San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo, California, offers some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The Sorich Ranch Park trail is a top choice for hikers, with its scenic views of rolling hills and diverse wildlife. The trail isn't too challenging, making it suitable for most fitness levels. For a more challenging hike, the Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve offers steep inclines, rushing waterfalls, and towering redwoods. The San Anselmo Creek runs through both parks, offering opportunities for fishing and bird-watching. The Robson-Harrington Park is another must-visit, with its beautifully maintained gardens, historic buildings, and picnic areas. For outdoor adventures, try mountain biking in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed or paddleboarding on the Corte Madera Creek. These activities and attractions make San Anselmo a top destination for outdoor fun.
Top Spots in and near San Anselmo
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Bolinas, California
Point Reyes' Wildcat Camp via Coast Trail
5.011.19 mi / 1926 ft gainIn order to make this trip possible, go to recreation.gov and make a reservation for Wildcat Camp (available year-round). On your way to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to grab your camping permit. For more information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvis...Read more -
Bolinas, California
Bass Lake via Palomarin Trailhead
4.26.11 miFollow the Coast Trail from Palomarin Trailhead to Bass Lake. It's a fairly easy ~2.5-3 miles to the Lake. As soon as you pass the lake, on the left you will see a narrow unmarked dirt trail. Take this trail and you'll get to a nice clearing with easy lake access (this will be a great spot for lu...Read more -
Bolinas, California
Glen Camp Loop via the Palomarin Trailhead
4.715.72 mi / 3091 ft gainDay 1 Before heading to the trailhead, make sure to stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to pick up your permit. To stay overnight in Point Reyes, you must stay at one of the trail camps. Camping anywhere else in the park is not allowed. Permits for the trail camps can be booked up to 6 mo...Read more -
Bolinas, California
Backpack to Coast Camp in Point Reyes via Palomarin Trailhead
20.5 mi / 2705 ft gainSpanning from just north of the small town of Bolinas (about an hour north of San Francisco) across Inverness ridge and to the top of Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore is as stunning park featuring breathtaking ocean views and solitude among the grassy hillsides and forested ridges. Th...Read more -
Sausalito, California
Black Sands Beach
5.00.54 mi / 285 ft gainBlack Sand Beach is a beautiful, mile-long stretch of black sand just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. On a sunny day, it’s best to try and arrive in the morning, as the parking lot can fill up quickly. To get down to the beach, you’ll need to hike for about 5 minutes down 250 or so wooden steps....Read more -
Sausalito, California
Hawk Hill
5.00.76 mi / 144 ft gainIf you're leaving from SF, head over the bridge and exit onto Alexander Ave. Make the immediate left under the overpass and you'll be on the road to Hawk Hill. There's a parking area just below the gate leading up to Hawk Hill. From the parking lot you can walk west about ten yards along the outs...Read more -
Mill Valley, CaliforniaHeadlands Ride to Point Bonita Lighthouse
4.3The Headlands are a quick ride over the Golden Gate. On the ride, you'll see wildflowers, rugged coastline, and the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Once you cross the bridge, take Conzelman Rd up ~700 feet to Hawk Hill. From here, continue on to the lighthouse. On the return trip, head back on Conzelman...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Explore WWII Ruins on Point Bonita
4.30.25 mi / 200 ft gainAll throughout the Marin Headlands are WWII-era bunkers, batteries and ruins, including a complex on the hillside above the Point Bonita Lighthouse that provide amazing views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate, and the north coast.Drive out to the parking lot for the Point Bonita Lighthouse in the...Read more -
Sausalito, California
Vista Golden Gate
4.3The headlands offer great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, particularly at Vista Golden Gate. You can make the Vista Viewpoint your starting off point to leave your car or if you're riding, just stop in and enjoy the view. This spot allows you to capture views of the Golden Gate as well as Angel ...Read more -
Sausalito, California
Battery Spencer
4.00.47 mi / 46 ft gainThis is a very popular spot to hike up to from Conzelman Road. You can find parking in the lot or on the street and do the quick hike up to Battery Spencer. You can get a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge and SF from the Marin side of the Bay. This is a unique perspective as you also get the...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Kirby Cove
4.72 miThis scenic hike is a 1.8 mile out-and-back trail located near Sausalito, CA. From the trail and beach, you'll get scenic of the Golden Gate, San Francisco's skyline, and glimpses of the East Bay. The best news, there's rarely any crowd. Consider packing a blanket and a small picnic. With panora...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Camp at Kirby Cove
4.5Yes, you can camp just over the Golden Gate! Kirby Cove Campground has 4 overnight campsites and 1 picnic area for day use. The campground is set near a coarse-sand beach and offers amazing views of the Golden Gate, as long as it’s not a super foggy SF day. From the parking lot, it's a steep ~1 m...Read more -
Novato, California
Mount Burdell Open Space Loop
4.87 mi / 1234 ft gainStart at the wide gravel parking lot. You will find the start of the San Andreas Fire Road on the south side leading up the mountain. The San Andreas Fire Road heads up the southern slope before joining the Middle Burdell Fire Road and then very quickly the Deer Camp Fire Road. Keep your eyes p...Read more -
Richmond, California
Explore Point Pinole Shoreline
5.0Point Pinole Regional Shoreline is a 2,315-acre parkland that juts out into the San Pablo Bay. Only a brief car ride from San Francisco, this is a great spot for a Sunday stroll, picnic or simply to find a quiet space.There are several short trails to choose from that wind through eucalyptus grov...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaRide Paradise Loop
4.3Riding this loop has long been a popular option for San Franciscan riders looking to escape the busy city streets. This 38-mile ride with 1,600 feet of elevation, is suitable for all personalities of rider: the fast paced racer or the person just out to relax and cruise.A great place to start thi...Read more -
San Francisco, CaliforniaRun to Hopper's Hands
4.6Hundreds of people touch Hopper's Hands every day as a turn-around point on their runs in and around Crissy Field and The San Francisco Bay Trail. Running west through Crissy Field, passing the Warming Hut and pier, you follow Marine Drive until you dead end at Fort Point. If you continue through...Read more
