Travel Guide: 24 Hours in Marin County California
Rumor has it California Road Trips are going to be popular in the coming months. Perfect! Our entire state is made for Road Tripping, and Marin County is a natural — and totally essential — destination on the quintessential California Itinerary. Read on for Marin Hotels top recommendations for a 24 hour visit to our beautiful county.
24 Hours in Marin County California
Perfect for a Bay Area Staycation in Marin County or a Marin stop as part of a longer California Road Trip, we’ve created the essential 24 hour itinerary for your consideration.
You’ll notice we focus on nature and outdoor activities in Marin —that’s where the county really shines! When you visit Marin, you’re in for stunning views, miles of hiking trails and coastline, and the peaceful feeling that only nature can bring. The vast majority of Marin County is comprised of protected open space and farmland — about 80% of the county — and that is the defining feature of Marin County: the unspoiled beauty in all of that open space.
For this 24 Hour itinerary, we’ve included a few famous highlights and few off-the-beaten track destinations, but have avoided high time commitment locations like Muir Woods and Angel Island. We’ll include those on our 48 and 72 hour itineraries, so be sure to check back here.
A couple of notes:
—If you follow this itinerary starting your day in Marin at around 10am, you’ll be ready for check-in at your hotel around 4pm.
—Download this map and the driving directions before you head out, since cell service is spotty on Mt. Tam. Also we’ve baked some shortcuts into the map, locals’ knowledge for you!
Onward!
Hello! Welcome To Marin!
We cannot think of a more delightful way to start your day in Marin County than a stroll along the Tennessee Point Trail in the Marin Headlands, just a scootch North of the Golden Gate Bridge. Plan on about an hour for this out and back along the coast.
Expand Your View
Marin County has lots of places where you truly feel your spot on the edge of the continent, and you’ll experience one of the best when you travel about 35 minutes to Muir Beach Overlook.
Lunch Above the Beach
May we suggest that you pack a picnic at home or stop along the way for something easy to pop into your bag because we’re setting you up for lunch with a view on Mt. Tamalpais. This little spot on West Ridgecrest Boulevard (aka Mt. Tam Hang Gliding and Paragliding Launch B on google maps) is about a 25 minute drive from Muir Beach Overlook and a perfect place to position yourself for a sky-high view of Stinson Beach from rolling hills of Mt. Tam.
There aren’t any facilities here, just some trees for shade and good perching rocks. Oh, and you might see hang gliders taking off since this is a launch spot.
Ready for More?
You’re already on Mt. Tam, and about a 10 minute drive from your picnic spot there’s a hike that we think you’ll like: the Coastal Trail on Mt. Tamlpais. It’s a stroll really! You may not feel like doing the whole 8.2 round trip, so just walk awhile to enjoy the view and then turn around and head back.
Check-In Time at Your Marin Hotel!
You’ve earned some downtime! You’ll head to charming downtown Mill Valley if you’re staying at the Mill Valley Inn. To Tiburon by the Bay if you’re staying at Waters Edge Hotel. And near Sausalito for Acqua Hotel.
Dinner in Marin
In Tiburon, we love Salt & Pepper and Luna Blu on Main Street. In downtown Mill Valley, Playa. And super close Acqua Hotel, we recommend Antica.
The next Day: Sausalito
Check out our Sausalito Travel Guide for Sausalito ideas and inspiration. Please check with all of the shops, activities, and restaurants in Sausalito before you head out since restrictions are gently easing over the next few weeks.
And that completes your 24 hours in Marin County! Please Come back agin!
See you out there!
