Oak Manor, Smith Ridge, Sunrise and Old Railroad Grade Loop

This San Rafael neighborhood trail is quite popular, but there is plenty of room for everyone and the parking is easy. After you park at the trailhead, you walk (or bike) up a relatively short and steep path that takes you to the beginning of the trail.  This hike takes you along a scenic ridge through the Terra Linda Open Space Preserve and provides a number of different offshoots and spur tr...

For this scenic loop, start at the Corner of Broadway Blvd and Bolinas Rd. Head north on Broadway until it connects with Sir Francis Drake Blvd ("SFD"). Take SFD / Marin County Bicycle Rte 20 northwest until it connects with Nicasio Valley Rd at Maurice Thorner Memorial Preserve. Take a right and head northwest on Nicasio Valley Rd. This stretch will take you around Nicasio Reservoir toward Pt....

Are you tired of crowds on your hikes? First, shame on you for getting up so late and moving so slowly. Did you really need Philz before you got on the trail? Ok, now that you’ve been thoroughly chastised, let’s start planning a hike to the less-frequented Carson Falls. Like any of the falls in Marin, they’re obviously gushing after a big storm, but you can enjoy them most of the year anyway. ...

Roy's Redwoods Preserve is an easily missed pocket of Redwoods off Nicasio Valley Road in Marin County. Don't miss it: heading North on Sir Francis Drake Blvd turn right onto Nicasio Valley Rd--the gate for this little park is about a half mile up on the right. From the main entrance you enter a meadow, from which you can choose a number of shaded paths that bring you deeper into the redwoods--...

Enjoy the peacefulness of making it out to the lake for a quick hike without worrying too much about challenging climbs or difficult terrain. Take the wide fire road from the car uphill and then jump on the Phoenix Lake Trail. From here, you’ll combine this trail with the Gertrude Orr and Bill Williams trails. Make sure you get here early on nice days or weekends. The parking lot holds about 2...

Buck Gulch Falls (also known as Fairway Falls) is an easy, scenic hike that takes you through a beautiful forest on your way to a 15-foot waterfall. This little neighborhood treasure is tucked away in Novato, CA at the end of Fairway Drive and there is ample parking near the trailhead.  If you visit after some rain, you'll need to cross the creek in two different areas (or try your luck crossi...