Marin Sports and Outdoors Events

In a county famed for its outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of events to that celebrate the great outdoors, whether its sports or events that help save the environment.

Playing Pickleball with a Higher Purpose

On September 23, pickleball players held court to benefit Beyond Differences, a Marin nonprofit which inspires youth to create cultures of belonging in their schools across the country. The inaugural, sold-out pickleball event, Pickle with Purpose, featured a lively tournament plus other fun additions such as a taco and margarita bar. Photos: courtesy of Beyond Differences

Sound Summit Rocks Mt. Tam Once Again

Sound Summit, the intimate annual festival staged high above San Francisco Bay, returned to Mount Tam’s historic Mountain Theater on September 9 for a perfect day of stellar music and gorgeous weather amongst a stunning backdrop. The blissful crowd was treated to performances from cosmic folk-rock storytellers Lord Huron, spellbinding Americana songstress Sierra Ferrell, captivating modern-day troubadour Kevin Morby and Marin County’s own beloved funkmasters Vinyl. High-spirited emcees included KNBR radio personalities Murph & Mac and KPFA’s “Dead to the World” host Tim Lynch. Sound Summit provided $250,000 to Mount Tam and funded the restoration of the Steep Ravine Trail earlier this year. Photos: Ken Viale, Alan Scheckter

A Challenging Hike for Good

130 kids and their parents took advantage of the sunny weather on April 23 to take part in the fifth annual Children for Change Challenge. Starting in downtown San Anselmo, the group hiked to the top of Bald Hill in a show of solidarity for Marin’s kids to make the world a better place through participating in advocacy and volunteer activities. Afterwards, all hikers celebrated at a block party with food, music and advocacy activities hosted by partner organizations Multicultural Center of Marin, Homeward Bound, Cedars and others. Photos: courtesy of Children for Change

WildCare’s Family Nature Day 

WildCare‘s annual Family Nature Day on March 25 at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Tiburon drew in more than 300 animal lovers of all ages. Along with fostering a love and appreciation of nature and wildlife. Kids took part in “Mrs. T Nature Scavenger Hunt,” to learn more about birds and how they fly, plus came face to face with WildCare’s live Wildlife Ambassador animals, including Milo the opossum and Mohave the desert tortoise. Event partners included Marin County Open Space, Marin Humane, the Marine Mammal Center, One Tam and Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. Photos: Hannah Menth for WildCare 

Year of the Rabbit Paddle Race

The San Rafael Creek was hopping on January 21, as nearly 50 racers on SUPs, surfskis, outrigger canoes, prone paddleboards and kayaks—many of whom were decked out in rabbit ears—took to the waters for 101 Surf Sports’ Year of the Rabbit Race. It marked the first race of 2023 for 101 Surf Sports’ yearly winter racing series, attracting both experienced athletes and novices alike. The day’s top honors went to two brothers from the River Town Racers of Petaluma, Zachary and Petri Alva, who finished #1 and #2 on the long course in K1 kayaks.

The Presidio Tunnel Tops Opening: Celebrating a World-Class Park With Stunning Views in San Francisco 

On July 17, thousands of visitors from all over the Bay Area trekked out to the Presidio to be the first to see the highly anticipated, years-in-the-making Tunnel Tops — a new, 14-acre stretch of public parkland built atop the two tunnels leading to and from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Opening day at the Presidio Tunnel Tops was a plethora of cultural performances, food trucks with a diversity of cuisines and many areas to explore, including a sweet new children’s playground.

The day’s events were co-curated by the Presidio Activator Council, consisting of  local leaders, activists, and artists who represent communities historically underrepresented in national parks, with the intention of making the Tunnel Tops distinctly feel like a welcome space for all.

“There was a lot of intentionality in having the Activators at Presidio Tunnel Tops,” said Kaushik Roy, Presidio Activator. “There’s a difference between saying everyone is welcome and making those people feel welcome. What we can do is create programming that keeps those communities in mind and makes people feel like they’re truly wanted and they’re not an after-thought.”

Along with a free, expansive, view-laden space to enjoy at the Tunnel Tops, the Presidio is hosting a First Sunday Afternoons series, ranger talks in the campfire area, and will be adding other programs on an ongoing basis.

Click above to see more photos.