Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park
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Beautiful state park north of San Francisco.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
449 reviews
Excellent
371
Very good
70
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Homecroft56
Nineveh, IN462 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Wonderful views of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Mountain road and sharp curves to get to the top - worth the drive.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davigeta
Saint Louis, MO1,088 contributions
May 2023
It's a fairly long drive to this state park, with a nice view of San Francisco Bay. There is an observatory at the top, but the road there was closed. We stopped at a turnout an took some nice photos, but that was it. Likely worth it, but it is a shame there is not more to do there.
Written 25 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace C
Folsom, CA11 contributions
Jan 2023
Visited on a sunny Saturday this January. Amazing views from the East Peak. The state park map is large, so I was a bit overwhelmed on where to go. I would advise driving to two places, the East Peak where you can park and walk a nice paved loop around the peak, with stunning views of SF. And Trojan Point, there is a dirt parking lot to the side, leads to a narrow dirt path on the side of green rolling hills with Amazon views of the ocean! Other details- about 1.5 hr from Walnut Creek, mainly due to windy road up to the mountain from Mill Valley. There is no fee into the park, only three parking areas that charge fees (East Peak, Pantoll, and Bootjack).
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Life traveller
North East England, UK3,809 contributions
Aug 2022
We drove to the car park (where there is a small fee, to be placed in an honesty box), where there are rest rooms and water aviable. We took the fairly steep rocky path to the top of the East Peak, which took about 15-20 minutes, sometimes fairly rugged going (although I have bad vertigo, and was never worried going up or down).
The panoramic views are stunning at the top, so the climb is really worth it. We were lucky that our day was clear, and the unique vista of San Francisco was a special treat. A great afternoon, and highly recommended.
The panoramic views are stunning at the top, so the climb is really worth it. We were lucky that our day was clear, and the unique vista of San Francisco was a special treat. A great afternoon, and highly recommended.
Written 28 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasman79
Phoenix, AZ171 contributions
Jul 2022
Recently visited and hiked for 2 days in the Redwoods. Breathtaking scenery and excellent trails! Must do!
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lena K
Fullerton, CA429 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
It was very foggy when we started our drive up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais East Peak. By the time we reached the peak, no more fog, only beautiful weather.
The views were spectacular. There are several hiking trails (we saw several people leave for hikes).
The views were spectacular. There are several hiking trails (we saw several people leave for hikes).
Written 28 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelo
North Myrtle Beach, SC33 contributions
Nov 2021
Amazing views of San Francisco. Easy to hard trails to choose from. Various locations to hike giving you great parking options.Try to get to the ridge trail going down to Muir Beach.
Written 25 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller_123
San Francisco, CA845 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Absolutely stunning and worth all the drive. Try to get there early to ensure you don’t have to hurry. Choose an odd pay with less traffic.
Written 10 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunjoe075
Princeton, NJ1,509 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
One of the best hiking experiences: trail with shades, flexible trail length, drastic changes in elevation (73 floors according to iwatch). Exception views of the beach (Muir Beach) and mount range.
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA7,742 contributions
Apr 2021
This area is north of the Marin Headlands and the Muir Woods. We drove all around on the Panoramic Highway down to Stinson Beach. Many of the roads are very narrow and have sharp curves. The main thing to do in this park are countless numbers of hikes you can do, many from the woods / mountains all the way down to either Muir Beach or to Stinson Beach.
Written 8 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExplorerSB
Bellevue, Washington685 contributions
Hi, we are planning a day trip to Mount Tamalpais State Park. Interested in scenery and any short walks/hikes (2-3 miles) to see wildflowers.Any suggestions?
Mark D
Weatherford, TX663 contributions
You are fast approaching God's annual wildflower show. Mt. Tam is filled with trails, and a map is usually available at the ranger station. Even on foggy days, you can usually reach the sun well before the summit. Dress in layers. It can be quite chilly, but warmer in sunny areas that are out of the wind. Have fun!
tiffanyluong
Los Angeles, CA
Hi Curt, great photos! Do you remember where you got these amazing vistas? Was it on the road to Bolinas you mentioned?
Rap K
San Francisco, CA15 contributions
No, it was on the Cataract Trail. The road to Bolinas is also very scenic, and I encourage exploring that too. I was fortunate to go at a time when we were having record rainfall.
T204raveler
Saint Paul, MN154 contributions
Here is my question: If you only had time to visit one, Muir Woods or Mt. Tam. which would you choose?
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
wdlander
Post Falls, Idaho893 contributions
Mir woods would be my first choice because of access and the big trees. If you want a long, good hike. Mt. Tam
Hi Guys, I want to park at the visitor center in the early morning so that I can catch the sunrise from the East peak. Can I access the Visitor center parking lot before the center opens as long as I have cash? Just want to ensure that I can park there early.
Thank you
Tony P
North Andover, MA351 contributions
Or you could drive up to the "back end" by the Mountain View Inn and park for free. Great sunrises from there as well.
Ohmy_Beautiful_World
New York City, NY5 contributions
Hi there. I will be in SF this Sunday (Jan 24), arriving late in the day, and before heading south to Pacific Grove and then further south on Highway 1, I'd like to spend Monday hiking/touring north of SF. Ideally, I would somehow get in Muir Woods, Mt Tam, Sausalito and a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
What would you suggest be my itinerary on Monday to best experience these?
I will be driving from SF by car. My understanding is that Muir Woods parking lots get crowded, so best to come as early as possible. So I was thinking:
1) get to Muir Woods early (park opens at 8am, get to parking lot by 7:30ish?). How much time to spend here?
2) M Tam - what is the best way to experience? Drive? Hike? Which trails best to drive or hike?
3) Sausalito - park and explore, then cross the bridge as far as can and walk back. Aim to to do this around sunset time, which is a 5:25PM on Monday
4) head back to SF
Please let me know what you think - thanks!
Marti M
New York277 contributions
Sounds like a great plan. Yes, we found the Muir Woods parking lot fills up quickly, so getting there by 8 am is a good idea. Depending on how much you want to hike in (the paths are wonderful, much is actually Boardwalk!) plan an hour or two there. Stop at their cafe for an early lunch (don't know their hours) it is nestled beautifully in the woods. Drive through Mt. Tam park it's lots of stops for oohs and ahhs. Parking at the observatory was limited. Walk across th GG is L O N G, so be prepared. But do enjoy Sausaliti first!
DebNewJersey
New Jersey1 contribution
Where can I get a beer ands sandwich?
Jeannier801
Mill Valley, CA63 contributions
The tourist club on the sun trail is one place. Sometimes they have food at the West Point Inn but Id suggest buying a sandwich in Mill valley and bringing it on your hike. Mill valley market makes excellent sandwhiches. Or if you want to include Stinson Beach in you hike try the Parkside
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Claim your listingMOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Tamalpais State Park
- Hotels near Mount Tamalpais State Park:
- (0.04 km) Quaint cottage with nature, redwoods, Pacific ocean & bay view
- (0.24 km) Mountain Home Inn
- (0.55 km) Idyllic Mill Valley garden cottage next to Muir Woods
- (2.34 km) Mill Valley Inn
- (5.56 km) Sandpiper Lodging at the Beach
- Restaurants near Mount Tamalpais State Park:
- (0.24 km) Mountain Home Inn
- (2.45 km) Piazza D'angelo Restaurant
- (2.49 km) Mill Valley Market
- (8.74 km) Fred's Coffee Shop
- (6.14 km) Buckeye Roadhouse
- Attractions near Mount Tamalpais State Park:
- (1.64 km) Muir Woods National Monument
- (1.78 km) Tom's Muir Woods Walking Tours
- (12.92 km) Golden Gate Bridge
- (6.35 km) Seaplane Adventures
- (4.97 km) Muir Beach Overlook