Hike Muir Beach to Tennessee Valley
7 Miles
1800 Feet
Hiking
Intermediate
Year Round
Out-and-Back
While most hikes make you work for the view, this 7-mile out-and-back boasts non-stop, killer views of the California coastline. With opportunities to hike down to crowd favorites such as Muir Beach and Tennessee Valley, and the chance to explore one of the coast's tiniest coves, this hike has it all.
Head out from the southwest side of the Muir Beach parking lot and catch the Coastal Trail. Keep an eye out for the tiny Pirate's Cove about 2 miles in, and scramble down to a secluded spot that's perfect for a break. From there, climb back up and continue down the wide dirt road. Then, take a right on Tennessee Valley Trail. Follow the trail 'til you reach the beach, and when you're ready, follow it back the way you came. This trail packs a punch with its 1,800-foot elevation gain, but follows the Marin bluffs for some truly epic views.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
Nearby Lodging
Enchanted Forest Cosmo Site
Occidental, California
Mystic Mountain Petrified Camp
Santa Rosa, California
Serene Redwood Retreat
Ben Lomond, California
Reviews
Overall rating:
Beautiful Hike!
I️ did this hike starting from the Muir Beach parking lot, going to Coastal Fire Trail, then Tennessee Valley, and then to the Coastal trail. I️ was trying to do about a 7 mike hike, but the directions I️ was following weren’t too clear about which trail to take (often times there were two different Tennessee valley trails.) But I️ followed the Tennessee valley trail (the one that was always going uphill) for about 2 miles. About 2.5 miles in we stopped to eat and had an INCREDIBLE coastal view. We hiked back on the Coastal trail and then went backdown the Coastal fire trail. I️t ended up being about 5 miles total. Such a fun and beautiful hike. We saw deer and fawns too!
Great Hike Close to SF
I typically do this hike in reverse starting at the parking lot for Tennessee Valley (from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Tennessee Valley parking lot is ~20 mins). As Liane mentioned, Pirate's Cove is a great stop off -- if you've got a little more time, throw some sandwiches in your pack and have lunch there.
You'll love who you are when you are in Marin!
Marin County is just a little out there. As in one famous bridge away from San Francisco. And right next door to the vineyards and Napa and Sonoma. Closer than you could ever imagine to everything that's unique in this clever corner of California. Take a vacation from the typical vacation.
