Bay Area Discovery Museum
With both indoor and outdoor exhibitions through the museum, the Bay Area Discovery Museum warrants a stop for kids on the drive into Marin County. A theater, a marine-life workshop, an interactive simulator of the Bay, and art studios will keep the little ones busy while you plan the rest of your weekend.
Mill Valley
The charming village of Mill Valley has a bookstore and café as its center point around a couple of towering Redwoods. Mill Valley is the perfect place to window shop, rest after a bike ride, grab a deli sandwich before a hike, or catch dinner and a live show at the renowned (and recently rescued) Sweetwater Saloon.
Mountain Home Inn
On the way out of Mill Valley, toward Highway 1 to Mt. Tamalpais State Park, is the upscale Mountain Home Inn. Sweeping views, hiking trails just beyond the front door, and a delectable brunch make Mountain Home Inn the perfect getaway for couples or family get-togethers.
West Point Inn
One of my favorite memories at the West Point Inn, the only surviving structure of the world-famous Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway, was sharing a meal with other random inn guests and finishing the night drinking too much wine playing a creative writing board game that resulted in pirate calls and dancing. The West Point Inn is like camp for grownups, with a fantastic Sunday pancake breakfast for families, mountain bikers, and inn guests. Make sure you book months ahead for a weekend, and weeks ahead for a weeknight. Cancellations may pop up, so call the reservation line for up-to-date cabin status. The cabins are rustic and overlook the valley and bay below, while the inn is quaint and creaky. At $35/night and a kitchen to cook the food you hiked in with, the West Point Inn is the best overnight secret next to Steep Ravine.
Mount Tamalpais State Park and Marin County Hiking Trails
With over fifty miles of trail in Mount Tamalpais State Park, which connect to a 200-mile-long trail system, Marin County is the perfect getaway for the easy to moderate hour-long hike to the strenuous ten-mile hike. Marin Trails is a good starting point for a great adventure in the great outdoors.
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