Mount Tamalpais State Park

If you haven’t watched the sun set from Mount Tam, you’re seriously missing out. This place doesn’t just give you views—it gives you drama. I came up right before golden hour, and what I saw felt like something out of a dream. Rolling fog creeping over the hills like slow ocean waves, while the sky lit up in layers of orange, lavender, and deep blue. You get these surreal moments where it feels like the forest is floating in the clouds. The winding roads glowing in the dusk make the whole drive worth it. I’ve lived in the Bay Area for years and nothing really prepares you for how cinematic this place feels at sunset—especially when that fog layer hits just right. If you’re into photography, bring your gear. If you just want peace and perspective, bring a blanket and sit back. Either way, Mount Tam is magic. Total 10/10.

Upon exploring where to do a family of 6 hike in the bay area, I stumbled on Mount Tamalpais on Google. I read the previous reviews and absolutely agreed with those that said the drive to the parking lot was an adventure. Long winding roads and views along the way. It was great! I'd like to add that if you have a family of 6 like mine with 4 kids in ages ranging from 3-11 yrs old it's very doable. It was a good challenging hike for our family and took us approximately 22 mins to reach the peak lookout spot from the parking lot. Apart from the great view it was also a good workout and a great way to exert kids energy so they can get a good nights rest afterwards. I highly recommend doing this hike with your family.

I would say the best hike spot in Bay Area area and east bay as well. Breathtaking views. Recommend the loop from Stinson beach. Start from Stinson beach in the early morning and having lunch at Stinson beach, relaxing.

Went for a circular hike starting pantoll campground. Very nice area with a wide variety of scenery. Trails are well maintained, maybe a bit more littering than anticipated, but maybe unavoidable given the amount of traffic. Much busier than expected, recommend arriving early to ensure a parking spot.

Really amazing place to visit. Just make sure you have warm clothes. Good hiking trails and loved the overlook of SF from the top.

Serene, peaceful family friendly easy hikes just within few miles from the city. Perfect day trip get away. Walk among the red woods.

What a gift Mount Tamalpais is to the Bay Area. One can view this majestic mountain from numerous locations. Just last week we were hiking up Mt. Davidson in the city and clearly made out Mount Tamalpais across the bay. The options of hikes to choose from is impressive. Today we chose Steep Ravine & The Dipsea trail. And we climbed a lot. The magnificent views are well worth it. Today we parked at the Pantoll station which had plenty of parking and clean bathrooms. So many gravel riders met up there to begin their rides. I would venture to say that weekends are quite a bit busier. That’s the beauty of retirement.

Enormous views. Exciting drive up on narrow, winding, side of the mountain road.

I'm glad that I finally got to hike Mount Tamalpais. :) My friend and I hiked there back on July 22nd of this year before he moved to Colorado. He's been there plenty of times, but it was my first time there. The hike itself was moderate to some parts a little challenging. Some parts were shaded while some were exposed. I enjoyed seeing the waterfall and climbing the ladder. The bear wooden statue at the visitor center was cute. This is definitely a must if you're into hiking. :)

What a gift Mount Tamalpais is to the Bay Area. One can view this majestic mountain from numerous locations. Just last week we were hiking up Mt. Davidson in the city and clearly made out Mount Tamalpais across the bay. The options of hikes to choose from is impressive. Today we chose Steep Ravine & The Dipsea trail. And we climbed a lot. The magnificent views are well worth it. Today we parked at the Pantoll station which had plenty of parking and clean bathrooms. So many gravel riders met up there to begin their rides. I would venture to say that weekends are quite a bit busier. That's the beauty of retirement.

For review #499 I have decided to give ya'll a doozy! There's a place North of San Fransisco that towers over every building on the West Coast. Heck, it's twice as tall as the tallest building on the west coast (fun fact: the Wilshire Building in Los Angeles stands at 1,099 feet while Mount Tamalpais stands at 2572 feet). North past Sausalito to the west of Mill Valley stands Mount Tamalpais. There are so many entryways towards the summit of Mt. Tam. You can start near the base or drive up some and trek to the summit. There is wildlife, different types of vegetation, you can even see a few different biomes on the way to the top. Thin Forests, thick woodland areas, Karl the Fog may make an appearance earlier in the day and keep it nice and cool. There are some clearings as well where you can see San Fransisco!!! No matter where you decide to hike, I recommend: pack water, some bug spray, a suntan lotion, food or snacks and bring a camera! You're going to want to take a picture at the top! I haven't even mentioned the summit!! There is an actively used firewatch tower at the top. You can see the Pacific Ocean to the west, San Fransisco to the south, Tiburon, Angel Island and the San Pablo Bay to the east, and Novato and Petaluma to the north. Overall; Mount Tamalpais isn't entry level by any means, however, should you pack the essentials and prepare for your journey, it will be a journey you will want to make again and again. Be safe travelers!

We came here to see the outdoor play "Kinky Boots" in the Greek Theatre, I must say it was excellent, the cast was fantastic and great singing voices and so much fun! And the splenders of nature in the background. My besties and my hubby had wonderful time! We brang a picnic lunch and some Champange of course. Just fair warning you only get to sit on big rocks so not comfortable, so bring your own chairs or cushions, we brought blankets and jackets, and it was not good enough. You can rent some bleacher seats there I believe they were $10 per seat. This is also an amazing state park its Nature at its finest. I sat towards the top of Mount Tamalpious, locals say "Mount Tam" I had come here just to watch the sunset, oh yes it was spectacular you need to come here and check it out. Cheers to you SYOY Review #338 07/01/24

Mount Tamalpais State Park is my absolute favorite hiking destination! The trails are breathtaking, and the reward at the top is an incredible view where you find yourself standing above the clouds.

My first hike in San Francisco was here about 10 years ago. It's easy enough for a novice, but fun enough for any avid hiker. It's a jaunt to the top of PCH, and then the views from above are awesome. Very tree filled, not the most amazing views of the ocean or anything, but definitely fun to add to the list of things to do in the area.

My friend and I hiked the Mount Tamalpais West Point Via Nora Trail and Railroad Grade trail. It was a pretty hot Saturday, but most of this trail is shady, so it was bearable! It's a moderately challenging trail, but very well worth it! I personally love shady hikes in the woods and I enjoyed this very much. When we got to the top, instead of completing the loop, we went back down the same way after reading some reviews about how the other way down is steep and full of bugs.

It's very impressive to hear the wind go through the forest on the top of the mountain. How magical and majestic the nature is!

This is another great place to hike as the views are spectacular. As you are hiking the steep portions try to enjoy the clouds and the overall view as it puts you one with nature. The trail allows for a great workout or just a chill time reading a book.

Mt. Tam is one of my favorite places in Marin County. I was lucky to grow up here, and sometimes I forget how incredible our local destinations are because they're "in our backyard," so to speak. Did you know that Tamalpais comes from támal pájiṣ, the indigenous Coast Miwok people's name for the mountain? Translated, that means West Hill. The legend of the Sleeping Lady (another name for Mt. Tam) says that a heartbroken Miwok woman whose lover abandoned her laid down to die on the mountain. The mountain, feeling her intense pain and sorrow as she sobbed, was so moved it changed its form after she died and took on the shape of her body lying on the mountain. I think about that legend every time I look out at Mt. Tam. The Sleeping Lady's silhouette and presence is something I look forward to seeing every time I drive home. When I see her outline, I feel comfort and happiness. There's a lot of fascinating local history on and around Mt. Tam if you know where to look. The Old Railroad Grade trail follows the former path of the gravity train (part of The Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, completed in 1896), designed to transport visitors from the top of the mountain to Muir Woods. It's now popular for mountain biking and hiking. Speaking of hiking, there are over 200 miles of trails for you to explore! It's good to be aware that many trails are not dog-friendly. One Tam (a local organization combining the resources and knowledge of five partnering organizations) has collected all Mt. Tam information, including trail maps, in one place. They're a good resource if you're planning a visit or intend to camp or hike. Some areas for hiking I recommend are East Peak (if it's not too foggy or overcast, the views from the summit offer a 360-degree view of the Bay Area). Cataract Falls (dogs are allowed on leash) is fun in the spring if we've had enough rain. Depending on where you start, it can either be 2.8 miles or a more challenging 5.6 miles. The Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail, and Matt Davis Loop (dogs not allowed) is 6.7 miles, and it's a popular destination for hikers and runners year-round. Stinson Beach to Mount Tamalpais via Matt Davis and Steep Ravine Trail (dogs not allowed) is a beautiful (and very challenging) 15-mile loop trail with lovely views once you leave the beach and navigate the switchbacks. Ridgecrest Boulevard is my favorite part of Mt. Tam. Visitors may recognize it as it's a popular place for filming car commercials. While locals may fly through, creating the experience of your own personal car commercial isn't something I'd recommend, as people have driven off the sides of the road in this section. I've found the rangers helpful and friendly here, and I've enjoyed talking with some of the friendly visitors I've encountered over the years. Mt. Tam is a place where you can have a new and different adventure every time if you choose to do so. For that reason alone, I highly recommend visiting.

Fantastic outdoor music venue! Fortunate that I was able to see The War on Drugs Sunday in this incredible setting! I've never been to Sound Summit before and it was so spectacular. I've been trying to catch WOD for some time and out of the blue they put on an epic show on top of Mt. Tamalpais in the rustic outdoor theater within the state park. What a wonderful show in this most awesome location!

Absolutely breathtaking to say the least. Mount Tamalpais State Park offers a wealth of diverse hiking opportunities. From strenuous treks up to East Peak to easy strolls around Bon Tempe Lake; you will never get bored on your journey through this incredible park. The park encompasses a diverse range of hiking trails that include waterfalls, mountainous peaks, coastal views, Lakeside jaunts, and enchanting treks through Redwood Groves. Many of the trails are easily connectable to other popular nearby parks and beaches such as Muir Woods National Monument, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Stinson Beach, and Muir Beach. The view from Mount Tam is one of the most striking views that you'll find in all of Marin. If you're a camper, the park also has campgrounds available, one of the most popular being Pantoll Campground. My absolute favorite hike within Mount Tam has got to be the Matt Davis-Steep Ravine-Dipsea Loop. It's a very popular trail and most people start in the opposite direction (Dipsea first). But, I find that starting on the Matt Davis trail is not only more secluded, but it can also be a lot more challenging despite not having to trek up the famous Dipsea staircase. I also love this loop because you incline through the shade and come down with the view of the ocean on your way back. It's a win-win in my book. The Steep Ravine trail is my favorite part of this loop hike because it feels like you're in an enchanted forest full of redwoods. It's strikingly green and you can hear the sounds of the stream passing you by as you maneuver your way through the forest. Also, you get to climb down the infamous bridge which is kind of gnarly but also exciting. This part of the trail is very popular and many people tend to linger to smell the fresh air and to soak up the greenery. There are so many trails to choose from in Mount Tam. Can't wait to hike them all someday.

I'm an adventurer at heart and love exploring new places, especially in nature. Mt Tam is simply gorgeous and it's not to be missed for those visiting the Bay Area! The area is huge and you can choose several different trails to go on. I've had my share of climbing different boulders in this area but I'll have to go back soon to experience more of the trails and gorgeous views!

Parking lot just off the 5, with a fresh spring to fill up your water containers just across the street. I went to the clothing option beach Red Rock which is down the trail right beside the sign. I also went to the Deep Ravine trail that's more up the road, across from the gate that says deep ravine, on the side of the turnout with the call box and just a little bit further til you see the sign. The beach was awesome even on a foggy day, i was there by myself for a while until a family and some guys showed up, but on one bothered me at all. Definitely bring hiking shoes for the walk down and hopefully the walk up. There aren't facilities down there either, so prepare! The deep ravine Trail is an out and back trail- you can get a map on all trails, but i used google maps- with a very pretty ladder next to a ravine near the end. I didn't need to use bug spray! Despite the tall grass on the first 0.3 of the walk, I didn't get ticks either. I was running out of daylight so I turned back right at the ladder after snapping some photos, the fog rolls in at night so bring a flashlight to warn cars of your presence on the way back if you didn't get the turn out spot. It all was super pretty, highly recommend stopping here on your way to wherever you're going.

MT tam- it's actually quite a trek to get from the east bay all the way to mt tam and I'm glad I didn't have to drive. There was a long section of windy/curvy road to get to the top where we wanted to hike the verna dunshee trail and the plank trail. It reminds me a bit of driving to Yosemite and I'm not a fan of these type of these drives. We parked at the east peak lot where there was plenty of parking when we arrived 12:30/1pm on a Saturday. There was no one really enforcing the parking fee of $8 but we still felt obligated to pay. There is a little wooden box where you drop off your payment in an envelope that they provide and can rip off the voucher to place in your car. Right before you start on either the verna dunshee trail or the plank trail, There are restrooms available with actual flushable toilets which was nice to have. The verna trail was short and really easy with great views! We liked this quick little loop to warm up our legs before heading up the plank trail. The plank trail was a bit more difficult trek as the majority of the way we had to navigate on the rocky ground to get to the top of the lookout point. Not sure how some of the older folks and young kids did it as I was pretty much huffing and puffing my way to the top. Def bring lots of water as you might need it! But once you get to the top, it feels so nice to sit/relax and enjoy the view of the bay!

Beautiful and expansive park in Marin where you can spend a day or few to explore. With so much greenery you'll be exploring in shaded trails but don't get me wrong as some points with jaw dropping views will surprise you out of your shoes. Plenty of parking locations throughout and a few campsites to spend the night or two if you want to getaway from the hustle and bustle but yet close to home. I come here at least twice a year to hike and train for my running events throughout the year and never has it disappointed me. Mt. Tamalpais has three peaks (West, Middle and East Peak) all are which is easy to get to and with amazing views of the Bay Area. This park is adjacent to Muir Woods so if you plan right you can enjoy Both parks which will make it even a better experience My favorite is the East Peak which you can see the SF Bay and it's beauty.

Beautiful views of the Muir Redwood forest. Moderate hike. Best part of all was that dogs ARE Allowed here vs not at Muir National Park. This was fantastic. A short drive from San Fran on the scenic Highway. The trees were truly Magestic and a sight to see.

One of my favorite places in the Bay Area! If you're looking for a moderately challenging hike, I recommend the Mount Tamalpais East Peak via Matt Davis to Rock Spring Loop trail (8.7 mile loop), which you can find on AllTrails. It starts you off at the Pantoll Campround, where parking is $8 (make sure to bring cash). The views are gorgeous throughout the hike, but nothing beats the stunning view from the East Peak - you can see the entire Bay! We've also encounted a good amount of wildlife in the park, including a very large coyote. If you're looking to skip the long hike, you can also drive up to the Verna Dunshee trail and reach East Peak in under a mile. Will absolutely return!

It's 0930 and the park service has not opened West Ridgecrest Boulevard, which was supposed to open at 0900.

Decided to go to Verna Dunshee trail which is a great family friendly trail. It's pretty much flat the whole walk and only 0.7 miles, but you're still able to see breathtaking views. There's lots of benches on the trail if you do need to rest. It's so cool that you're actually walking above the clouds! Cash is only accepted here for parking. $8 per car for adults and $7 per car for seniors. It's self pay so bring exact change. There are also bathrooms which were surprisingly pretty clean.

Strap up your hiking shoes, grab your water bottles, & get ready for a grown person's hike! Fair share of bikers and hikers getting their sweat on together, and with so many paths on this trail site you can go multiple times and see something new. Choose your own adventure vibe. This review wouldn't be complete without talking about the views, at the top above the clouds. It's a view well earned!

East peak has award winning panoramic views of the SF bay. If you want a challenge, hike up to it from Mountain Home Inn. If trudging up steep mountainsides isn't your cup of tea, drive up to the parking lot at the top and enjoy the vista without breaking a sweat. Arriving at a parking lot at the end of a long, arduous hike uphill is indeed anti-climactic as well as humorous. Be warned the water is turned off at the top; likely due to drought restrictions. Bring ample hydration and accoutrements. If the above doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, Mt. Tam has plenty of options. There are lots of pullouts along the panoramic highway that are great for watching the sunset over Stinson Beach and seemingly endless trail options.

Went on a nice long hike today at mount Tam. The ranger recommended a scenic route. Over 7 miles on the Matt Davis trail from Pantoll station to Stinson Beach and then back on the dip sea trail back to Pantoll station. Lots of plants in bloom and beautiful views of the ocean and nature. Saw a rattlesnake too. There are many microclimates during this hike. Be sure to get there early at 9am or earlier because it gets very crowded. On this hike I recommend being at least moderately fit and definitely have comfortable hiking shoes. Lots of up and down hills with some steep places. Fantastic place to hike and this time of year is absolutely beautiful.

Located 60 miles to the north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais has some of the most gorgeous views that Bay offers. Its highest point, East Peak, sits above the clouds, ensuring that the view of the sunset is clear even on foggy days. Watching sunset above the golden shades of clouds is exquisite

This review is for Alice Eastwood Group Campground in Mt. Tamalpais. Getting there: The gate to the campground can be easily missed along Panoramic Highway...it's just a small gate with a combination lock. Be on the lookout since GPS may not give the exact location (but close). There was no typical camp ranger to check in with. No wood for sale on the group sites. Great bathrooms, even water fountains and sinks at both sites. Very little poison ivy was seen on Site B, safe for kids. Very leveled spots for tents. But it's a steep hill to hike to get onto site B, so be prepared to hike your things up. May be very difficult for older people and small children. There are big crows around and meat bees which fly around the picnic area incessantly looking for their chance to devour camp food or trash. Bathroom: All it needs here is a shower, but no shower. Hikers were seen morning and afternoon as there are trails all around including one that passes alongside the camp. Some hikers saw our bathroom and just helped themselves which was unexpected, but not a big deal. Great experience overall, very peaceful and quiet. Beautiful Anna Swallowtail butterflies all around! A great getaway!

One of the top hiking destinations in the Bay Area, honestly we are so spoiled with all the beautiful trails we have access to. My friends and I needed some much needed girl time so what better way to catch up then to go in a hike. COME EARLY! I spent over an hour trying to find parking, I finally got lucky as someone pulled on the side of the hill and I was able to fit into their spot. We took the Dipsea trail which was just over 7 miles of beautiful views, a very diverse trails filled with a lot of greenery and trees but also some exposed spaces where the sun is baring down on you. Things things you need to do 1.WEAR SUNSCREEN 2. BRING A HAT 3. BRING PLENTY OF WATER AND SNACKS 4. WEAR SHOES WITH GRIP Do those things and you'll be fine. I didn't even notice how long the trials was because everything is just so gorgeous, you're constantly surrounded by beauty at each turn. Honestly, you need to come here. People are very friendly too, everyone says hi and people were more than happy to help take group photos of my friends and I. Definitely check this place out, I'll see you there!

If you are looking for a place to go on a challenging hike, immerse yourself amongst trees, and witness the beauty of naturally flowing streams and waterfalls, this might be the place for you. We went on the Alpine Trail, which is supposed to take you around 3 hours to complete (circle back to the parking lot). But of course, we went off track and took way longer. Anywho, the Alpine Trail has some serious inclines and can be challenging. But, you're going to witness some beautiful nature. Note: There is a parking fee in the main parking lot.

Dipsea Trail- at the top of the trails pictures can not compare to the eyes view in person, not even a panoramic picture. Dipsea is one of the longer, harder and maybe a bit dangerous trails, but so worth it! I hiked the 7.5 mile trail it took about 3.5 hrs with limited stops. There were beautiful man made wooden steps, bridges and even handrails one some parts. For the most part, there were very narrow pathways that were very slippery with many tree roots you have to trek through. If you slip, you will fall into water, rocks or trees. There are many tree they I you have to walk under as well as a man made wooden ladder to climb up or done depending which dipsea trail you have chosen. The trail is not just beautiful at the top, but throughout. I love this trail because you get to experience the man made steps at parts, beautiful trees, the cold and wet feel when in the shady trees, the warm sun on your face when the sun can peek through certain parts of the trail, sunny parts where it is the dry dirt ground with bushes and grass to the amazing Stinson beach ocean view where certain parts have sites to the city. This trail has everything in nature you can ask for!!! Unlike some hikes being very dry or all greenery only. I am planning on going back to hike the shorter ocean view trail just for the scenery when it gets warmer. The trail that we hiked started near the fire station and town with some houses and cafes. We stopped by the Parkside Cafe and their Sourdough pizza was sooo delicious!!!! It was within a walk. Safer to walk through the trail than along the highway. The drive up was very windy and long, about 20 min from the next town below. Very worth it! A lot of people were at the beach even in early January when it was only in the 60's. Can't wait to go back.

Sometimes we forget to explore what's "right in our backyard". But do not let this gorgeous mountain escape your to-adventure list. With endless views, hikes and surprises - I'm ready to head back up the rolling hills already. You can discover waterfalls, bridges, sunrises and sunsets... just watch out for that sneaky fog. This is the perfect first, or 100th date spot. Hike or drive your way up ... there's something for everyone. See you soon Mt. Tam! Ps. See the photos for a beautiful *accessible* trail that's easy to drive to!

One of the best hikes I have ever done. It was petty easy until the last half mile to the top, it was super rocky. The view was so worth it, we hiked a total of 8.5 miles. We got there at around 9am, not too many people. It took us about 3 hours. The weather was perfect, this hike is a must. We will be back for sure

Just everything was so peaceful and quiet all you can hear is the water and it's very easy to get down to the waterfall about 15 minutes and you're there .

TRAILS: Nature is my therapy and the beauty of God inspires me . We have hiked here twice in the past month and it's been tough but worth the views! Lots of redwoods, views of the Pacific Ocean and the freshest air possible. We parked at Pantoll and took Old Mine Trail to Dipsea then we turn south and hiked all the way down and down lots and lots of stairs ! Stunning and breath taking but did 30 floors and over 15k in steps. The next time we went north at Dipsea trail all the way into the beautiful forest down lots of stairs and we move we got to steep ravine trail we hiked back up to Pantoll. It was grueling. 40 floors and over 16k in steps!! Love coming here it's tough grueling but super worth it ... check it out next time you're in Marin!

Coming to Mt.Tamalpais never fails for such beautiful breath taking views, I always feel at peace coming here. Even on a VERY foggy day, I always laugh because I thought my bf was going that foggy days are the best days to come here, but he is very much right. Although at ground level there may be so much fog, once you drive to the top to the mountain, it is nothing but clouds, clear blue skies and a sunset waiting to happen. The roads on the way to the mountain are very narrow and windy so be careful driving! Nothing better than silence, cool breeze, clouds rolling into the trees, and an orange beaming sunset.

Mt. Tam, as the locals lovingly call it, is a treasure trove of hiking and biking trails, camping grounds, protected wetlands, scenic waterfalls,etc. It is Marin county's highest peak at over 2500 feet and even though San Francisco has steep hills, SF residents have adopted Mt. Tam as their own playground on any given warm day. With its proximity to the city, you just need to drive 20 minutes (from the Presidio) and you're immediately removed from the urban life. Outdoor lovers can go hiking or bike the 60 trails here (classic routes are: Matt Davis, Steep Ravine and the Dipsea trail), pack a picnic and enjoy lush scenery and the foggy SF skyline, camp under the Redwoods or above the surf. I come here for the towering redwood trees, grassy ridgeline, admire the numerous California poppies come spring time and to breathe in that fresh mountain air. AHHH. I can't get that from a Febreeze bottle! Remember to pack up your own trash and leave nothing but footprints.

Mount Tamalpais State Park has been on my radar for some time. My boyfriend and I finally got to visit the park! My goal was to see the ladder! My boyfriend and I have been trying to hike or walk every Sunday. Let's see how long we can keep it up! I've been getting into working out again! ALWAYS double-check the parks website for any alerts and updates on trails. Weather is always changing and sometimes, you might not even be able to hike the trail you want to due to a closure! Anyways, my boyfriend and I specifically went to Mount Tam to see the ladder. We drove to the Pantoll Ranger Station. From there, we paid for parking ($8) and asked the Ranger what route should we take to see the ladder. He told us to take the Old Mine loop. The Old Mine loop is a 6 mile round-trip trail. It took my boyfriend about 3 hours. Our first half of the hike was pretty easy. When starting the trail, the Old Mine loop was on our left hand side. It was more of a trail. There wasn't really any steep inclines in the beginning of our hike. During our second half of the hike, I was dying. Once the hike started getting harder for me, you know that you are getting closer. There were LOTS of stairs, but beautiful creeks and waterfalls! The hike was definitely pretty tough, but I am happy that we finished the whole loop and was able to see the ladder! I loved the trail!!

Hiked to the top of Mount Tamalpais on Monday morning 11/21/2022 with the whole family. Easily doable by a 6 year old and only 0.3 miles uphill from the parking lot. Visitor center was closed, but restrooms available at the lot. Gorgeous panoramic views at the top! Can't miss this.

We parked at Pantoll Campground ($8 for parking) and hiked Dipsea Trail down to Stinson Beach, and took the Steep Ravine trail back to the car (for a total of 7-8 miles). I like this hike because we only hiked about 1 mile on the same trail, the rest of it was more like a loop. The way back up on Steep Ravine had more shade and running water along most of the way. There was also a fun ladder to climb. I see many young children on the trail so it's a good hike for people aged 8 and up

I've came here a few times and did several hikes. The park itself is easy to navigate and also easy to get lost. There is not much parking, but if you go at the right times, there will be plenty. So many trails to pick from and you can literally spend all day there and want to come back for more. I've been a handful of time and I have yet to see it all. Cataract Falls is an easy one with kids and fun for the family. One of my favorite trails is the Verna Dunshee Trail! East peak is very rewarding with views of the bay area. Tennessee trail leads to a hidden beach. Something more strenuous, check out the hike to Mountain House Inn. Drive or walk, there is plenty to see here! If you're lucky, there are days the fog will roll in and you'll get some unique photos! They even have some ADA friendly areas.

A must see park here in the Bay Area. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore. In my opinion, spring is the perfect time to visit. The weather was just perfect for us and we get to enjoy the wild flowers. We started from East Peak and explored the area and we drove around the park and ended up in the Alpine lake area. It was a gorgeous drive and so many places to stop and take pictures or just simply enjoy the view. What are you waiting for? Come and visit Mt. Tam! You'll be glad you did.

Beautiful park. I took a nap in a grassy meadow overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I'll never forget that nap.

Wow - I definitely waited too long to visit Mt. Tam. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! I drove up this past Saturday morning and arrived right before noon. The drive up isn't too bad, but be sure to drive cautiously since there are a lot of bikers. I planned to park at Pantoll station ($8 parking) but they had a "lot full" sign out. I turned right instead and there were many cars parked along the roadside. Luckily, we found a spot and it was free! I did my research beforehand and decided I wanted to go on the 6.7 mile loop consisting of 3 different trails. If you go to the Pantoll station, you will see the trailheads for most of the trails, as well as public restrooms, water fountains, and benches. I started off on the Steep Ravine trail. This trail consisted of a ladder you have to climb down. There was also a waterfall! I continued on to Dipsea Trail which has a more open scenery with a great ocean view. At the end, there are signs to guide you to the Matt Davis trail which requires you to cross a road and turn right after you pass the fire station. I decided to walk to the beach before which was about a 5 minute walk away from Matt Davis trailhead. There, I enjoyed my first visit to Stinson Beach and had my lunch. We headed back up on Matt Davis after (3.6 miles). The elevation gain was definitely challenging but it made for a great workout! As soon as the scenery changes to more dry open land, you'll have about a mile left to go. Make sure you bring lots of water and wear shoes you wouldn't mind getting muddy, as the marine layer made some portions of the trail muddy. Also, make sure to bring a mask! It was pretty busy and I had to wait for people to pass by since it can get narrow and you cannot social distance. I was done at about 4:30pm, so without any breaks, I would say this is a little more than a 3 hour round trip. I had a great time and I look forward to visit again!

Bla bla bla. It has great view to the bay. Bla bla bla and again bla bla bla. One last time, bla bla bla.

View from the top is just breathtaking and speechless! I arrived at the park around 8:30AM and the parking was empty and it get busy around noon. The road driving up here is really hard and sometimes scary due to no boarder or fence on the way up to the park. Make sure you bring $8 cash for parking. There are several trails in here but the best view is drive all the way up and you will reached the top without much walk. I didn't get a chance to tried other trails as I was interesting the view from the top. We took some nice pictures up there while enjoying the sun and picnic table near the parking lot. I will definitely be back to try other trails especially the one near the lake and waterfall.

Loved hiking this place. You want get some fresh air in the edge ? It's here! I recommend toPhotographers

There is so much to do and see around Mount Tamalpais. A day trip here is nice but to really see and experience everything there is to offer would take more time. On one end there is Stinson Beach. It's a great beach. Nice eateries and plenty of parking is available free of charge. Best to come early because it does get full quickly. From Stinson Beach there is a trail that is about 12 miles that will go all the way to the Redwoods. There is a fee for a certain part of the State Park. Being that I was hiking we didn't go in the paid area since we were on a mission to complete the long hike. But between the views of the beach from the mountain, to the beautiful old giant sized redwood trees, Mount Tamalpais provides a nice variety of scenery. Along with plenty activities for every age group and families.

There is so much of Mount Tampalpais I have not seen but this remains one of my top 5 favorite CA state parks. I must not be alone in that thought, since it's usually a very busy area with parking sometimes hard to come by. Don't be fooled by its proximity to civilization-many of the trails here are steep, terrain is rough and the same care you'd take in any wilderness area applies. Living in the East Bay, I come to the Mountain for the forests, redwoods, streams and misty hillsides. The California state parks pass works for day use parking at their campground lots such as Pantoll and Bootjack as well as other pay lots-otherwise be aware that some areas do require a day use fee. I've written other reviews for many of these sites separately, but my go to hikes generally originate from the Pantoll camping area. From here I've done the Steep Ravine & Dipsea trails as well as the long loop via the Matt Davis Trail to Stinson Beach. There are hikes that can take you down the back way to Muir Woods and there is the ever popular Cataract Falls trail that is closer to the town of Fairfax. Hikers have so many wonderful options to choose from and rangers at the campground sites have been very helpful in suggesting routes for your skill set and miles you wish to hike. Every season brings a different look to the mountain with wildflowers in the spring, dry brown hills in summer, crisp fall colors and rushing streams and banana slugs in the wet weather. I hope to hike other trails than my usual favorites and explore this park some more. Follow them on social media where they have various hikes, nature talks and events for all ages and abilities-they will tell you what type of skills and audience their programs are for. Truly a gem in the State Parks system.

Search pantoll campground parking on google maps to find where the trail heads are! The trail we took was not a casual backyard hike. While there were well-defined trails, there was quite some uphill and downhill involved. Having arrived around 3pm to the park on a Saturday, we opted for the shortest trail (~3 miles supposedly 1.5 hrs to finish) which was a loop that started along the old land mine to the dipsea trail which is partially exposed to a fantastic open view of the ocean. After that it rounds into some tall woods and down onto the steep ravine trail which follows a creek; a lot of shade as you can imagine which is probably great for a hot day. We started going uphill after crossing a few bridges and halfway on this trail there was a ladder to climb up. Eventually we ascended back to ground level around 5pm. We went at a leisurely pace with only 1 long break and a few water/picture breaks, and ended up sweating towards the end which was great as it was freezing (from the wind) when we started. Make sure you layer up and bring water! Some areas were muddy as it rained a few days ago, but easy to get around. Paths were slightly narrow at some parts but not too dangerous or scary. My only qualm is how rotten some of the trees look (holes, mossy, black bark); there were some old fallen trees that we had to bend under to get pass. I know this isn't something that can be fixed, but it just makes me feel slightly uneasy to have seen so many fallen trees. The trails I've hiked in Maine were less obvious and the trees and plant life looked less dead and much more healthy but I can't complain--nature is beautiful regardless. Anyway, it was a satisfying hike with a variety of views and difficulty. I hope to try out the other trails someday as well!

Gathered a group of 10 and made our way to Mount Tamalpais State Park around 10am Saturday morning. We parked across the street from the Mountain Home Inn. Most of our group was lucky and got parking but some members were not so lucky and had to circle around and eventually got street parking. Our group did about 3.5 miles to a fallen tree, crafted into a bridge, that funnels into a little water fall. The hike is nice, it was not too busy but the stairs back are pretty rough. Have fun!

I arrived to Pantoll Campground 11:30am on a Sunday and there was still plenty of parking. There was also an employee at the post to direct you. I have a CA state park pass that I just placed on my dashboard. From the parking lot, I took the Steep Ravine Trail down that connects to Dipsea Trail. The terrain changes from magical woodland forest to an open grassland. You finally pop out to a road and you cross it, along with several houses. I was at Stinson Beach around 12:45pm. I took Matt Davis Trail up to Pantoll Campground. I was back in my car around 2:30pm, so the roundtrip was 3 hrs. Highly recommend!