How to Take a Day Trip to West Marin from San Francisco
Today I want to share my itinerary for a day trip to West Marin from San Francisco with you. This part of Northern California is famous for its stunning coastline, cute towns, and delicious food. From famous beaches to oysters and hiking trails, it's worth spending a day here to discover the highlights. I'm visiting now and I can't wait to show you around. I've included a map of my itinerary, too.
Day Trip to West Marin
West Marin is one of my favorite day trips from San Francisco. Having grown up in the Bay Area, I've been coming to this part of the Golden State my whole life. In doing so I've grown to love the area from Stinson Beach to Bolinas and beyond.
On this trip I'm spending a day in West Marin with my other half. We're excited to see what new-to-us things the region will reveal. Given how much we enjoy visiting this part of California, we know it's going to be a great trip.
Our West Marin day trip starts in San Francisco, and it takes us everywhere from Tomales Bay to Point Reyes Station and Stinson Beach. They're some of our favorite places in Marin County, and we try to visit as often as we can. But we're going to see a few other spots along the way, and I hope you enjoy hearing about them.
Where to Stay in West Marin
We're just in town for a day, but we stayed overnight here when we spent a weekend in Tomales Bay. If you're able to spend more time here, there are lots of great places to call home-away-from-home in West Marin. My favorite is the Lodge at Marconi in Marshall.
This historic property was once a hotel for the employees of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America. It's since been converted into a hip coastal retreat with bay views and "Marin chic" decor.
We loved everything from the forested grounds to the contemporary guest lounges and hilltop views. Our room was stylish and cozy, and we could see the water from our window. Best of all, it was less expensive than some of the other hotels in the area. If you want to follow in our footsteps, you can book a stay of your own here.
Farm Shops
Our day trip to West Marin from San Francisco starts with a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin County. It's a beautiful morning, and we can't help stopping at a couple farm shops on our way to the coast.
The first is called Nicasio Valley Cheese Company. As the name implies, this place is famous for its dairy products. All of their cheeses are made from 100% organic farmstead cow's milk, and they're delicious. We try a few samples from the counter, then pick out some cheeses and eggs to take home.
Not far from Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, we pull over at a roadside stand called Little Wing Farm. Inside a rustic wooden building we find ourselves in a produce lover's paradise. There's everything from fresh seasonal vegetables to cut flowers and fruit here. We choose some to cook with for the week ahead, putting cash in the honor box before we leave.
Marshall
Back in the car, we continue our West Marin day trip itinerary by driving up along Tomales Bay to get to Marshall. This place is home to some of my favorite spots to eat on the California coast. From the restaurants to the oyster farms, there's a lot to love about the seafood scene here.
My other half's favorite place in Marshall is The Marshall Store. This casual bayside restaurant not only serves fresh catches, but it also has a great outdoor area where diners can enjoy views across the water.
We snag a table, order at the counter, and tuck into heaping seafood salads and sandwiches as we soak up the sunshine. It's the perfect way to enjoy lunch on Tomales Bay.
Point Reyes Station
When we're done with our meal, we hop in the car and drive south to Point Reyes Station. This local town is one of our favorite places in West Marin.
Point Reyes Station is packed with historic wooden buildings housing shops offering everything from photographic prints to books, gifts, clothing, and baked goods. There are restaurants and a big supermarket here, not to mention local stores offering Marin County cheeses and artisanal foods and drinks.
We pick up more cheese at West Marin Culture Shop, browse the wares at The Little Store, and get our favorite Double 8 Dairy buffalo milk soft serve at Palace Market. As we go, we enjoy the relaxed pace of life, talk with friendly shopkeepers, and take in the 19th-century facades lining the streets.
Stinson Beach
After finishing our soft serve, we drive south to Stinson Beach. We're excited to take a walk along the shore, even if the weather is a bit overcast. This stretch of sand is one of the most famous in the region, and we love watching the pelicans fly low over the water.
West Marin Day Trip
From Stinson Beach we drive south to San Francisco, waving hello to beloved places like The Pelican Inn in Muir Beach along the way. We're sad our day trip has come to an end, but glad we've gotten to visit some of our favorite spots in the area.
As with every visit, it's made us want to return soon and discover more. From the towns to the coastline, we could spend a lifetime exploring Marin County. Which is why we're already excited for our next trip.
West Marin Itinerary Map
As promised, you can find an interactive Google map of all the places on my West Marin day trip itinerary here. I hope it helps you plan your next visit to this exciting part of the Golden State.
More West Marin Itineraries
If you've enjoyed my itinerary and you're interested in other options, you can take a look at guided day tours here. And if you're looking for other day trips from San Francisco, I have you covered, too.
If you have an extra day or two, you can check out my itinerary for a weekend in Tomales Bay for inspiration. It has everything from delicious places to eat to fun hikes and sightseeing. And if you want to head farther up the coast, my Sonoma itineraries and Mendocino itineraries can help.
If you want to see more about this trip, you can take a look at my Instagram reel. It has all the highlights of the day.
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