by Scott Richards
I lived in Tiburon and then Mill Valley as a child. It was a wonderful experience to live on the San Francisco bay coming from Cleveland, Ohio. I ended up coming full circle and lived in Mill Valley with beautiful views of the Bay. Following are some things I recommend checking out when you visit Marin.
Sausalito
Sausalito is a scenic town located directly across the Golden Gate bridge from San Francisco. You can take a ferry from Sausalito to downtown San Francisco as many locals and tourists do. There are galleries, restaurants. and tourist shops.
Sausalito offers stunning views of the Bay, the city skyline, and Alcatraz Island. Once a shipbuilding hub during World War II, it has since evolved into a peaceful, artsy enclave with galleries, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants lining its picturesque harbor. The town is famous for its vibrant houseboat community and steep, winding hills dotted with eclectic homes. Whether you’re strolling the scenic Bridgeway Promenade, exploring the Bay Model, or hopping on a ferry back to the city, Sausalito feels like a serene escape with a touch of European flair.
What to Do
Hawk Hill – This scenic locate point is located west of the Golden Gate bridge there are a couple of points you can stop and take amazing photos of the Golden Gate bridge with San Francisco in the background. At the top of the hill there is a tunnel that leads to an old gun turret. If you keep going it turns into a steep one way street that is a little scary to drive down you definitely don’t want the breaks to go out on you!
Point Bonita Lighthouse is perched on the rugged promitory and marks the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. It is worth a visit you will see a bunch of seals frolicking below. To get to it you need to go through a tight tunnel carved in the rocky cliffs and then cross a suspension bridge which makes it quite an adventure. It was build in 1855 and was the 3rd lighthouse on the West Coast.
Rodeo Beach – This is a beautiful long beach in Marin Headlands. At the South end of the beach is a big rock in the water with a natural tunnel in it that makes for an amazing photo. At the North end of the beach is where the surfers catch waves. You can hike up the bluff to the top of the hill and see batteries that housed gigantic guns to protect the Bay during World War II.
There is a World War II era military tunnel on Bunker Road that cuts through Wolfback ridge deep under Highway 101. On the weekends vehicular traffic is diverted through this one lane tunnel.
Marine Mammal Center – This marine mammal rescue and rehab facility is a great place to visit to learn more about the creatures that inhabit the Northern California Coast. They host injured California sea lions, northern elephant seals, and Pacific harbor seals nurse them back to health and then release them. They lead in marine mammal medicine, environmental health research, and conservation science and education. The Center is open to the public Friday through Monday, 10 am to 4 pm, and offers docent-led tours, kid-friendly programs like “Marine Science Sunday,” and “Behind-the-Scenes” experiences for deeper insight into their work
Where to Stay
This elegant hotel is located next to the downtown Sausalito waterfront, overlooking the San Francisco skyline. The hotel offers a full-service spa, a restaurant and free WiFi. The restaurant is really good, but expensive and also has views and a patio.
This waterfront Inn is adjacent to the Ferry Landing. The views are unrivaled.
This historic lodge is located at the historic Fort Baker right at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. They have turned the old officers quarters into hotel rooms and the barracks into an inviting restaurant, bar and lobby. They added some amazing modern eco friendly rooms up on the hill with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can’t drive up and park in the modern units so you need to get shuttled up there in golf carts.
Where to Eat
This historic bar and restaurant is located at Cavallo Point at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The California inspired food is top notch and served by friendly folks. If it isn’t too windy or foggy you can enjoy dining on the porch with stunning views.
This restaurant has stunning views of the city. There is both indoor and outdoor dining. They have good cocktails and great food including a seafood bar. It is a really modern decor I like the hanging fireplace in the bar.
This classy wood paneled italian influenced restaurant restaurant is in the Casa Madrona Hotel. It features great pastas, pizzas, and entrees.
This is a really fun and aplty named casual restaurant with mostly outdoor seating it has a big firepits and its own little beach. It is a great place to go to with the kids. Great, pizzas, pasta and seafood is on the menu.
This French restaurant is located right on the water at a harbor in the non touristy part of Sausalito. They have a great quiche, mussels, and steak and pomme frittes.
Mill Valley
Mill Valley is the second town across the Golden Gate bridge from San Francisco. It is nestled at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais and lies around the shores of the Richardson Bay. Stunning wildlife abounds here — egrets, seals, herons, coyotes, and foxes. You can hike or mountain bike up Mt. Tam or head over to Muir Beach. John Muir established Muir Woods, a beautiful Redwood Forest natural park where you can see giant Redwoods that are from BC which is visited by thousands of tourists from around the world.
Mill Valley was an old mill town thus the name Mill Valley and has retained a funky and liberal atmosphere. There are some notable celebrities who make Mill Valley their home. I have seen Bob Weir of Grateful Dead perform at his Sweetwater Cafe and Music Hall. One time Robin Williams made a surprise appearance at our small local Throckmorton theater. Sammy Hagar owns the high end restaurant, El Paseo with amazing steaks and popovers, a local institution.
A railway used to operate up and down Mt Tam to a resort at the top with views of the ocean. You could ride a geared steam locomotive from downtown mill valley to the summit dine and stay there and coast back down Mt. Tam on a Gravity car. Unfortunately it burnt down in 1930.
What to Do
Muir Woods is the namesake of renowned environmentalist, John Muir. The towering redwoods are magnificent, some of them date before christ. A river meanders through the forest valley there are redwood decks along the valley floor and trails that ascend the sides of the valley. To manage crowds, Muir Woods requires advance reservations for parking or shuttle access. You can book at gomuirwoods.com. If you are a motivated hiker and early bird you can park at a parking spot on the Panaromic Highway 1 by the Mountain Home Inn (a cute little hotel and restaurant with stunning views worth a visit). You can descend down into Muir Woods and avoid the crowds and parking hassles the only thing is you have to hike back up the hill.
Muir Beach is a beautiful and very protected beach that makes it ameniable to families. It is a great place to learn to surf. There is a beautiful that drains from Muir Woods into the wetlands that they just did an ambitious restoration project on no you walk over a boardwalk across the beautiful restored wetlands to access the beach. The Pelican Inn is a really cute English Lodge where you can get lunch or dinner and even stay over night but be sure to book ahead.
Where to Eat
Watershed
This restaurant is situated in the Old Mill Valley Lumber Yard over the river. It is worth visiting this location as they have restored it and there are cute shops a bakery and a yummy Crepe place. They have a fozen Rose with Tequila, great Grilled Cheese, salads, a burger, pizza and entrees. It gets crowded on the weekends with lots of local families.
Tam Junction
After crossing the scenic Golden Gate Bridge the first Mill Valley exit off of 101 is the way to take Highway 1 over to Muir Woods and Muir Beach. You can stop off here for some great places to eat.
Buckeye Roadhouse
Don’t miss out on the historic Buckeye Road House which opened in 1938 across from what used to be the Manzanita rail station at the foot of the Richardson bridge. The historic old bar is so popular it is hard to get a seat. Lots of patrons prefer to dine at the red semi circular tables across from the bar than, the main dining room which is stunning with a wood burning fireplace and two levels with wood paneled ceilings and chandeliers. Here you can savor delicious ribs, steaks and fine wines — or a cocktail. Be sure to try the Onion Strings.
The Junction Beer Garden & Pizza Hacker
This casual eatery has a great beer garden with a playground for the kids. You order from your table on an app the pizzas are great with very interesting ingredients. They have meatballs and an extensive collection of local beers on tap and cans to go.
Where to Stay:
The Acqua hotel is located directly on the Richardson Bay just over the Richards Bay bridge in Strawberry (a community in Mill Valley)
While nothing fancy this hotel is the most affordable and convenient one in Mill Valley as it is located next to the Manzinita Park and Ride where the Airporter picks up and drops off. There is the lovely Buckeye RoadHouse restaurant just across the road and the Bar (lots of TVs good for sports fans) on the property. There is a swimming pool and good views of Mount Tam or Richardson Bay. You are right on the water and can walk to Tam Junction with great views along Coyote Creek, where there is a CSV and a great local market with organic food and produce. It has a free continental breakfast and you can order in from .
This is a charming hotel centrally located in downtown Mill Valley. It is nestled in the redwood trees, you can walk to the local Throckmorton Theater, Sweetwater Music Hall and many good restaurants.
Tiburon
Tiburon is a beautiful town with stunning views of San Francisco. From Tiburon you can hop on a ferry to cross the Bay to downtown San Francisco or visit Angel Island, a State Park. There are some good restaurants here with great views.
What to Do
Angel Island, often called the “Ellis Island of the West,” is the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay and offers a mix of natural beauty and rich history. Originally used by Coast Miwok people for fishing and hunting, it later became a U.S. military post and, from 1910 to 1940, served as an immigration station where thousands of mostly Asian immigrants were processed—and often detained—for entry into the United States. During World War II it also housed German and Japanese prisoners of war. Today, Angel Island State Park is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and picnicking, with panoramic views of the Bay Area and well-preserved historic sites that tell the story of its diverse past. A great way to experience Angel Island is by bringing or renting a bike and cycling around the island. The paved Perimeter Road offers a 6-mile loop with sweeping views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin.
Where to Eat
Sam’s Anchor Cafe is a beloved waterfront restaurant, offering a quintessential Bay Area dining experience. Established in 1920, Sam’s has become a local institution known for its fresh seafood, lively atmosphere, and panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, including sights of Angel Island and Alcatraz. Here you can chill on the deck with a Ramo’s Fizz and enjoy some crab cakes. Sam’s has its own docks so you can sail up or kayack here for lunch. Just watch out for the Seagulls – they will swoop in and try and steal some of your lunch.
Malibu Farm this California inspired restaurant is right on the water by the Ferry there is an upstairs and downstairs with patio dining. They have great lobster sliders and korean oxtail, yum and good cocktails. The views are stunning and it has a really nice vibe.
Where to stay:
The Lodge at Tiburon This hotel is nothing fancy but for pricey Tiburon / Belvedere it is affordable. There is a good restaurant at bar and it is a short walk in either direction to the water / downtown. There is a CSV pharmacy and a nice local market with fresh produce and deli just across the road.
Water’s Edge Hotel This boutique hotel is situated right on the water on the main streen in the old downtown. You will have to pay for the stunning views.