Heads up for anyone planning a pool day during this heat wave -- I called McNears Beach Park ahead…read moreof time and the pool is currently closed and won't be opening until June. Really appreciated that the park rangers answered right away and gave clear information -- it saved us a trip, especially with the limited parking in the area. Sharing in case it helps someone else plan their day.

A great family park, with a beach, pier to check out views or to fish from…read more Swimming pool. BBQ and picnic areas. Wildlife such as the turkeys I took pictures of. Deer, and many other furry friends. Great for walking or jogging. There's plenty of open space for the kids to run around and play. Parking is free. Many portable toilets.

Small and secluded beach, parking is tough along the street but when we came in the afternoon no…read moreone else was here. It's located near the prison which seems like an odd stop but they have a historical facade and a museum with prisoner-made artifacts and some memorabilia from Johnny Cash. It's in a cove and because not a lot of people come it's pretty clean, there is an interesting rock area on the left you can scramble on and check out tide pools. The rocks are beautifully worn and there aren't other places in the bay area that look like this. If it wasn't for these rocks the beach wouldn't be so nice but it adds some diversity to what you can do. Some other unique things are cactus growing right on the cliffs which is always strange to see near the ocean and if you come at the right season there are also ladybugs here. The beach is public access but there are homes along the cliff, one of which you can go directly under if you keep following the rocks so be respectful and quiet. We found some cool shells and rocks in the sand and the kids enjoyed our time here.

I love coming to this beach! It's an off-leash spot, so there are always plenty of dogs running…read morearound and having the best time. Every dog I've seen here has been super friendly and well-behaved, which makes the whole vibe really rewarding and fun. A lot of dogs get in the water, and sometimes people do too -- it's a great mix of energy whether you're here for a walk, to sunbathe, or just to hang out and enjoy the view. Parking is convenient -- there's one-hour complimentary parking at the top of the hill. From there, it's just a short walk down a few steps to get to the sand (though it's worth noting that it's not wheelchair accessible). The beach has two areas: to the left is the main stretch, and to the right there's another section you get to by a different set of stairs. That side isn't very big, but it's a really pleasant area if you want to relax in the sun or enjoy a quieter spot. Overall, such a fun and relaxing place to visit, especially if you love being around dogs enjoying the beach life as much as people do.

Nice beach with a hiking trails as well. It's a pretty clean beach, and when we were there some…read morepeople were walking around looking for trash to pick up, so it's nice that there seems to be locals looking out for the well-being of the environment. Free parking lot. Empty when I arrived in the morning, but no spaces by the afternoon. It is a pretty peaceful beach. It doesn't really have a tourist feel that some beach areas have since it's just the beach itself (no shops/food or anything like that). It's not a huge area, but we came during low tide and walked around the more rocky area before the tide started rising. They do have restrooms at the parking lot. Although, the restrooms were disgusting when I was there, so I'd avoid it if possible. (Not flushing toilets.)

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.

This is by far our favorite camp site. We booked 6 months out. There was 12 of us in our group so…read morewe reserved 2 camp sites next to each other. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people. It's $35/night + $8.25 reservation fee. 1 free parking per site and $5/day for each additional car. We had 8 tents set up and there was still room to put up more. There was so much space. I was afraid as we've never done a walk in camp site before but the parking lot was so close. There was plenty of garbage totters to help carry stuff to the camp site. We did it in just 1 trip. Bathrooms were ok. The toilet seats have seen better days. There are coin operated showers. $1 for 10 mins. The sign for firewood says sold between 4-6pm but when we arrived after 6pm we could still get some from the camp host. Bring cash. We appreciated the food storage cabinets as they were all in great condition. We did run into raccoons at 5:45 in the morning. Just had to make sure all the food was put away in the cabinets. Saw a cat and a family of deers too. There are some yellow jackets but also traps for them at each site. We didn't do any hikes this time but we went to China Camp beach. It's only 8 minutes drive from camp. The location of the camp site is great too. Just 15 minutes drive from the nearest Safeway and restaurants too. Yet far enough to be with nature. Note, even though there was lots of trees we were told that hammocks were not allowed.

A great place for hiking and mountain bike riding is just a few miles from our home and from many…read morein the Bay Area. China Camp State Park has a number of trails that we enjoy. These are primarily single track trails that take you through the oak woodlands. One of our favorites is the Shoreline Trail. It winds around the campground and then rides like a roller coaster as you follow the terrain of the hills beside the Bay. You'll often see black tail deer, grey squirrel, and if you're lucky - a flock of Turkey. If you're adventurous and have the energy, pedal (or hike) up to the ridge of . You can travel up either Powerline Trail or Oak Ridge Trail and the views at top are beautiful. In 2012, the State of California suspended funding for 70 state parks including China Camp State Park. Locals founded a. Non-profit called Friends of China Camp who keep the park maintained and in good shape. Be sure to purchase a Day Pass (or an annual pass like we have) to support the park and ensure it will be here for us to enjoy in the future.

I never knew of this place until I went to Target which is the most scenic Target I've ever been…read more The path is very smooth, with no inclination so it's good or even better for biking or running. It's about a mile to Jean & John Starkweather Shoreline Park and back which has a parking lot, bathrooms, and a little beach. This is worth it for the views of the bay and there is a creek on the right side for part of the way which has some birds, maybe a few pelicans. Many benches are on the path to sit and look out.

Gorgeous trail at the tip of San Rafael!…read more Hubs and I wanted to have a change of scenery and chose this park to explore. We ended up parking at a community center, walking through a strip of land surrounded by water and residential homes and ending up in Target, which was a great halfway point since I needed to use the bathroom. The walk itself along the water was beautiful and you can see the Richmond Bridge from a distance. There were several people walking, biking, hanging out along the trail which speaks to its popularity. The trail goes further than Target but we ended up turning back because our bellies were growling. We got some grub downtown- highly recommend the sandwiches and salads at Magnolia Park Kitchen!

I first visited Hippie Tree a few years ago, and I remember there were two swings. Parking is…read morepretty easy as just park on the street along the residential area. Today I visited this spot again, and I got to park much closer than the previous time as I passed the entrance to the trail to Hippie Tree last time. The trail to the Hippie Tree has a slight incline, but pretty short hike. This time, there was just one swing. The swing was also pretty high so it was a bit difficulty to get on. The two girls who were there were not able to climb on. Then I tried to climb on, and I was able to do it. :D I showed them that using one leg to hook on the seat and holding onto the ropes to pull yourself up while swing the other leg onto the swing worked for me. This spot is truly a hidden gem, and I just felt pure tranquility when I was swinging there. :) The view is amazing even though today it was a bit foggy over in SF area so couldn't see the city and bridge as much.

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.

Thanks to Yelp for suggesting this as a nearby place for a walk, as I had never been in the 12…read moreyears I have lived in Marin! We were having a lazy Sunday morning watching TV and decided we should get outside for some fresh air. We didn't feel like walking a lot since the weather was warm, so we happily found 2 Adirondack chairs in the shade at the park. The views of the Bay were gorgeous and it was the perfect spot to read our books. There was plenty of space for neighboring groups to spread out, so we liked the chill, non touristy, and quiet environment. We are already planning to picnic there with a friend and her little one.

This is a really cool local park kind of out-of-the-way so there's not a lot of people there quiet…read morewith great views of the bay large open fields to run around barbecue and picnic tables, bathrooms, etc. plenty of parking. There is also a public fishing pier there which you do not need a fishing license to use. I have spent time at this park also anchored out in my boat in front of it coming to shore by kayak.

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.

It's a bit of a hidden gem! [Highway 1 North of Muir Beach CA]…read more The Muir Beach Overlook was a nice stop along Highway 1 but to get here is a long, narrow and winding road. Parking lot isn't very big (15-20 spaces, maybe?) and could easily get full. There are bathrooms, picnic benches, interpretive signs, staircase... and huh? bunkers?! Historically, yes, this area was used as an observation station during World War II. There are a total of four bunkers, coastal defense systems for fire control especially after Pearl Harbor switched everyone to high alert for possible attacks against San Francisco. We went down the staircase... a short path that led out to a viewpoint overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean about 400 feet below steep cliffs. Enjoy the views, there is no access to the shoreline below. Had we not known about this overlook we would've driven right by without noticing. It's kind of hidden. No road trip up Highway 1 would be complete without having a stop at this overlook. COST: FREE! Review #3851

Beautiful hidden gem needs more parking.Has a restroom and a Taco Bell which is convenient.read more

It is 100% a nude beach, with a bit of a hike down a slope. There is no facilities or fresh water…read moreaccess down there so plan ahead. I went alone and no one bothered me, families come there also. Overall, really great experience, I had the beach to myself for a while. It's enjoyable, even on a foggy day

A post on NextDoor.com caught my attention. Someone had just moved to the neighborhood and was…read moreasking how they could hike without paying the $8 parking fee they'd noticed in some areas. The deluge of responses made it clear: if you're paying to park in Marin County, you're doing something wrong. With only a single exception in memory, I don't think I've paid to hike anywhere in the county and these days all I do is hike. But, if you want to hike the grounds of the Mount Tam Watershed it is true that there's a $8 cost to that. You can get around this by purchasing an annual parking pass or checking a pass out from the Marin County Library system. Bon Tempe Lake is my favorite hike within this area of the Mt. Tam Watershed. With an easy to follow, well-trod, 4.8 mile path around the lake's perimeter, and situated only minutes from downtown Fairfax, Bon Tempe is a quintessential Marin experience. You're in nature, beside a gorgeous, placidly serene lake yet only 10 minutes from a good brunch or latte. There's nothing difficult about the hike around the lake and though it isn't flat, it's elevations are quite gentle. If you need more, add a loop around Lake Lagunitas (the two paths intersect) to increase your hike by another 1.2 miles. Fishing is allowed here (but no swimming) and the parking area - for Bon Tempe in particular - fills up early on weekends. All the more reason to make time for Bon Tempe on a weekday. There's lots of hiking options here in the Watershed but for my money, the half-shaded-half-sunny path around Bon Tempe is the loveliest of them all.

This is actually just one of several reservoirs that make up the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. There…read moreare also creeks and a dam that add to the features. One of the main roads to get up there is just above the town of Fairfax in Marin County. It is a windy road but short, like 10 minutes or so. There are also a lot of bikers who like this area, so watch out on those narrow roads. Once you get closer to the park, the pavement stops and you will have to drive on large gravel for quite a bit, so don't be bringing your high end luxury car here. Lol Once there, an $8 parking fee through a kiosk awaits. I did a 6 mile loop starting at the dam and starting on Alpine lake. Easy start for the first mile or so, with most of it being lakeside. Then the middle 3 miles goes deeper into the forest cover and is more strenous, a constant climb that will speed up the heart rate. Love doing this amongst forest air. Deep in city confines...not so much. The descend will bring you back to where Alpine Lake and Bon Tempe Lake meets, by the dam. The top of hike is exposed and rocky but still gorgeous. Actually reminded me a bit of Tahoe with rocky trails and exposed blue skies. There will be a view of the lower elevations of Southern Marin County. There will also be many glimpses of neighboring Mt. Tam. And after that great morning workout, I was able to have a nice relaxing outdoor meal at one of the many charming independent restaurants in Fairfax, just 10 minutes down the road. Great way to start my stay-cation.