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Welcome to our blog. We're Marin Hotels, a collection of boutique hotels in Marin County California. Perched Bayside or nestled amongst the Redwoods, guests at our hotels immerse in Marin's famous natural environment at each of our properties.

Join us as we share our adventures, insights, and insider tips about this special place. We hope you find some inspiration for a wonderful visit to the county and of course we hope to see you at one of our hotels.

There's so much to do here. You're going to want to say awhile!

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Rock On: The Rare Rocks and Petroglyphs of Tiburon

Here’s one for all of the geology-lovers, rock-lovers, and open-space lovers: Ring Mountain Preserve on the Tiburon Peninsula. This spot is a staff favorite at Waters Edge Hotel in Tiburon and it’s a bit of a hidden gem, so naturally we want to share!

Staff Shout-Out: Anna Marten, when she’s not running Waters Edge Hotel, is hiking around Marin. She inspired us to share this special spot, and captured the beautiful image at the top of this post. Thanks Anna!

This is not one of our much-loved Flat Hikes of Marin. No matter which way you approach it, you’re in for a steep climb. But wow when you get up there, worth it! Mars-like landscape. Vast open space. Views of the San Francisco skyline. And those rare rocks and flowers.

Bay Nature Magazine characterizes the spot in bit of poetic geology:

“The rocks underneath the hiker’s feet have been squeezed and folded, smashed and pushed, chemically altered and physically tortured. Indeed, the geologic story of Ring Mountain is probably among the most violent of the entire Bay Area. Scientists believe that most of the rocks underlying this modest 602-foot-high “mountain” once lay at the bottom of an ocean, and beginning about 165 million years ago, they were driven many dozens of miles into the earth’s mantle in a process called subduction—only later to be pushed back up to the surface, displaying the scars of their voyage into the fiery cauldron deep inside our planet.”

The entirety of the Bay Nature Magazine article is worth a read.

AND PETROGLYPHS!

Getting There: The main trailhead is on Paradise Drive east of Corte Madera. Take the Paradise Drive exit from Hwy. 101. Just past Westwood Drive is a small sign on the right for Ring Mountain. Park along the road. There are no facilities. Or continue along Paradise Drive for another half mile and turn right on Taylor Road. There is limited parking at the end of Taylor Road.

See you out there!

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Travel Guide: Marin County Waterfall Hikes

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Marin County Is One Of The Most Beautiful Places On Earth!