01
Best overall pick
Marin Headlands Trail Loop from Rodeo Beach
Marin Headlands • Coastal Headlands Loop With Big Bridge Views • Iconic Coastal Circuit
A classic loop above Rodeo Beach that strings together bluffs, bunkers, and sweeping Golden Gate and Pacific vistas in one outing.
Starting at Rodeo Beach, you can link fire roads and singletrack for a customizable loop that feels both historic and wild. Expect steady climbs, exposed stretches, and constant payoff in the form of ocean views, old military batteries, and frequent hawk and coyote sightings. It’s the hike locals use to show visitors just how much scenery hides in the hills above Sausalito.
02
Best redwood escape
Muir Woods National Monument Trails
Mill Valley Backcountry • Old-Growth Redwood Canyon Networks • Shaded Retreat
A network of boardwalks and side trails winding through towering coast redwoods just a short drive over the hill from Sausalito.
If you want to trade coastal wind for cathedral-like calm, head over the ridge to Muir Woods and its soft, shaded paths. The main canyon paths are flat and accessible, while side trails like Canopy View or Ben Johnson add real elevation and thinner crowds. Go early or on a weekday if you can, and pair it with a stop in Mill Valley on the way back to the bay.
03
Best easy coastal hike
Tennessee Valley Trail to Tennessee Beach
Southern Marin Coast • Gentle Valley Walk To Pocket Beach • Best For Families
A mostly flat dirt path through grassy hills and wetlands that ends at a dramatic pocket beach framed by cliffs.
The Tennessee Valley Trail is the go-to choice when you want fresh air without a punishing climb. The wide path makes it easy for mixed-ability groups, and kids tend to love the wildlife in the marshes and the final reveal of the beach. For more ambitious hikers, side spurs up to Tennessee Valley Overlook or along the coastal trail add elevation and bigger ocean panoramas.
04
Best quick viewpoint hike
Slacker Ridge Trail
Above The Golden Gate • Short, Steep Ridge Climb • Quick Sunset Mission
A punchy climb from the Marin Headlands road up to a narrow ridge with knock-out views of the bridge, bay, and city skyline.
Slacker Ridge is what locals pick when they have an hour to spare and want maximum views for minimal driving. The trail wastes no time gaining height, but the payoff arrives fast as the bridge and San Francisco skyline fall into full view behind you. Go for golden hour or a clear post-storm afternoon when the light and visibility make the whole bay feel close enough to touch.
05
Best all-day adventure
Dipsea–Steep Ravine Loop on Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais Slopes • Big Coastal-And-Redwood Loop • Big-Mile Weekend Pick
A demanding loop that mixes open coastal views, lush ravines, wooden ladders, and classic Mount Tam switchbacks.
Starting near Stinson Beach, the Dipsea–Steep Ravine combo delivers just about every Marin landscape in one hike: ocean bluffs, fern-lined creeks, redwood groves, and high viewpoints back toward Sausalito and the city. The route is steep in places and includes narrow stairs and ladders, so it’s better suited to experienced hikers with solid footing. Come prepared for changeable weather and give yourself time to linger at overlooks along the way.