Experience the Best of Marin County’s Outdoors
Marin County is one of Northern California’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation, offering an extraordinary variety of parks, open spaces, beaches, and scenic landscapes. Nearly half of the county is permanently protected as parkland, watershed, or open space, providing residents with year-round opportunities to explore redwood forests, rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and panoramic bay views. Whether you’re an avid hiker, mountain biker, paddler, golfer, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, Marin County offers countless ways to experience its remarkable natural beauty.
From the iconic trails of Mount Tamalpais and the dramatic coastline of Point Reyes National Seashore to neighborhood parks and waterfront pathways, outdoor adventure is woven into everyday life throughout Marin County. The county’s mild climate allows residents to enjoy hiking, cycling, kayaking, sailing, wildlife viewing, and countless other recreational activities throughout the year.
Hiking
Marin County offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails ranging from leisurely waterfront walks to challenging mountain climbs. Popular destinations include Mount Tamalpais State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Tennessee Valley, Phoenix Lake, Ring Mountain, China Camp State Park, and numerous Marin County Open Space Preserves. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly nature walk or an all-day backcountry adventure, there’s a trail for every experience level.
Cycling & Mountain Biking
Widely recognized as the birthplace of modern mountain biking, Marin County is a world-renowned destination for cyclists of every skill level. Scenic road routes wind through coastal landscapes and rolling hills, while miles of off-road trails provide outstanding mountain biking opportunities. Dedicated bike paths, including the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway and Corte Madera Creek Pathway, also make cycling a popular form of recreation and transportation throughout the county.
Beaches & Coastal Recreation
Marin County’s Pacific coastline features some of California’s most spectacular beaches and coastal scenery. Residents and visitors enjoy destinations such as Stinson Beach, Rodeo Beach, Limantour Beach, Drakes Beach, and Muir Beach for swimming, surfing, beachcombing, picnicking, photography, and sunset walks. The dramatic cliffs and ocean vistas make the coastline one of the county’s greatest natural attractions.
Boating, Kayaking & Water Sports
Surrounded by San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and the Pacific Ocean, Marin County offers exceptional opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, boating, and fishing. Popular launch locations include Sausalito, Tiburon, Tomales Bay, and Richardson Bay, while local marinas and yacht clubs support an active boating community throughout the year.
Parks & Open Space
Marin County is home to an extensive network of county parks, state parks, national parklands, and open space preserves that protect thousands of acres of natural habitat. These public lands offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, and educational programs while preserving the area’s remarkable landscapes for future generations.
Wildlife & Nature Viewing
Outdoor enthusiasts can observe an incredible variety of wildlife throughout Marin County, including tule elk, harbor seals, elephant seals, gray whales, migratory birds, deer, foxes, and numerous native plant species. Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas Lagoon, Tomales Bay, and Marin’s many protected wetlands provide outstanding opportunities for birdwatching, wildlife photography, and nature observation.
| Activity | Featured Parks & Destinations | Helpful Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking & Nature Trails | Mount Tamalpais State Park Point Reyes National Seashore Tennessee Valley China Camp State Park Marin County Open Space Preserves |
Marin County Parks Point Reyes National Seashore Mount Tamalpais State Park |
| Cycling & Mountain Biking | Mount Tamalpais Camp Tamarancho China Camp State Park Stafford Lake Bike Park Mill Valley–Sausalito Pathway |
Marin County Bicycle Coalition Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Marin County Parks |
| Beaches & Coastal Recreation | Stinson Beach Rodeo Beach Limantour Beach Drakes Beach Muir Beach |
Golden Gate National Recreation Area Point Reyes National Seashore |
| Kayaking, Paddleboarding & Boating | Tomales Bay Richardson Bay Sausalito Waterfront Tiburon Waterfront |
Point Reyes National Seashore Golden Gate National Recreation Area |
| Camping | Samuel P. Taylor State Park Point Reyes National Seashore Mount Tamalpais State Park |
California State Parks National Park Service |
| Golf | Peacock Gap Golf Club StoneTree Golf Club Indian Valley Golf Club Marin Country Club |
Local golf club websites |
| Horseback Riding | Point Reyes National Seashore Tennessee Valley Mount Tamalpais Trail System |
Point Reyes National Seashore Marin County Parks |
| Wildlife & Bird Watching | Point Reyes National Seashore Bolinas Lagoon Tomales Bay China Camp State Park |
Point Reyes National Seashore Marin County Parks |
| Family Parks & Playgrounds | McNears Beach Park Stafford Lake Park Paradise Beach Park Piper Park Creek Park |
Marin County Parks |
