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Marin County, California

Marin County, California, has some of the best outdoor activities and attractions in the region. Explore the top trails, must-visit scenic spots in and near the area. Enjoy outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and camping. Visit popular attractions like Muir Woods National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais State Park. With so much to discover, Marin County is the perfect destination for adventure seekers.

Top Spots in and near Marin County

  • Walnut Creek, California

    Run the Mt. Diablo Foothill Loop

    5.0
    6.2 mi / 875 ft gain
    Continue by car down Castle Rock Road until it dead ends at the beginning of the trail. Parking is usually easy to find. If full, there is another overflow lot about 500 ft back the way you came in.You'll walk a good half mile down the trail before getting the main gate. As you're walking, you'll...
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  • Castro Valley, California

    Lake Chabot Regional Park Loop

    4.0
    8.65 mi / 1263 ft gain
    Looking for a fun day on a lake, but don't want to drive too far? We recommend heading out to the East Bay where you can combine a nice hike with an afternoon of fishing. This moderately challenging hike remains scenic throughout the 8.5 mile trek around the lake, and offers many opportunities fo...
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  • Vacaville, California

    Bike the Cantelow Climb

    5.0
    19.68 mi / 1119 ft gain
    Begin your ride from Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville, California. There is a parking lot here if you drive to the start of your ride (the park entrance fee is $3 per vehicle per day). Head out of the parking lot and turn right onto Rivera Road where you'll cross over Hwy 80. The road becomes Cher...
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  • Vacaville, California

    Bike the Lake Berryessa Loop

    55.82 mi / 1007 ft gain
    Begin your ride in Vacaville, California out of Alamo Creek Park (street parking is available and free). Head north on Alamo Drive and veer left onto Foothill Drive, then left (South) onto Pleasants Valley Road. After two miles, veer left onto Cherry Glen Road. Stay to the right when you reach th...
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  • Jenner, California

    Bolete Mushroom Hunting

    Salt Point State Park is a state park in Sonoma County, California, United States. The park covers 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) on the coast of Northern California, with 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails and over 6 miles (9.7 km) of a rough rocky coast line including Salt Point which protrudes into the...
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  • Jenner, California

    Hike the Central Trail

    3.6 mi / 800 ft gain
    Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The Central Trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including a unique highland Prairie where elk graze and are ...
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  • Foster City, California

    Paddle the Foster City Lagoon

    The Foster City Lagoon is one of the most calm waters to paddle on.  This is a great spot for beginners to learn how to paddleboard for the first time. The lagoon gets very still and makes it the perfect spot for reflection photos.  On sunny days, there are many kayakers, SUP, small boats, and ev...
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  • Jenner, California

    Camp and Dive at Salt Point State Park

    4.7
    Camping at Salt Point Sate Park is a dream. You have your choice of camping by the sea at Gerstle Cove campground, or tucked up into the forest at the Woodside campground…and you can’t go wrong with either choice.The rugged and beautiful coastline here is a popular destination for abalone diving ...
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  • Jenner, California

    Abalone Diving at Salt Point State Park

    5.0
    Jenner is a great spot to head out in calm water with your abalone gear. The dives will be in depths of 10 to 15 ft. of water, with visibility usually in the 5-20 ft. range. Spend a little time doing your homework before entering the water and you'll be able to find easier entry areas.When you he...
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  • Belmont, California

    Hike San Mateo's Sugarloaf Mountain

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    Sugarloaf is tucked away in Laurelwood Park which is located in a residential neighborhood right off of Hwy 92 in San Mateo, making this a great hiking & trail running option for Peninsula residents.I always park on Glendora Dr. and follow the paved path down towards the playground. At the bo...
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  • Jenner, California

    Hike the Salt Point Trail

    3.7
    3 mi / 100 ft gain
    There are numerous points at which you can enter the trail from Highway 1, but on the north it begins as the Salt Point / Stump Beach Parking area and proceeds 1.2 miles to the Visitor Center (and south entrance) at the Gerstle Cove State Marine area, one of the first underwater state parks in Ca...
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  • Half Moon Bay, California

    Goat Yoga at Lemos Farm

    5.0
    This is a great way to destress and have fun!  Goat yoga is like normal yoga, but with goats.  Goats tend to like higher ground and flat surfaces.  So, when you are in table top position, they are highly likely to jump onto your back!  These goats are still young, and so do not weigh as much as f...
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  • Jenner, California

    Hike the North Trail to the Pygmy Forest

    4 mi / 800 ft gain
    Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The North trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including the unique Pygmy Forest, named for the stunted trees...
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  • Half Moon Bay, California

    Camp at Francis Beach Campground

    4.0
    If you love to log as much water time as possible, this little gem is the campsite for you. Half Moon Bay State Beach is actually four smaller beaches, with a total of two miles of sandy shore, but you'll be camping right at Kelly Ave., one of Half Moon Bay's most consistent surf spots. Keep in m...
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  • Half Moon Bay, California

    Hike Along the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail

    4.6
    5 mi / 104 ft gain
    Start at the visitor center along Kelly Avenue. Take note that the day parking fee is $10 in 2016 for each vehicle. You will then be able to enjoy both the Coastside Trail and Francis Beach (plus other beaches) with access to the amenities such as coin-operated showers and a semi-private beach.Th...
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  • Clayton, California

    Hike Mt. Diablo

    4.4
    13 mi / 3323 ft gain
    Mt. Diablo has some of the most expansive views in California, despite it's relatively low peak elevation. It played a large role in the surveying the Bay Area during its early discovery. Getting There: To get to the staging area, take Interstate 80 to I-680 to Highway 4. Exit at Railroad Bouleva...
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