If you know me, you’ll know the Bay Area is one of my favorite places to travel in California. I’ve published a lot of Marin County itineraries on the California Wayfaring blog, and today I want to pull them all together in one place. My post will show you the best of this part of the Golden State, from the coast to the towns and beyond.
Marin County Travel
Just north of San Francisco, Marin County is not only one of my go-to places to soak up views and hike along trails, but also one of my top picks for a spot to head to the beach, eat good food, and get into nature. I’ve traveled here all throughout my life, and I keep coming back for more. I hope my itineraries inspire you to do the same.
I’ve published blog posts about everything from hikes to day trips and multi-day getaways, and I’ve shared about my favorite experiences here on the blog. From Point Reyes to Tomales Bay, Muir Woods, and Bolinas, I’ve covered a lot of the county.
I plan to bring you many more Marin County itineraries in the future, and I’ll add them to this blog post as I publish them. If you want to bookmark it or pin it on Pinterest, you can use it as a reference for finding all my past, present, and future travel guides.
1. Day Trip to West Marin
I’ll start my list of Marin County itineraries with a classic day trip. It’s a great one if you’ve never been to this part of California before and you want to get an overview of some of the most famous things the area has to offer. It’s also perfect if you have a limited amount of time to travel.
My itinerary for a day trip to West Marin covers highlights like Tomales Bay, Marshall, Point Reyes Station, and Stinson Beach. It also includes famous farm stands and other delicious places to eat along the way.
If experiencing some of the best of this part of the Northern California coast sounds good to you, you can see the full itinerary and map here. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a day in the Bay Area, and it will show you some of the top spots in the county. If you prefer to take a guided day tour, you can book one here.
2. Two Days in Tomales Bay & Point Reyes
The next of my itineraries is great if you have a bit more time in Marin County. It’s ideal if you want to see the big sights and discover some local favorites. It will show you a range of things to do in a relatively short period of time.
My itinerary for 2 days in Tomales Bay and Point Reyes includes an overnight stay at my favorite hotel in the area, lunch on the waterfront, a hike, cheese and olive oil tastings, the Cypress Tree Tunnel, and elephant seals at Drakes Beach. It also includes ideas for fun things to do in Point Reyes Station.
If experiencing a range of the highlights of this part of the Northern California coast sounds like your kind of vacation, you can see the full itinerary and map here. This one is great for first-time visitors. It’s also fun if you’re bringing a dog.
3. Weekend in Bolinas
The next of my Marin County travel guides is for you if you have a free weekend and you want to discover a local part of the coast. Right near the famous Stinson Beach, Bolinas flies under the radar for most visitors (and a lot of locals!).
My itinerary for a weekend in Bolinas includes time at the beach, highlights of Wharf Road, and more. It also features things to do and see in town, from shops to galleries and restaurants.
If experiencing a local area in Marin County sounds like your kind of getaway, you can see the full itinerary and map here. It’s a fun one if you have a couple days in the area and you want to get off the beaten path.
4. Marin County Hikes
The next of my guides will show you 3 of my favorite hiking trails in Marin County. While places like the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais (aka Mt Tam) are famous, I like venturing out on less-trafficked trails. Each one is ideal if you have a day here and you want to get outdoors and into nature (and you should, as that’s what this area is beloved for!).
My blog post includes everything from a waterfall hike to trails with views. I’ve outlined a range of choices, so something’s sure to appeal no matter your fitness level, time, and preferences. From Cataract Falls to the Oakwood Valley Trail and Olompali State Historic Park, there’s a hike you’ll love.
If spending a day (or more) experiencing the best of what the Bay Area’s trails have to offer appeals to you, you can see the routes and maps here. They’re perfect if you like getting outdoors and into nature.
5. Weekend in Tomales Bay
Back in Tomales Bay, the next of my itineraries is just the ticket if you have a weekend to spend on the coast. It’s the perfect one if you want to experience everything from hiking trails to delicious seafood.
My blog post covers everything from a great place to stay to good restaurants, a big hike, the Cypress Tree Tunnel, and Point Reyes Station. It also features unique things to do like tasting honey wine at a local meadery.
If that sounds like your kind of California weekend getaway, you can see the full itinerary and map here. It’s a fun one if you enjoy getting to know a place and doing a variety of things in the area while you’re visiting.
Marin County Itineraries
I hope my itineraries have inspired you to spend some time visiting this amazing part of Northern California. There’s so much to do in the county, whether you want to see the famous parts or get into the local scene.
If you want additional ideas, you can take a look at my blog post about the best day trips from San Francisco. It has lots more good tips for places to visit in Marin County. Whether you want to visit Sausalito, Tiburon, Mt Tam, the Marin Headlands, or somewhere else entirely, it has you covered.
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