Shell Beach
Marin County
Tomales Point to Point Reyes Lighthouse
MARSHALL BEACH: L Ranch Rd., off Pierce Point Rd., 1.3 mi. N. of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. junction. Trail to bay beach, part of Point Reyes National Seashore.
PIERCE POINT RANCH: End of Pierce Point Rd., 7 mi. N. of Inverness. Historic ranch preserved by Point Reyes National Seashore. Three-mile-long trail leads to Tomales Point; striking views but no beach access.
▪ Tule elk at Tomales Point
MCCLURES BEACH: End of Pierce Point Rd., 9 mi. N. of Inverness. Steep half-mile-long trail to the beach. Strong waves; unsafe for swimming.
▪ Cormorants and common murres rest on sea stacks
▪ Black oystercatchers may be spotted on rocks
▪ Giant green anemones and ochre sea stars in tidepools
KEHOE BEACH: Trail off Pierce Point Rd., S. of McClures Beach. Shoulder parking. The trail to beach runs beside Kehoe Marsh; most of the trail is wheelchair accessible. Dogs may be prohibited during nesting season for western snowy plovers, from about mid-March to early September.
ABBOTTS LAGOON: Off Pierce Point Rd., 3.4 mi. N.W. of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. An easy 1.5-mile-long trail leads to the lagoon and to the beach beyond.
▪ Caspian terns may be seen in the summer
▪ Canoeing permitted in the lagoon
NORTH BEACH AND SOUTH BEACH: Off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Twelve-mile-long beach has rough surf; swimming is unsafe. Dogs on leash allowed; observe posted restrictions during snowy plover nesting season in spring and summer.
DRAKES ESTERO: Estero Trail off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 4 mi. W. of Inverness. A mile-long trail leads downhill from the Estero Trailhead to the water’s edge.
▪ Harbor seal breeding colony in Drakes Estero
POINT REYES LIGHTHOUSE: End of Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 15 mi. S.W. of Inverness. Visitor center open Thurs.–Mon., 10:00 AM–4:30 PM; 300-step stairway to the lighthouse. Parking is limited; during peak whale-watching months, a shuttle (fee) operates from Drakes Beach parking area, weekends and holidays only. Special parking and drop-off areas for visitors with limited mobility. For recorded lighthouse information, call: 415-464-5100.
▪ Popular place for sighting migrating gray whales, especially mid-January (southbound animals) and mid-March (northbound)
▪ California sea lions occupy offshore rocks
▪ Breeding colony of Steller sea lions in one of the coves
CHIMNEY ROCK TRAILHEAD: Off Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Pt. Reyes Headlands. Mile-long trail to the Chimney Rock overlook. A separate short path leads to an elephant seal viewing area; bring binoculars for good views.
DRAKES BEACH: Drakes Beach Rd., off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center has interpretive displays and ranger-led walks. Open daily except Wed. and Thurs. during summer months and open weekends and holidays all year, 10 AM–5 PM. For recorded information, call: 415-464-5100.
Marin County
Limantour Beach and Olema Valley
Point Reyes National Seashore
The National Seashore includes over 70,000 acres; a wide variety of recreational pursuits are possible. There is no car camping at Point Reyes National Seashore. Camping is permitted at four walk-in camps and at boat-in beaches on Tomales Bay, by reservation only. Camping permits are available at the visitor center daily; for camping reservations, call: 877-444-6777. Leashed dogs are allowed in the Point Reyes National Seashore only on South Limantour Beach, North and South Point Reyes Beaches, and Kehoe Beach; seasonal closures may apply. For National Seashore information, call: 415-464-5100.
ESTERO DE LIMANTOUR: End of Limantour Road. A state marine reserve; wildlife viewing is allowed, but regulations prohibit the take of all marine life.
▪ White pelicans and brant feed and rest in the estero
▪ Harbor seals haul out on shore
POINT REYES HOSTEL: Off Limantour Rd., 7 mi. from Bear Valley Road. Family rooms and bunkhouse space, wood stoves, full kitchen. Reservations recommended year round. Between 7:30–10:00 AM or 4:30–9:30 PM, call: 415-663-8811.
LIMANTOUR BEACH: End of Limantour Road. Wave action is generally calmer here than on the west-facing beaches of the Point Reyes Peninsula.
▪ Wheelchair-accessible trail runs along the lagoon southeast of the main access road
SCULPTURED BEACH: 6 mi. from Bear Valley via trail. Hike from the Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center or Limantour Beach. For recorded weather and tide conditions, call: 415-464-5100.
OLEMA: Hwy. One at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Historic village; tent and RV camping at Olema Ranch Campground, which has 187 sites, some with hookups. RVs up to 50 feet long accommodated; dump station available. Hot showers, general store and laundromat, play area and recreation hall, and mountain bike rentals. Call: 415-663-8106.
POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE VISITOR CENTER: Bear Valley Rd., .5 mi. N.W. of Olema. Exhibits about Point Reyes National Seashore attractions. Open weekdays, 9 AM–5 PM, and weekends and holidays, 8 AM–5 PM (closed Dec. 25).
▪ Wheelchair-accessible Earthquake Trail
▪ Coast Miwok Indian village
▪ Morgan horse farm
SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK: Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 5.2 mi. E. of Olema. Picnic areas, trails, family campsites, hike or bike campsites, and enroute campsites. Five group camping areas are available, two at Madrone and three primitive sites (one for equestrians) at Devil’s Gulch, located one mile north of the other camping areas. Streams in the park are closed to fishing and boating year round. For park information, call: 415-488-9897. For camping reservations, call: 1-800-444-7275.
FIVE BROOKS TRAILHEAD: Hwy. One, 3 mi. S. of Olema. Trails lead to beaches, the Coast Trail, and to walk-in campsites. For park and trail information, call: 415-464-5100 or 415-464-5137.
▪ Five Brooks Ranch offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides; call: 415-663-1570
Marin County
Bolinas
PALOMARIN TRAILHEAD: End of Mesa Rd., 5 mi. N.W. of Bolinas. Access to the southern end of the Point Reyes National Seashore. A network of trails leads along the bluffs and to lakes, beaches, and walk-in camps. The Coast Trail, part of the California Coastal Trail, leads north to Sculptured Beach.
▪ Alamere Falls, off the Coast Trail, cascades onto the sandy beach north of Double Point
POINT BLUE VISITOR CENTER: Mesa Rd., 4.5 mi. N.W. of Bolinas. Point Blue Conservation Science carries out research and education focused on protecting birds and wildlife. Visitors are welcome to view some of the research activities, including the bird-banding process in which birds are safely captured in a fine net, examined, and released. Banding takes place from May through Thanksgiving, Tues.–Sun., sunrise–noon, and during the remainder of the year on Wed., Sat., and Sun., sunrise–noon, weather permitting. Drop-in visitors in groups of ten or fewer are welcome to view the mist-netting process; to check conditions, call: 415-868-0655. A small visitor center contains displays of the observatory’s research projects; open 9 AM–5 PM.
▪ Self-guided nature trail leads through the small canyon of Arroyo Hondo
PATH TO SHORE: 451 Mesa Rd., N.W. of Bolinas. Trail leads from Mesa Rd. to the shoreline; part of Point Reyes National Seashore. Park at entrance to Commonweal; call: 415-464-5100. A second unimproved path to the shoreline is located near mile marker 2.68 on Mesa Road.
AGATE BEACH: End of Elm Rd., Bolinas. Small county park, with access to Duxbury Reef where marine resources are protected.
DUXBURY REEF: S.W. perimeter of Bolinas Mesa. California’s largest exposed shale reef. Park at Agate Beach. Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area regulations prohibit the take of all living marine resources except the recreational take of finfish from shore and the recreational take of abalone. Check with the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife for any changes; call: 707-875-4260.
▪ Tidepool viewing
BOLINAS OVERLOOK: End of Overlook Dr., Bolinas. Expansive views from a parking pull-out.
BOLINAS BEACH: Ends of Brighton and Wharf Aves., Bolinas. Turn off Hwy. One on Bolinas-Olema Rd. at the Y intersection north of Bolinas Lagoon. Access to Bolinas Beach is from two street ends, Brighton Ave. and Wharf Ave., both dead-end streets with limited parking. A small county park with picnic area, tennis courts, and restrooms is on Brighton Ave. near the beach. The mouth of Bolinas Lagoon, which is only a narrow channel at low tide, separates Bolinas Beach from the Seadrift sandspit.
Marin County
Stinson Beach
BOLINAS LAGOON NATURE PRESERVE: Along Hwy. One and Olema-Bolinas Road. A county-owned preserve with over 1,200 acres of sheltered water, salt marsh, and mudflat. Bolinas Lagoon is a major stopover point for migrating shorebirds and other waterfowl. Vistas of the lagoon from numerous pull-outs along Hwy. One. Call: 415-473-6387.
▪ Bob Stewart Trail off Olema-Bolinas Rd. is a short loop through an alder forest; dogs must be leashed
▪ Harbor seals haul out on the mudflats, often far out in the lagoon; bring binoculars
▪ Herons, egrets, and black-necked stilts are abundant
▪ Surf scoters, ruddy ducks, greater scaups, and pintails may be seen
AUDUBON CANYON RANCH: Hwy. One, 3 mi. N. of Stinson Beach. Audubon Canyon Ranch, a nonprofit organization, operates the Martin Griffin Preserve with a large nesting colony of great blue herons and great egrets. Facilities include an exhibit hall, nature bookshop, and picnic area adjacent to the 1875 home of Captain Peter Bourne. The preserve is open to the public during the nesting season, mid-March through mid-July, on weekends and holidays, 10 AM–4 PM. Visits to the preserve are self-guided. Blinds for viewing nesting birds, picnic tables, the display hall, and the bookstore are wheelchair accessible. No fee for entry; donations encouraged. Call: 415-868-9244.
▪ During nesting season fixed telescopes allow close-up views of activities of nesting birds
▪ Eight miles of hiking trails are open in the summer following the nesting season; call for information and hours
SEADRIFT BEACH: N.W. of Stinson Beach. Roads in the Seadrift subdivision are for residents only; the long curving beach is open to the public from the water’s edge inland to 60 feet from the private seawall. Enter from downcoast.
WALLA VISTA WALKWAY: Calle Del Arroyo, off Hwy. One. Pedestrian access from Calle del Arroyo, outside the Seadrift Subdivision gate, along the side of Walla Vista. Turn right to Seadrift Beach or left to Marin County–maintained Upton Beach. Limited shoulder parking on Calle del Arroyo. Dogs are allowed on leash on Upton Beach.
STINSON BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, N. of Panoramic Highway. Parking, picnic areas, and most of the beach are within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Vehicle entrance open daily, 9 AM–sunset; check current closing time upon entry. Lifeguards on duty at the beach from late May to mid-September. Volleyball equipment and a beach wheelchair can be borrowed from the main lifeguard tower. Call: 415-868-1922.
▪ Sunbathing
▪ Volleyball
▪ Surfing
RED ROCK BEACH: Hwy. One, 1 mi. S. of Stinson Beach. Unpaved parking lot at milepost 11.45; steep trail leads to a clothing-optional beach within Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Marin County
Muir Beach Area
