Beyond San Francisco’s city limits, across the Golden Gate, rolls an outdoor paradise showering us city folk with sun, sea, and silence. While some know Marin County as the place where aged rock ’n rollers and famous hippies retire to their million dollar tree houses, the rest of us use its landscape as a respite from the frenetic nature of our city by the Bay.
Getting out of the city doesn’t have to be a challenge, and Marin County keeps it easy. Within an hour’s drive are untouched Redwood forests, wide open beaches, and hiking trails that serve up some of San Francisco’s most accessible natural beauty. There are campsites and cabins that even some locals have yet to discover, and beach houses that sit empty waiting for a tenant to sit on their verandas wrapped in a blanket with a good book.
I have a handful of secrets to share about Marin County’s hidden treasures; some require planning, while others are easy to visit spontaneously.
Point Bonita Lighthouse
You’ll want to check your fear of heights at the Golden Gate once you take this first exit after crossing the bridge. As the beacon lighting the way for ships into the San Francisco Bay, Point Bonita Lighthouse is open weekends and Monday afternoons for visitors to cross the suspension bridge only one at a time. Come armed with a camera and questions for the park ranger and you’ll go home with exquisite photographs and tales of sunken shipwrecks.
Sausalito
A quick ferry ride from the city or the first exit off 101 North will take you to the charming yachting community of Sausalito. Only locals know how to get off the main tourist drag (Hint: it’s one block west). Locals also know that the steep stairway up to the houses above town will work off the Lappert’s ice cream, just stop for a breather along the way to keep it fun for the wee ones. A relaxing stroll along the houseboat docks also makes Sausalito a nice stop for the day or overnight.
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