Recently camped at Bootjack again…read more Scroll down to my first review for most of the technical camping specs. Read THIS review to find out how you're camping wrong. Since I was so early in the season (mid April), when I got there, I was the only one there. Having Bootjack to yourself, or to yourself with a few other very quiet people, is a blessing. Creeks run in multiple directions through this campground, so there are several spots located right next to the water. In early spring, some even have creeks on both sides. It can be so incredibly peaceful here if you come at the right time. I've watched turkeys, deer, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and butterflies cross my site. The only issue I've ever had with Bootjack is that, especially as the weather gets warmer, highly inconsiderate locals come here to party, and not just on the weekends. Sometimes it feels like, no matter what my strategy is for picking the quietest spot, the worst camper there will also use the same strategy. Or maybe people think, "That's just a woman camping alone, so she won't care or be able to do anything if we completely wreck her experience." What I've been witnessing over the past few years is just an absolute breakdown of common courtesy and campground etiquette. Bootjack is just one of many campgrounds that have been affected. As a camp host myself, I've heard all of the arguments that people should be allowed to blast music, and all of the arguments are wrong. You are in a public space. Everyone else who paid to be there has a right to enjoy the environment they paid to enjoy. Disabled people with sensitivity to light and sound have a right to not be tortured by your antics. You have a right to play music and use bright lights FOR YOUR OWN USE ONLY. If other people can hear your music, it's too loud. It's 2025. You can get a fantastic pair of noise canceling ear buds on Amazon for $15, and be entirely enveloped in your terrible music without ruining the natural soundscape for everyone else. There's just no excuse. The argument that you should have a right to infringe on everyone else's enjoyment when you could very easily just use ear buds is just dumb. If other people's campsites are illuminated by your lights, you're being inconsiderate and rude. If you are looking around the campground with a head lamp on after dark, that's rude. How would you like having a bright light pointed at your face when you're trying to fall asleep? It's really not that hard to contain your lights to your own needs. As to string lights: congratulations on figuring out the best way to attract insects to your site! They love those! Also, your light pollution is ruining the Northern Lights for the rest of us. So what I'm saying is, if you're looking for a good night's sleep in between hikes while backpacking Mt. Tam, you might not be able to find that here, even though this campground was literally built for that purpose. But it's as beautiful as can be, and the access to hiking trails could not be more ideal. Pantoll is just a .4 mile hike away. I did have a super creepy experience on my last night here. I was the only one in the campground, and someone else set up a hammock on my site in the middle of the night (and abandoned it there before dawn). I had actually woken up to a headlamp, but convinced myself that no one would be outside my tent in the rain. Maybe they were from Appalachia and thought it was normal to set up on the same site. Let's hope it was that. Because otherwise... Lastly, don't forget to lock up your food. Raccoons are very active at night, and they will rip your tent open for a Cliff bar. I have a ripped rainfly to prove it. Also (adding this based on another experience at this campground I just remembered), raccoons aren't scared of light, so please don't be that camper that leaves food in your tent and then wakes everyone else up with your flashlight because you failed to follow the rules in the first place.

I didn't camp. But I parked. In the parking lot for this campground as a starting point for an…read moreincredible hike down to Muir Woods. Day parking is $8 here. Get here early!! This area becomes packed! The boot jack trail goes down, down, down, into the redwoods. Eventually you'll end up at Muir Woods monument that requires a reservation. It is cold down there among the redwoods!! The entire area is absolutely majestic. The canopy trail loops back up towards the parking lot and then across. What happens on this trail is outstanding as you toggle between chaparral and redwoods. Watch out for the roots and steel posts leftover on the canopy trail from previous trail markers. Excellent area to explore. Can't wait to go back for more.

I'm 76 years old and I have an airstream and a Dodge truck so I was a little intimidated about…read moregoing camping. Olema campground made it very friendly and safe for my adventure. The place is beautiful quiet and even though you're parked next to someone the trees make it it's secluded. The park manager and her staff are outstanding. I plan to go there at least once a quarter.

We had items stolen from our site while we were sleeping. The staff didn't care much and said we…read moresigned a waiver stating they aren't responsible. That same weekend the managers house onsite was also broken into and she went around to peoples sites asking if we knew the person. A little unsettling. There are animal droppings everywhere all over the sites which is gross. And they charge you $20 to dump! Won't be back

Absolutely breathtaking! Steep Ravine is a stunning area with charming cabins and designated spots…read morefor camping. I first heard about the Steep Ravine Cabins through an email from California State Parks. The reservation system works like a lottery--once your name is drawn, you'll get an email allowing you to try booking a cabin through their system. Fortunately, my name was selected late last year, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained the cabins were. They have a rustic charm...it was simple but thoughtfully equipped. Inside, you'll find a cozy fireplace, a table with benches, and four wooden sleeping platforms that comfortably fit up to five people. While I originally hoped to bring a group, it ended up being just my husband and me--a romantic and peaceful getaway. That said, it would also make a fantastic trip with friends or family. Keep in mind that no pets are allowed, and there's a strict maximum of five people per cabin. While I did see a few people bending those rules (bringing dogs or squeezing in more guests), it didn't take away from our experience. I understand the restrictions are there to protect the fragile ecosystem, and honestly, the whole place has an intimate and respectful connection with nature that's worth preserving. For those seeking a more rugged stay, there are also tent camping areas nearby. Thankfully, there are two modern restroom stalls near the parking lot, along with outhouses scattered throughout the area, but unfortunately, they did not have any showers. There's even a ranger cabin onsite, likely where State Parks staff stay. Parking is limited but sufficient for those with cabin or campsite reservations...just another way the area keeps things quiet and low-impact. It was a magical experience. I'm so grateful I got the opportunity to stay at Steep Ravine thanks to the California State Parks. I will say that if you ever get the chance--go. It's unforgettable.

Park is clean, staff is friendly, priced amazing for Marin... what more can you ask for!…read more Great RV park to stay for long term or even just the weekend!

Traveling from Oregon to Orange County, Ca. Decided to stay one night so didn't have to drive so…read moremuch.My bad as I booked, site unseen. Didn't think this place would be taken over by permanent residents who are rude and think they run the place. Bunch of drunks hanging out in the mini-market till late night. Spaces are tight, and not worth the price. So many beat up RV's and trailor which obviously people are living in. Should have stayed at a non long term Park as this one is something else. On the way back Stayed at the Petaluma KOA which was amazing.

My sister and I stayed at the Olema Cottages last week. We were very impressed with the cleanliness…read moreand the surroundings. The cottage has a kitchen with everything you would need to cook there.It's a beautiful and cozy cottage with a wonderful sculpture garden on the grounds. There are 3 cottages total. I highly recommend a stay at this beautiful place. It is very close to Drakes Bay, Tomales Bay State Park, and the quaint town of Olema. Pamela Whitmarsh

Hi, I meant to get this out earlier but I have been traveling. I stayed in Farmer's Parlor for my…read morebirthday in September and it was beautiful!! Kelly made up a warm welcoming chalk board for me wishing me Happy Birthday. Great room with incredible views of 2 great horses in the pasture directly across. Zollie and Rosa are beautiful and are very much cared for by the gentleman that owns many acres of land not attached to the cottage property. Zollie is the larger horse with a reddish mane and white hooves and Rosa is the darker chestnut with a black mane and tail. The room is amazing! Beautiful tiled floors with a Persian throw rug. The sleigh bed is incredibly comfortable with Egyptian Cotton sheets to die for. There is an amazing sun room attached with a back door and windows. I saw deer early in the morning on the property next door outside of the horse pasture. The front gardens of the property are well appointed with amazing sculptures, beautiful flowers that attract many hummingbirds and birds of all kinds. It is like a step back in time of wonderful powerful energy of nature and peace. A much needed therapy these days! I planned it so that I was there for the full moon in Virgo as well as my Virgo birthday! I have included that moon in my pictures here. It was gorgeous! There is a special black cat that is very friendly and since I am a major animal whisperer (everyone says it) this cat took to me instantly. The animals are not allowed in the cottages but he was polite and sat on my outside chair and slept and always visited me first thing in the morning. I encouraged it so if you are not in to cats or the one dog then just go on your way and they will leave you alone. There is a TV in the room but no cable, which is fine. There is a cute outdoor library of over 300 movies to choose from for your room. There is strong WiFi so I could watch Netflix on my computer if I wanted to. There is a mini fridge and wonderfully appointed glassware, bowls, a cutting board, and it works well for me since I went 5 minutes in to town and bought some salads, sandwiches, and great croissants at Bovine Bakery. It is expensive to eat every meal out so it is nice to be able to mix it up with both. All necessary stores, one gas station, Wells Fargo Bank, are all in town just minutes away by car. I will definitely return. Thank you Kelly for all that you did to make my birthday perfect!! :-)

One of the better stocked visitors centers I've visited, and with such friendly ranger service!…read more Lots of interactive displays that the kids enjoyed. We ran our visit by a ranger and got feedback and a set of Junior Ranger books. We returned around 4:45pm and the kids turned in their Junior Ranger books. We also got a special 250 year stamp! In terms of swag, they've got plenty of clothing including shirts, long sleeves, sweaters, goodies, and beanies. Point Reyes was cold, even in July! They also have brochures, books, Junior Ranger gear, plushies, binoculars, stamps, stickers, pins, tokens... so much. And a good selection of first aid supplies. Cancellation stamps are right at the entrance. Clean bathrooms on the outside. Plenty of parking.

4.5 stars Bear…read moreValley visitor's center is a really nice and well-maintained visitor's center. Inside, there's a little museum explaining the wildlife found in the area. There's a gift shop area with books for all ages and small selection of souvenirs. The restrooms are also pretty clean. There's free parking on site and additional parking and restrooms across from the visitor's center. There's also plenty of space for picnics. Idk what the rules are, but I did see horses and horse riders, so I think there's a horse trail nearby?? Would recommend the stop for maps, souvenirs, restroom breaks, and/or picnics.

I've cycled a lot around Point Reyes and taken many one-day road trips, but I've never really…read moreexplored the area extensively due to a lack of time. That recently changed thanks to the recent overnight accommodations provided by the Black Heron Inn. Located in Point Reyes Station, about a 5-minute drive from downtown, it's the perfect place to stay when exploring Point Reyes. I had done quite a bit of research on accommodations in the area, but the options seemed to either be way too expensive or way too "patchouli" for my taste. The Black Heron Inn was the perfect fit for me and my wife. They have three guest rooms, and due to the lack of availability of the other rooms, I selected the Grand View Suite. And what a "Grand View" it was. My strong suggestion is not to plan too much during the late afternoon because you'll want to open a bottle of wine and enjoy the view from the outdoor deck or the dining room table before heading off to dinner for some oysters. The clean and well appointed rooms have a small refrigerator, a small microwave, and a toaster as well as dishes and silverware, so make sure to bring some ready to eat food with you to store in the room since food is not provided. We personally picked up some breakfast savories and sweets from Brickmaiden Breads, and our mornings were set. Coffee is provided along with a Cuisinart Coffee maker. If you don't like your coffee black or enjoy creamers, be sure to pack some milk for the fridge. The proprietors are pretty hands-off when it comes to guest interaction (which is just fine), but they are very responsive if necessary. One thing I did learn while talking to them briefly was that they have a lot of repeat customers. Based on our recent stay, I can see why!

We recently stayed in the Grand View Suite and sent an email to the innkeepers at…read morestay@blackheroninn.com to provide some feedback. The email bounced because the mailbox was full, so we're posting the email we sent to Yelp. Overall, we enjoyed our stay. Positives: * Quiet and peaceful. * Very nice view. * Useful kitchenette items: plates, cutlery, microwave, coffee maker (with Peet's coffee!), etc. Improvement suggestions: * The windows need washing, especially in the dining area. The view is one of the main attractions of your property, and it's a shame (and disappointing) to look through dirty windows. * There are cobwebs in areas in the room (example: next to the book case in the dining area), and outside on the deck and deck chairs. In fact, the Adirondack chairs on the deck were so dirty we didn't want to sit on them. * The room lighting is a mish-mash of incandescent, CFL, and LED, with different color temperatures. Suggest redoing the lighting with LED lights in the 3000 (warm light) color temperature. Also, the low-voltage puck lights in the soffit above the kitchen counter don't work. At least, we couldn't find a switch to turn them on. Fixing this would brighten up the kitchenette. * The handle on the right-side loft window is incapable of opening the window. (There's a small set screw meant to secure the handle to the window winding mechanism's shaft, and the screw is loose so the handle just spins on the shaft so the window doesn't open.) * The cushioning in the two table chairs in the dining area and the two reclining chairs in the living area is worn and compressed, so the cushioning is marginal. The chairs need to be reupholstered or replaced; they're basically worn out. Making these improvements would elevate the room from just okay to very good and make the relatively high room rate more reasonable.

For check in they leave your keys in the room with the door unlocked! The room was colder inside…read morethan it was outside. The room itself it gross and dirty..... hair everywhere from past guest, dead bugs everywhere, dirt in mini fridge/ freezer (even in the ice tray). I picked off huge food chunks from the containers and tables. All the outlets on the walls are loose and falling off the walls, you can't plug anything in to charge your items! The owner should also keep their personal political beliefs to themselves and not put posters and signs everywhere!

A year later, still the same great experience, again. The people running the place are very…read morefriendly, it's neat and clean. The fireplace and hot tub make it a cozy place to relax after hiking all day. Will be back!