Muir Beach feels like the California people imagine, but quieter and more honest…read more Instead of a crowded boardwalk or lines of shops, you come down a winding road through coastal hills and suddenly the land just opens up. The ocean isn't bright blue like postcards, it's deep gray-green, powerful, and constantly moving. The waves don't gently roll in... they crash. You feel it in your chest before you even step on the sand. The sand is darker and softer than most beaches, almost cool even in the sun. Behind you are tall grasses and weathered driftwood, not hotels. In front of you is nothing but horizon. There's a small creek cutting through the beach and a wooden bridge crossing it, which somehow makes the whole place feel more like a nature preserve than a tourist stop. People aren't blasting music or playing volleyball, they're walking, breathing, taking pictures, or just sitting quietly watching the water. If you want a loud beach day, this isn't it. If you want to slow down and actually feel the ocean, this is one of the most peaceful places near San Francisco.

On our quest to visit all the nice places in California, Muir Beach is one of them. After visiting…read morethe Muir Woods National Monuments, we took a drive to see the Muir Beach near by. The parking lot is huge but quite crowded, we found a parking spot and walked to the beach. The beach is long and quite beautiful with all the rocks. The sands are not white as Cancun, but quite smooth. Walking from one end to the other is quite a hike. The winds is cold and the water is not warm either, but people still swimming. There are places for BBQ and picnic which are nice. The beach is so huge that finding a spot to sit or having lunch is not hard. We took many nice pictures and hike to the top of the beach. It's a nice place for a weekend. Plenty of restaurants near by in case we need to have lunch or dinner. If you hike in the Muir Woods National Monuments, you must try this beach.

Beautiful spot along the coast. There is a short walk on a path to the lookout point. It's…read moreconnected to a couple of trails you can walk along. There is a bathroom that has no sink or water. The parking lot has a good amount of spaces. Note that this is federal and the parking lot is closed during shutdowns. You can park nearby and walk in there is no entrance or fee. If you are in the area and driving by I recommend stopping by for a few minutes.

Fun scenic overlook spot! It was a quick and easy trail and cool spot to take in all of the views…read moreand take pics. There's maybe about 15-20 parking spots so do come early to snag a spot--parking is free though and there is an outhouse bathroom.

Beautiful trail. Will always be a favorite of mine. No matter how much time passes between each…read morepass, i always can find my way around the nooks & crannies.

I finally made it to this trail! I used to live & work in Mill Valley (years ago) & never made it…read moreto this hike. We started at the beautiful Old Mill Park (where I used to take my niece & nephew when they were little). As mentioned in other reviews there are lots & lots of steps! Great cardio & leg strengthening. The views are so worth it and the trip back was super quick bring all downhill. Many other options of hiking trails to take from here which I like.

Definitely a hidden gem in Tiburon! The entrance is at the end of a residential area. There are a…read morefew spots to park on the side of the streets. It's a bit of an uphill walk towards the tree but once you get up there, it's to your left. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was empty so we got to enjoy the views and swings to ourselves. Check the weather prior before going because it can be cloudy and the view won't be as great.

A hidden spot that has an amazing view and 3 swings. Street parking is very limited. To the left of…read morethe house at 100 Gilmartin, follow the dirt path and make a left up the hill.

Kirby cove is a must-visit, easy hike just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Park at the Battery Ridge…read morearea in Marin. then you can hike out too the Battery Spencer viewpoint, then over to the Golden Gate bridge; there is an underpass so that you can reach the East viewpoint. Then you can hike down to Kirby Beach. Go during the week, and try to arrive before noon for good parking.

Kirby Cove is one of those hidden gems that feels like a true escape even though it's right next to…read morethe Golden Gate Bridge. The views are absolutely stunning--especially at sunset--and the beach feels peaceful and uncrowded compared to most spots in the city. The walk down is manageable but be ready for a bit of a climb on the way back up. If you're looking for a scenic, low-key place to relax or take photos, this is hard to beat.

Beautiful stretch of beach and convenient to the center of "town" where you can gather…read morerefreshments, beer, wine, or stop for food. Note, visited during the federal shutdown and the lot was closed. Locals informed me it would NOT be opened for so long as the government shutdown is ongoing. Made for a rather quiet and pleasant day at the beach.

This beach has been on my bucket list for "25"/"26" I finally made it & it ws gorgeous. The views…read morewere amazing as I drove along the windy roads to reach this destination. I passed all the shops, storefronts and rental places on my way. I was so excited once I arrived I couldn't help but take a few photos. There's plenty of near by parking, accessible bathrooms, and BBQ pits for barbecuing. I'm so glad I decided to come this day.

Such a beautiful spot! Came here to walk along the beach and enjoy the view. My husband and pup and…read moreI loved our time here. Soooooo remote and peaceful feeling. I saw plenty of birds as well. Plenty of parking although it does get busy. Bring a jacket!

Lovely hike with my besties on a Saturday afternoon. There were quite a few surfers, walkers,…read morehikers and bikers out today. The windy was very gusty but as the afternoon progressed we enjoy lovely, sunny weather. There are two options, paved or dirt roads which was nice. The bikers were extremely polite and road sharing was not an issue. We greeted quite a few dogs that were on the trail with their families which is awesome (retired dog mom here). So many trail options, we plan to return.

A magical little place. When I came here as a kid, the sheer size of this little patch of bay felt…read moreimpossible. No charge for parking, ample first-come first-serve grills and tables, and no permit required fishing off the decades-old mainstay, Paradise Pier. Complete with the best view of the Richmond Bridge out there.

Beautiful park. We came here twice now, once for a baby shower. You can fish or relax on the lawn…read more There are chairs for you with some tables. Lots of picnic areas for gathering. There's a very small beach nearby but it's on the other side of the picnic grounds.

Small park close to mill valley restaurants and shopping businesses. There's a play structure for…read moreyounger kids and four swings. Seems to be a popular place for professional photo shoots because of the beautiful redwoods. There isn't dedicated parking and on street parking which can be challenging to find based on the time and day, since there's an elementary school and a church next to the park.

On our Mother's day weekend getaway we were in need of a few nearby places to walk to from our…read morevacation spot to walk off the food and get the kids energy out. This park is located near the heart of Mill Valley restaurants and had both a play structure and a super fun creek. The kids (and grandpa) took off their shoes and walked through the water before going up to play and swing. Perfect spot for our 2 and 4 year old to do some exploring and playing. We came back the next day and had water shoes and a few more toys for the area. This location also has a picnic spot in the middle of tall trees that feels like a forest escape only a short distance (like 100ft) from the sidewalk. Very neat place if you're in the area. Kept the kids busy for about an hour. Playground is OK, total experience was the 4-5 star.

I got my own paddleboard and come here almost every weekend. The only frustrating thing is there is…read moreonly 5 park spaces and the rest are permitted for yacht owners only.Its a good spot to unload your board and the French restaurant by the lot has great food and views. You can paddle with the seals here

I was shopping at a boutique across the street with my little kid cousins when they mentioned to…read morethe owner that I am taking them swimming. The lady mentioned I walk over to this beach because it's safer and kid friendly. Well, she sure was right about that. Don't try to drive and park here. There are signs all over warning cars that all parking is by permit only and there's just a tiny strip of public parking available that seems impossible to get. It's first come, first serve and likely no one leaves if they are planning to spend the day lounging at the beach. This beach is small. The water is flat and shallow but cold. I think it was also too crowded. Unless you are a member of the Harbor with a permit, then you will probably go through trouble to find parking. Not worth it in my opinion.