Just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais State Park rises majestically from the heart of Marin County. Its deep canyons and sweeping hillsides are cloaked with cool redwood forests, oak woodlands, open grasslands, and sturdy chaparral.
The breathtaking views from Mount Tamalpais include:
- to the west the Bolinas Lagoon and the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea;
- to the South San Francisco and the Golden Gate;
- to the East the San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo;
- and to the North, Marin lakes and forested hills.
On rare occasions, the snow-covered Sierra Nevada can be seen 150 miles away.
The park offers superlative hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, and mountain and road bicycling.
This is your 1-2-3 essential guide to Mount Tamalpais State Park:
- Stop at Pantoll Parking Lot to pick up a park map and brochure and talk to park staff at the Entrance Kiosk. Register for a day pass or a night at the Pantoll and Bootjack campgrounds.
- Drive up along Pantoll Road to reach the panoramic Rock Springs area and the 3,750-person capacity Mountain Theater which hosts outdoor performing arts events and astronomy programs.
- Walk or drive to East Peak to feel on top of the world. Stop by the tiny Visitor Center for books, snacks, and souvenirs. Hop on the Gravity Car at the nearby Barn to celebrate the old Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway.
Explore and enjoy your visit!
