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COUNTY PARKS
McInnis Park: Located near Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael, this 441 acre park offers golfing, tennis, soccer and softball fields. It also includes picnic areas, canoe launch and nature trails.
McNear's Beach Park: Located on the shores of San Pablo Bay, not far from China Camp, this popular family park offers picnic tables, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a sandy beach and a fishing pier. Excellent for family outings, picnics, birthday parties.
Paradise Beach Park: A very  popular park on Paradise Drive bordering San Francisco Bay with great views, a sandy bay and picnic sites for families and group activities.
Stafford Lake Park: This lush 139-acre park is located on the shores of Novato's Stafford Lake with fishing, nature trails, picnic tables, BBQ facilities, a softball field, volleyball and horseshoe courts. It is also now home to the annual Renaissance Fair.
NATIONAL PARKS
Point Reyes National Seashore: A splendid 65,000-acre wilderness featuring hiking, whale watching, beach combing, picnic areas, biking and kayaking. Places of interest include Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes Lighthouse, Point Reyes Bird Observatory.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Marin Headlands features tremendous views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, secluded beaches, windswept bluffs, horse trails and sunset tours to the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Recent developments include an updated facility at Marine Mammal Center and recreation/educational facilities for children.
Muir Woods National Monument: Dramatic, ancient redwood trees and the  forest floor draw thousands of visitors annually to this peaceful valley tucked at the base of Mt. Tamalpais on the road from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. Six miles of hiking trails through magnificent Sequoia groves (the only surviving primordial redwoods , ferns, wildflowers, and silence.
Stinson Beach National Park: Stinson is the best-known beach in the county. It is ideal for hang-gliding, sunbathing and people do swim off the coast although the water is quite cold. Lifeguards are on the beaches during summer months. Excellent restaurants nearby and some of Marin's finest homes line the beach.
STATE PARKS
Angel Island State Park: This hilly, forest-covered island is the largest in San Francisco Bay and affords spectacular views of Marin, San Francisco and the Golden Gate. Excellent for day-trips that include hiking, biking, sailing or kayaking. Field trips are available that cover the dramatic history of this island. There is some over-night camping (reservations required) and the island is reachable by ferryboats from San Francisco and Tiburon.
China Camp State Park: This eight-mile-long jewel lines the bay with hiking and biking trails, swimming, boating, fishing, picnic areas, a sandy beach, and exhibits telling the story of the Chinese who settled there in the 1880s. Shards of pottery can still be found in the sand along the shoreline. A favorite spot of painters and an occasional stop for ocean kayakers.
Mt. Tamalpais State Park: This landmark  mountain reaching 2,517 feet is famous for its dramatic views over the bay and its well-maintained and reasonably well-marked 50 miles of hiking and biking trails (Mt. Tam is THE home of mountain biking). Year-round campgrounds (reservations required), site of the wonderful annual Mountain Play (held in an outdoor amphitheater), and the world-renowned Dipsea Run which starts in Mill Valley and goes over the mountain to Stinson Beach.
Olompali State Historic Park: Olompali features three miles of hiking trails, a picnic area, and is home to a large reconstructed Miwok Village, including the ruins of an old mansion and its formal gardens.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park: This beautiful park is half-way between Fairfax and Pt. Reyes Station. 12 miles of excellent hiking trails wind through redwood groves and along a meandering stream with dozens of swimming holes and sunbathing area. It also offers picnic areas and overnight camping sites.
Tomales Bay State Park:  Picnic, camp, bike or hike near brush that is home to foxes, raccoons, badgers, weasels, chipmunks, rabbit, deer, bobcats, skunks and many birds, including rare spotted owls. Or kayak through the usually calm bay waters, which are home to jellyfish, crabs and rays (who are sufficiently curious to swim under your kayak and peer up at you!). |
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