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Best Marin Hikes With Views Of The Headlands, Mt Tam, SF Bay

These Bay Area Hikes with views feature some of the most gorgeous, accessible trails in Marin!

In this hiking guide, I’m sharing our favorite, possibly even the most beautiful Marin hikes, which have a trailhead within a 30-minute drive of San Francisco City.

The San Francisco Bay Area is a fantastic place to live, not only for the buzz of a world-class city and the great year-round weather (summertime excluded, I’m looking at you, Karl the Fog!) but also for the epic great outdoors which surrounds the region to the North, East, and South.

Marin County lies in the North Bay, just a short trip across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge itself is actually a great hike/run in itself if you haven’t done this before.

If you’re visiting the San Francisco area as part of a California road trip, then it’s definitely worth making time to get some fresh air and experience beautiful vistas on one of these hikes.

These Marin hikes are all connected Bay Area hikes with views, located within the Mount Tamalpais State Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the Marin Headlands.

If you’re new to hiking and looking to pack a day pack for a hike in Marin (or anywhere else, for that matter), then our hiking for beginners guide includes a hiking checklist so you can make sure you’ve packed everything you need for your hike before you head out (link opens in a new tab).

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale

The weather in the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tamalpais State Park can be fairly changeable with fog rolling in during the morning and late afternoon in the Summer months and potential torrential rain and high winds during the winter months.

When the sun is shining though which happens much of the time year-round, the temperatures are usually high and so I would always recommend taking water with you on your Marin hikes or trail runs.

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale
One of our favorite Marin hikes with ocean views

When you witness these Marin trails for the first time, you won’t believe how close you are to such a big city.

The network of trails for Marin hikes is well-maintained and truly vast, with diverse landscapes, plenty of wildlife, and views that will have you stopping in your tracks every 10 minutes.

If you would like to modify any of these loops but are not sure how to find the best trails to do so, read my guide on how to find trails near you to hike or trail run on.

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale

All of these Marin hikes are loops so you will end up finishing back where you started and they can be hiked all year round, they are also extremely trail runner-friendly.

As always when out in nature, hikers need to be mindful of natural events such as flooding, high winds, and high fire risks (‘red flag warnings’) which may be in effect and could affect your plans for hiking in Marin.

1. Dipsea, Steep Ravine, and Matt Davis loop: Long Marin hike – One of our favorite Mt Tam hikes with ocean views and waterfalls.

Dipsea Steep Ravine and Matt Davis Loop trail and kale
Dipsea, Steep Ravine and Matt Davis loop – Image Courtesy of alltrails.com

Distance: 7.8 miles (12.5km). Elevation Gain: 1781ft (543m). Dogs Allowed?: No.


A popular Marin hike is this loop trail in Mt Tamalpais State Park, partly on the famous Dipsea Trail.

There are a few options for starting this hiking trail; we like to start at Stinson Beach, as this means you finish your hike with epic ocean and beach views, as well as the option of some tacos and a cold beer at the beach before heading home / back to the city.

We prefer to do this loop trail in a clockwise direction, starting with the Matt Davis Trail. It means that the first half is pretty much all uphill, but the descent on the Dipsea Trail is worth it.

The Matt Davis Trail start can be found off Belvedere, which is a residential street off Shoreline Highway in Stinson Beach. After 4 miles or so of climbing, you reach the highway at Pantoll, which hosts a ranger station, paid parking, and restroom facilities. This is a great place to fill up on water before you head back down to Stinson.

Head from Pantoll Station down, following the well-signposted Steep Ravine Trail. Steep Ravine trail runs alongside a creek through an often-cool canyon, filled with ferns, redwoods, and other beautiful local greenery and wildlife.

The shade is very welcome on a hot California day! Enjoy the scenery and the large wooden ladder you descend along the way.

At the junction with the Dipsea Trail, stick right to continue onto the Dipsea Trail. From here on down, be ready for the stunning ocean and beach views as you roll downhill back to Stinson Beach.


2. Rodeo Beach Coastal Trail Loop: Dog-friendly Marin hike – Marin Headlands with your four-legged buddy.

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale
Rodeo Beach Coastal Trail Loop – Image Courtesy of alltrails.com

Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7km). Elevation Gain: 954ft (291m). Dogs Allowed?: Yes.


Rodeo Beach is easy to access via Sausalito and the closest trail (of our selection) to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. There’s plenty of parking along Mitchell Road, as well as restroom facilities.

The Coastal Trail follows the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean, and from here you can catch great views, especially at sunset (assuming it’s not foggy – it often can be in summer in particular, especially in the morning and evening).

Head up the Coastal Trail then on to the Miwok Trail for epic views – the Marin Headlands at their best!

You can also make this Marin hike longer by linking to other trails, but if you have a dog with you, please check that you can bring them.

There are plenty of Marin hikes with dogs that you can do but it’s important you check that they are allowed beforehand as trail rules can change due to seasonality as well as year-round regulations.

The Marin Headlands are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and dogs are only permitted on certain trails.


3. Tenessee Valley Loop: Short hike – Wildflowers and sea breezes in the Marin Headlands.

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale
Tenessee Valley Trail Loop – Image Courtesy of alltrails.com

Distance: 5.1 miles (8.2km). Elevation Gain: 872ft (266m). Dogs Allowed?: No.


Our easiest pick is the ‘Tennessee Valley Loop’, which has moderate elevation gain and rewards you for your efforts with sea views and the experience of hiking amongst beautiful coastal wildflowers, especially in spring when the California poppies can make an appearance.

This hike starts and finishes at the Tennessee Valley trailhead, which has a good amount of parking options as well as bathroom facilities.

It can be made longer by adding on an out-and-back to Muir Beach, or taking another trail from the parking lot when you return from the loop.

I recommend a climb up the Old Springs Trail, which you can find around the back of the riding stables adjacent to the parking lot.

Tennessee Valley Trail to Fox Trail. Then Coastal Fire Road to the Coastal Trail. Return via the Tennessee Valley trail. Optional out and back to Muir beach.

marin hikes - hiking trails in marin california trail and kale

I hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking in Marin County, California!

If you are new to hiking you may also be interested to read our complete beginner’s guide to hiking, which include a gear checklist and hiking tips so you know what to wear and bring on your next hiking trip.

We know quite a bit about the hiking trails in Marin County, so if you have any questions about hiking or trail running in the area, drop us a question in the comments below 🙂

Alastair
Alastairhttps://www.trailandkale.com
As the founder of Trail & Kale, and seasoned marathoner & ultrarunner, Alastair loves bringing our readers independent running shoe reviews and gear insights to help you run your best. Learn more about Trail & Kale here.

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