01
Best easy local loop
Roy's Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Between Lagunitas And Nicasio • Quiet Redwood Grove And Meadow Preserve • Laid-Back Close-To-Town Escape
A peaceful network of short trails weaving through towering redwoods just minutes from downtown Lagunitas-Forest Knolls.
Roy's Redwoods is where locals go when they want big-tree magic without a long drive or crowds. A few short loops wander beneath second-growth redwoods, open into grassy meadows, and offer kid-friendly grades with plenty of shade. It’s an ideal spot for after-work walks, foggy-morning wanders, or introducing visitors to West Marin’s redwood side without committing to an all-day trek.
02
Best ridgeline views
Bolinas Ridge Trail
Along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard West Of Town • High Ridge Fire Road And Singletrack • Best For Big-Sky Vistas
A rolling ridge walk with sweeping views over Olema Valley, Bolinas Lagoon, and the distant Pacific on clear days.
From the trailheads off Sir Francis Drake, Bolinas Ridge climbs gently, then undulates along open hills and pockets of forest with far-reaching views. The surface is mostly wide and firm, making it popular with hikers, runners, and gravel riders, but you can easily walk a short out-and-back for a quieter experience. Go on a clear afternoon for golden hills and ocean light, or on a foggy morning for moody, wind-swept solitude.
03
Best waterfall trail
Cataract Falls Trail, Mount Tamalpais Watershed
Above Alpine Lake On Mount Tamalpais • Steep Creek Canyon Waterfall Hike • Best For Cool, Shady Climbs
A stair-stepped climb along a mossy creek, passing a string of small falls that feel especially lush after winter rains.
Starting near Alpine Lake, the Cataract Falls Trail immediately pulls you into a shaded ravine of ferns, moss, and constant water sounds. The route is steep and stair-heavy but relatively short, making it a rewarding workout with plenty of natural stopping points at individual cascades. Go midweek if you can, bring good shoes for slick rocks, and expect cooler temperatures than down in the valley.
04
Most dramatic coastal outing
Alamere Falls via Coast Trail from Palomarin
Southern Point Reyes National Seashore • Coastal Bluff And Lakeside Trail • Best For Full-Day Adventures
A long but varied coastal hike past lakes and cliffs to an oceanfront waterfall, with classic Point Reyes scenery the whole way.
From the Palomarin trailhead, the Coast Trail winds past ponds, brushy headlands, and cliffy ocean views that feel far wilder than the drive in suggests. It’s a longer outing with exposed stretches and some rougher tread, so plan for time, water, and changing weather. Check park guidance about beach access near the falls and treat this as an all-day excursion rather than a casual stroll.
05
Classic Mount Tam loop
Matt Davis–Steep Ravine Loop, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Between Stinson Beach And Mount Tam Summit • Mixed Forest, Ladder Bridges, And Ocean-View Singletrack • Best For Varied Terrain And Scenery
A beloved loop that combines foggy redwood ravines, wooden ladders, and wide-open coastal views in one big day out.
Linking the Matt Davis and Steep Ravine trails gives you a taste of nearly everything Mount Tam offers: breezy coastal bluffs, tight switchbacks through chaparral, and a lush ravine laced with bridges and short ladders. It’s a solid workout with real elevation change, but there are plenty of spots to pause and soak in views over Stinson Beach and the Pacific. Start early for easier parking and to enjoy the transition from cool morning fog to sunny ridgeline vistas.