Looking for a quick weekend adventure? Muir Woods (National Monument) located just North of San Francisco is your spot. The surrounding area has an abundance of beautiful scenery, great food and lots of fantastic locations perfect for a weekend full of adventure. Nestled near Mt. Tamalpais, you will find a variety of hiking trails, a lush forest and some awesome beaches as well as the hip town, Mill Valley. Here are our top spots to help you plan out your epic weekend:
Muir Woods
Grab your hiking bag, lace up your Ridgemonts, and hit the trails. This park offers so much beauty and peace, you’ll absolutely love spending your day exploring. Keep in mind it is a high traffic tourist spot so getting there early is best. We highly suggest checking the Muir Woods website for any road closures and to also make your parking reservation prior to arriving. The park has trails that begin both inside and outside of the main area.
If you’re looking for an easy day hike - take the trail to Muir Beach. This trail is very easy and winds along the roadway leading directly to the beach access point. The beach is gorgeous and is one of the most popular spots for the whale watching season. There is also a cool cottage style pub there called the Pelican Inn that has fantastic drinks and eats.
If you’re a more avid hiker and looking for a challenge, the Dip Sea trail to Stinson Beach is all you. It’s stunning and will get your heart pumping along the way. It’s definitely worth it for the amazing views! This is a full day hike so make sure you pack water and some snacks. We also suggest taking a warm sweater, it gets chilly there.
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Places to stay:
Mt. Tamalpais State Park -
If you’re looking for the outdoor adventure, we definitely suggest camping here. The spots fill up rather quickly, so book in advance if you can.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471
Mill Valley -
The Mill Valley Inn is one of my personal favorites. This hotel is historical and absolutely stunning. They have a few different options on the types of rooms, including cottages to choose from. I definitely suggest attending the Wine Reception, where you have the opportunity to try local wines paired with cheeses. Another reason I love this place - they have Trek bike rentals!
Also check out Mill Valley’s annual event calendar, they have some great festivals for wine tasting, art, and adventure.
http://www.millvalley.com/event-calendar
Sausalito -
This is a little further from Muir Woods, however if you’re feeling extra adventurous search Airbnb for a houseboat or a unique place here. We are always looking for rad places to stay and this definitely adds a special touch to the trip.
Great Food & Drinks:
Shoreline Coffee Shop - this place is great for breakfast or lunch. It’s very popular and trendy. They have French Press Coffee and an amazing menu. You can’t go wrong here.
http://shorelinecoffeeshop.com
The Fish - located in Sausalito, it’s extremely good food! Their hours are limited and there’s almost always a line out the door…so if you can, try and visit this place.
Buckeye Roadhouse - I highly recommend this restaurant for a special dining experience. They describe themselves as “Old World Charm with Contemporary American Cuisine”. Their menu has a great selection including some local seafood and a fantastic wine selection from the popular “wine country”.
https://www.buckeyeroadhouse.com
Don’t forget the most important part of your trip - experiencing new places and taking in the sites. I can’t think of any better way to do that, than hiking in the woods or relaxing on the beach, breathing in that crisp ocean air.
Cheers!
- Ridgemont Ambassador Royce Fonseca
IG: @casunshine0508