Cities, Towns
Villages & Areas
in...


1.The beautiful City of San Francisco...
and, across the bay, the towns, villages and coastal playgrounds of Marin County

...of the REDWOOD EMPIRE

..


CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES & AREAS


CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES - THE SAN FRANCISCO AREAS
Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County


CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES - THE MARIN COUNTY AREAS
Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

  • ANGEL ISLAND STATE PARK
    • Woodsy, mountainous island, picnicking, swimming. Hiking trails circle the island to the 781-foot Mt. Livermore summit. Bicycling is allowed on main roads around the Island. Former site of a Native American settlement, Civil War fort, U.S. troop embarkation and Asian immigration center. Exhibits are at park headquarters. Special events and tours: 415/435-1915 or 415/456-1286. Nine environmental campsites are available (reserve): 800/444-7275. Disabled special camping: Angel Island Association (415/435-3522). Boat mooring. Ferry service from San Francisco (415/546-2815) and from Tiburon (415/435-2131).

  • AUDUBON CANYON RANCH
    • The ranch, located on the coast 3 miles north of Stinson Beach, is a private, non-profit organization that manages a system of wildlife sanctuaries and nature education centers (415/868-9244).

  • BOLINAS
    • A quiet summer colony on a lagoon sheltering waterfowl, with a sandy beach and tide pools, and a spectacular view south from Duxbury Reef. Bolinas Memorial Museum: 415/868-0330.

  • CHINA CAMP STATE PARK
    • A 1,648-acre park, bordering San Pablo Bay, east of San Rafael. A remnant of a late 1800s Chinese immigrants' fishing camp, includes a 1900 general store, "Yick Yuen", now a museum. Hiking, fishing, picnic sites, sailing, boat launch. Back Ranch Campground (walk-in sites). Day use parking (fee). 415/456-0766 or 415/456-1286.

  • CORTE MADERA
    • Residential community on former grant of pioneer John Reed, whose mill supplied the lumber to build the San Francisco Presidio. Town Park (picnicking), shopping centers (415/924-0441)

  • DILLON BEACH
    • Great access to Tomales Bay: clam digging, camping, boating.

  • GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
    • Marin Headlands, Tennessee Valley, Forts Baker, Barry and Cronkhite, Rodeo Beach and Point Bonita Lighthouse. Former forts and military installations west of the Golden Gate Bridge are administered by the National Park Service. Hiking, restricted biking, horseback riding, fishing, nature, history tours, group camping and educational events are available. Visitors Center at Fort Barry: 415/331-1540. Youth Hostel, Fort Barry: 415/331-2777. Pacific Environment & Resource Center, Building 1055, Fort Cronkhite: 415/332-8200. Bay Area Discovery Museum, Fort Baker, (415/487-4398) Most beaches are open 9am until one hour after sunset.

  • KENTFIELD
    • College of Marin offering public events and entertainment; Kentfield Campus (415/457-8811); Indian Valley Campus (415/883-2211). The college awards Associate degrees and vocational certificates.

  • LARKSPUR
    • A community with creek access to San Francisco Bay, Larkspur was named for the blue wildflowers once blooming on hills. There's a downtown historic district as well as a contemporary shopping center. Ferry to San Francisco from the Golden Gate Ferry Transit Terminal with parking and Golden Gate Transit buses: 415/453-2100; Chamber: 415/927-4360

  • MARIN COUNTY CIVIC CENTER
    • Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of his last commissions, is located in San Rafael about 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The building, now a national and state historical landmark, spans the crowns of three separate hills and dramatically blends with the surrounding landscape. Regularly scheduled tours are available Tues-Fri., 10:30-11:30am (415/472-7470).

  • MARIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT LAKES
    • Protected watershed with 20,000 acres of recreational land and five lakes: Phoenix, Bon Tempe, Lagunitas, Alpine and Kent. Fishing, hiking, picnic areas and limited bike/horse paths are available. Parking fee at Bon Tempe, Lagunitas. No swimming or boating. 415/924-4600.

  • MARIN MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
    • This one-of-a-kind museum is located on a Coast Miwok archaeological site in Miwok Park, 2200 Novato Blvd. Offers both permanent and changing displays, (415/897-4067).

  • MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
    • This non-profit Marine Mammal Hospital is located in the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate NRA. Public visiting and gift shop hours are 10am-4pm daily; free admission. The Marine Mammal Center rescues and rehabilitates seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea otters that are stranded along the Northern and Central California coastline. Since 1975, the Center has released hundreds of recovered marine mammals back to the wild. 415/289-7325.

  • MARSHALL
    • Marconi State Park Conference Center, site of early "wireless" radio experiments: 415/663-9020.

  • MILL VALLEY
    • West of the Redwood Highway (Highway 101) in wooded canyons leading up Mt. Tamalpais. Distinguished by quaint houses, shops, architectural landmarks and an historic old mill in the park. Sponsors a Fall Art Festival, Film Festival, and is the site of the famed Dipsea Race. (415/388-9700)

  • MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK
    • View the entire Bay Area from the summit (2,586 feet). The park includes 50 miles of hiking trails, picnicking, a hillside amphitheater, and is wheelchair accessible. Camping: walk-in, group, back pack, environmental, en route sites. Ten rustic overnight cabins in Steep Ravine. 415/388-2070.

  • MUIR BEACH
    • Tide pools, sun bathing, no swimming.

  • NOVATO
    • The northern most city in Marin County, Novato is nestled in a valley surrounded by oak studded hills on the west side and pristine salt marsh on the east. Anchored by a historic 1896 city hall, which was once a church, the downtown area along Grant Ave. has kept its quaintness and charm. Novato History Museum showcases Novato's lively past, (415/897-4320). Open space surrounds Novato which provides numerous hiking and biking trails, (415/897-4067).

  • OLEMA
    • Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center, 1/3 mile west of town on Bear Valley Road. Several B&B's located nearby.

  • OLOMPALI STATE HISTORIC PARK
    • To experience a real part of California State history, visit this state park just north of Novato. Coast Miwok Indians lived here from 2000 BC, and along with Spaniards and early modern Americans, left lasting contributions. Hike through this area that was once one of the largest Miwok trading villages in Marin, (415/892-3383). One of the many State parks within the Redwood Empire.

  • POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE
    • This 74,000-acre area administered by the National Park Service includes the BEAR VALLEY VISITOR CENTER, 1/3 mile west of Olema, Highway One (park headquarters), natural and cultural exhibits, library, programs, trail maps, camping info, reservations: 415/663-1092 (TDD/TTY). Nearby you'll find Earthquake Trail, the Kule Loklo, a Coast Miwok Cultural Exhibit and a Morgan Horse ranch. Visit the bird observatory located at the end of Mesa Road in Bolinas. Visitors can watch the banding activities and release of banded birds, and can take a detailed tour of the facility (415/868-0655). Trails (150 miles) for hiking, biking and horses. Swim at Limantour Spit and Drake's Beach (Sir Francis Drake probably landed here in 1579). Tule Elk range. Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse (1870) for a self-guided or ranger-led tour; Thursday-Monday, 10am-4:30pm (closed in high winds; 415/669-1534). Seasonal whale-watching from Point Reyes Headlands and the Lighthouse (312-step descent) Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm, 415/669-1534. Sea Lion Overlook nearby. Backpack (hike or ride in) campsites. No dogs or firearms allowed on the trails. Camping reservations must be made 9am-noon, Monday-Friday, 415/663-1092. Youth Hostel: 415/663-8811.

  • POINT REYES STATION
    • Crossroads community for West Marin County. Dance Palace Comm. Center (events): 415/663-1075. West Marin C.C., (415/663-9232). INVERNESS Quiet village on Tomales Bay. Local B&B inns make excellent headquarters for exploring the National Seashore.

  • ROSS
    • Features the Marin Art & Garden Center in an estate setting (garden, art, theater events): 415/454-5597.

  • SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK
    • Fifteen miles west of San Rafael, the park features a mixed stand of old- growth and young redwoods. Enjoy hiking and horseback trails, picnicking, swimming and fishing. Campsites: developed, hike/bike, wheelchair, en route, horse camps. 415/488-9897.

  • SAN ANSELMO
    • This community surrounds the old-world stone buildings of the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Self-guided tour books are available in the Administration Building, and visitors are welcome any time. The Tree Walk on park-like grounds is also open to visitors. Robson Park, a community garden, is part of an old estate. Antique capital of Northern California with over 130 dealers (415/454-2510).

  • SAN FRANCISCO BAY DELTA MODEL
    • Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bay Model is a 1 1/2 acre hydraulic working scale model used by engineers to analyze problems that cannot be solved through textbooks or mathematics. The Model, located in Sausalito, features exhibits related to the Bay's cultural and natural history. Visitors may also enjoy interpretive audio tours, available in several languages. Visit Marinship the new historical exhibit dedicated to WWII shipyards in Sausalito. Winter hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm; summer hours, Tuesday-Friday, 9am-4pm; Weekends and Holidays, 10am-6pm. 415/332-3871.

  • SAN RAFAEL
    • The county seat and the center of Marin County's cultural activities. Marin Center hosts national celebrity entertainers as well as performances by the Marin Symphony, Marin Ballet, Marin Opera and other companies, (415/499-6400). Dominican College hosts the Marin Shakespeare Co. and many cultural events and lectures, (415/457-4440). San Rafael's unique historic downtown includes a replica of the 1817 Mission San Rafael Archangel, (415/454-8141); the Victorian Falkirk Mansion, the former Robert Dollar Estate, (415/485-3328); and Marin County Historical Museum, (415/454-8538). The San Quentin Gift Shop featuring items made by the inmates is open to the public, (415/454-1460) as is the prison museum, (415/454-8808). For more information call the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, (415/454-4163).

  • SAUSALITO
    • This picturesque hillside town on the Bay is noted for unique shopping, restaurants, artist studios and galleries, a yacht harbor, deep sea fishing trips and a local history museum. The central historical district is near the ferry landing. Daily ferry service to/from San Francisco: 415/453-2100, 415/546-2815.

  • STINSON BEACH
    • Sandy beach, summer swimming (lifeguard). Picnic sites with fire rings, snack bar (summer). Surf fishing. 415/868-0942. Weather: 415/868-1922.

  • TIBURON
    • This TIBURON Peninsula with lagoon and hillside homes is east of the Richardson Bay Bridge, off Highway 101. The town offers waterfront restaurants, shops, yacht berths, sailing clubs and a 900-acre wildlife sanctuary. The National Audubon Society Western Headquarters are in the Victorian Lyford House, with tours available (415/388-2524). The Landmark Society (Historical Society) can be contacted to view the Chaina Cabin (cabin off of an old sailing ship); Old Saint Hilary's and Railroad Depot museum, 415-435-1853 PARADISE COUNTY BEACH PARK offers a fishing pier and picnicking (fee). RING MOUNTAIN PRESERVE features lush grasslands and wildflowers. Ferries to San Francisco and Angel Island: 415/546-2815, 415/435-2131.

  • TOMALES BAY STATE PARK
    • Four miles north of Inverness on a shallow bay. Includes picnic tables, fire- pits, restrooms, warm swimming beach. Bike camp (fee). Wheelchair accessible. 415/669-1140. Across the Bay off Highway One is Millerton Point State Beach, with day-use coastal access—hiking, fishing, picnicking.

  • WILDCARE:TERWILLIGER NATURE EDUCATION & WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
    • Non-profit nature education museum and wildlife hospital, located in downtown San Rafael, open 9am-5pm, seven days a week. Birds and animals that are unable to be released can be viewed in the courtyard. Docent and self-guided tours available (415/456-SAVE).



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For other areas of THE REDWOOD EMPIRE, click below:
6.The wild and scenic Rogue River, the Oregon Caves... one of Oregon's "best kept secrets" - Josephine County

5.Redwoods, Rivers, Seaports and Coastline of California's Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

4.The dramatic & beautiful Coast, the dynamic inland areas & Wine country of Mendocino County

3.The Lakes and Playgrounds of Clearlake & Lake County

2.The dramatic coastline, the legendary Wine country and progressive cities of Sonoma and Napa Counties

1.Baghdad by the Bay... the beautiful and compelling City of San Francisco and, across the Golden Gate, the magnetic towns and villages and the coastal playgrounds of Marin County

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