nice place to go with the family and fish and have a good time to enjoy the weekend theres plenty…read moreof places to fish of the shore off the pier and palm trees for shade

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.

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.

Curiosity led me to Che k-out this charming, isolated beach that attracts family's w/dogs but not…read moreterribly family friendly if that's of interest. I do recommend checking this spot out but be aware parking is very limited. It's a residential community w/this tiny cute beach playground.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Beautiful overlook of the water and rocky landscape. It was really windy when we visited, so we…read moredidn't stay long, but it was absolutely worth the drive. The coastal views are stunning, and the scenic drive getting here makes the whole experience even better.

We stopped by Good Earth Natural Foods Market for to go from the hot deli first, picked up some…read morefresh baguette, cheese, and hot sandwich before picking a spot at Muir Beach outlooks for light hiking and picnic. There is plenty of parking and the scenery is simply beautiful. California coast at its best.

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

Great beach! Please note that this is a NUDE beach. (If you're not down with that, I'd recommend…read moregoing to Stinson Beach) People are super friendly though, and I felt comfortable even though I went by myself. I didn't feel self conscious after striping down as everyone else was naked or partially naked. It is a bit of a hike to get from the small parking lots on the sides of Highway 1 down to the beach.

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.

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.