01
Best overall pick
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Panoramic Highway And East Peak • Expansive Redwood And Ridge Trail System • Top Choice For Classic Marin Hiking
The go-to mountain for everything from shaded redwood walks to big-view summit loops.
From trailheads like Pantoll and Rock Spring, you can stitch together favorites such as the Matt Davis, Steep Ravine, and Dipsea trails into half-day or full-day adventures. Forested gullies quickly give way to open slopes with wildflowers, coastal vistas, and long views over the Bay. Parking fills early on weekends, so locals tend to start before mid-morning or wait for the late-afternoon lull.
02
Most iconic redwood escape
Muir Woods National Monument
Canyon North Of Tamalpais-Homestead Valley • National Monument Old-Growth Redwood Grove • Best For Towering Trees And Easy Paths
A serene redwood cathedral with boardwalk loops and side trails that climb into Mount Tam.
The main canyon offers level boardwalk and packed-dirt paths that work well for mixed-ability groups, with towering old-growth redwoods overhead. If you want more of a workout, side trails like Fern Creek or Ben Johnson quickly leave the crowds behind and link up with the wider Mount Tam network. Reservations and earlier arrival times help make parking and access far smoother, especially in peak season.
03
Best coastal valley walk
Tennessee Valley Trail
West Marin Headlands • Gentle Valley And Coastal Bluff Trail • Laid-Back Outing For Families And Casual Hikers
A mostly gentle walk through a sheltered valley ending at a pocket beach framed by cliffs.
Starting from the Tennessee Valley trailhead, a wide path follows a creek out to a dramatic cove, with just enough rolling terrain to feel like a real hike without getting punishing. Short side paths head up to overlooks if you want extra views of the Pacific and surrounding headlands. It is a favorite for families, dog walkers (on leash where allowed), and anyone looking for a scenic couple of hours close to town.
04
Best big-view headlands hike
Marin Headlands Coastal Trails
Marin Headlands Near The Golden Gate • Rugged Coastal And Bunker-Lined Ridge Network • Top Pick For Sweeping Vistas And History
Rolling ridges and coastal trails with constant views of the Golden Gate, San Francisco, and the open ocean.
Looping routes like the Coastal, Miwok, and Rodeo trails weave past old military batteries, windswept bluffs, and grassy hillsides that light up at sunset. You can keep it short with a circuit above Rodeo Beach or stretch things out into a half-day tour linking multiple ridges. On clear days, the combination of skyline, bridge, and ocean views is hard to beat and feels surprisingly wild for being so close to the city.
05
Classic town-to-coast route
Dipsea Trail from Mill Valley
Downtown Mill Valley Trailhead • Steep Forested Trail With Stairs And Overlooks • Go-To Training Hike For Locals
A demanding stair-filled trail climbing from leafy streets into redwoods and out toward the coast.
The Dipsea launches from Old Mill Park and immediately tests your legs with long runs of wooden steps and steep wooded switchbacks. As you gain elevation, gaps in the trees open to views over Mill Valley, Mount Tam, and eventually the distant line of the Pacific. You can turn around at one of the signed junctions for a shorter, sweat-inducing workout or commit to the full, rugged route toward Stinson Beach.