If you’ve got some friends and family in town, Best of the County picks are a sure way to know that you’re bringing them to the hottest eateries, shops and more around Marin. After all, each one has been vetted by readers like you.
But if you’re looking to build a full itinerary, with everything from hikes and downtown walks, to cultural or historical musts, we’ve asked our team for their personal recommendations.
Indoor musts?
Zack’s Pick: It’s always fun to see the smile on someone’s face after they try Sol Food for the first time. Seeing movies at the Rafael and Lark is always exceptionally charming. Another great option is to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s seminal Civic Center complex.
Sharon’s Pick: One of Marin’s many fabulous restaurants is always a good choice. I’m addicted to Buckeye Roadhouse.
Mimi’s Pick: Any of our classic restaurants: Buckeye Roadhouse, Farley Bar at Cavallo Point, Cornerbar … I know I need to get out of my neighborhood!
Lynda’s Pick: My favorite restaurant in my favorite town: Sushi Ran in Sausalito.
Nikki C.’s Pick: There aren’t many indoor spots that I would want to be unless its raining, but if I had to pick, it would be the San Francisco Bay Model Visitor Center in Sausalito or Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (last time I was there, it was in Novato).
Lesley’s Pick: Museum of International Propaganda.
Liz’s Pick: My favorite shopping trifecta — sometimes more window shopping than actual shopping — is Vivaio Plants, Heath Ceramics and the ICB Building. They’re all within two blocks of each other, but each offers something completely different. Olivia, the owner of Vivaio, is a botanical artist who creates living works of art; her arrangements can be sculptural, exciting or calming. At Heath, I could spend hours taking in the textures, craftsmanship and unexpected color palettes. Then I wander through the ICB Building to see what’s new in the artists’ studios and galleries. I’m especially drawn to the bold abstract work of Gordon Studer, Terri Froelich and Bibby Gignilliat.
Matt’s Pick: For my sporty friends I like to take them on a mountain bike ride at Camp Tamarancho in Fairfax, then tend to our wounds over pints of beer and sausages at the fabulously funky Gestalt Haus in downtown Fairfax. No better way to spend a day in California if you love mountain biking.
Logan’s Pick: My favorite indoor spot in Marin is the Larkspur Landing Cinema as it has a luxurious feel while still showing all of the blockbuster films.
Outdoor musts?
Zack’s Pick: Nothing beats going for a hike on Mt. Tam but other natural splendors to seek out include the shores of Stinson Beach, the all-levels-welcome Tennessee Valley Trail and fishing at Phoenix Lake.
Sharon’s Pick: A favorite easy walk for conversation and a dose of nature is the Tennessee Valley Trail to the beach and back.
Karen’s Pick: Stinson Beach.
Michele’s Pick: Bolinas Ridge for sunset.
Mimi’s Pick: Muir Woods, Stinson Beach … Rodeo Beach, hike to Hill 88.
Lynda’s Pick: Hiking in Tennessee Valley. Takes 10 minutes to get to and the views of nature and sea are spectacular.
Helena’s Pick: If you’re not keen on biking, you can hop on the ferry for a scenic boat ride. Mount Tam is definitely also a must. It can be subject to some fog, but that’s part of its charm! Just outside Marin County, you can hop on the Russian River and do a river float. This is one of my favorite weekend day trips (one reason being that it’s typically 15–20 degrees warmer in Sonoma!). No tube? No problem! You can rent them there. They even have cooler floaties for your on-river snacks and refreshments.
Nikki C.’s Pick: Besides hiking Mt Tam — my happy place where I feel immense gratitude — I love heading down to Stinson Beach. I take a long walk along the shore, then sit in front of the ocean to breathe the fresh air while watching and listening to the waves. It’s a great place to reflect and just be. And of course, kayaking on the Richardson Bay for the views!
Emma’s Pick: A hike on Mount Burdell in my hometown of Novato and sunset atop Mount Tam!
Lesley’s Pick: Hill 88 hiking above Rodeo Beach, if they can keep up!
Jim’s Pick: Walk the Belvedere Avenue “Loop” starting at Belvedere’s city hall going straight up Laurel Ave to Belvedere Ave then circling with great views of Mt Tam, Richardson Bay, Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge. Connect with Beach Road for spectacular views of the City and Angel Island then walk down to the San Francisco Yacht Club. About 2.5 miles total.
Matt’s Pick: For casual sightseeing it’s hard to beat the shoreline trail system at Cavallo Point through historic Fort Baker and around Point Cavallo. Nobody gets tired of that view.
Logan’s Pick: I like to take visitors to the Hippie Tree in Tiburon as it has one of the most stunning views in the entire county. Along with the views, there are fun swings and trees to climb at the lookout.
Avery’s Pick: Stinson Beach and West Marin are great day trips and are very relaxing and the Marin Headlands are beautiful. I like the Corte Madera mall, Magnolia Avenue, Bon Air Center and downtown Mill Valley for outdoor shopping.
A quintessential Marin experience?
Zack’s Pick: A hearty brunch followed by a ferry to Angel Island for a hike and a picnic. Recoup your strength after you dock back in Tiburon, then catch a film at the Rafael or hear from a visiting author at Book Passage.
Kate’s Pick: A full day around Marin County. First, brunch at Sam’s Anchor Cafe, then drive to Ocean Beach to sit and tan, listen to music, enjoy the view and dip our toes in the water. The next stop would be Golden Gate Park, where we’d walk around, go to the Japanese Tea Garden and then join in on the musical roller skating/blading with all the locals. After that, head to Bolinas Ridge to catch a killer sunset, of course, and then end the day with dinner somewhere — like Poggio Trattoria, La Ginestra, etc.
Sharon’s Pick: Brunch at the Mountain Home and a barefoot stroll on Muir Beach.
Karen’s Pick: The 4th of July tug of war between Bolinas and Stinson.
Mimi’s Pick: Start the day in the Mill Valley Depot, and hike the Dipsea trail to Stinson for Brunch at the Parkside. Either park a car there the day before or take the Marin Stagecoach (bus) back; it’s actually pretty convenient.
Lynda’s Pick: Driving out to West Marin, going for a long walk on Limantour Beach and eating oysters at Hog Island.
Nikki C.’s Pick: Hiking Muir Woods for sure!
Emma’s Pick: I love exploring West Marin, starting with a stop at the Marin French Cheese Factory since it’s only 10 minutes or so from my house (I live in Novato). The cheese tastings are a must and the grassy areas make for perfect picnic spots. Then I like to make my way to Point Reyes Station to explore the shops, before finally going to North Beach (not the one in SF) for a walk. It’s not really the kind of beach to lay out and tan on, but it certainly is beautiful.
Lesley’s Pick: Driving above the Golden Gate Bridge in the headlands.
Jim’s Pick: Nine holes of weekend golf at either Indian Valley or McInnis public courses. Join a foursome with a couple you don’t know, it’s always a nice fit. Catching an early showing of a quality film at Smith San Rafael Film Center followed by dinner at any one of a number of good Fourth Street restaurants.
Matt’s Pick: Rent an e-bike in Sausalito then go for a ride through Cavallo Point, across the Golden Gate bridge, and back. You’ll be smiling during the entire journey.
Logan’s Pick: Walking along the Blackies Pasture bike path while taking in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and Richardson Bay.
Avery’s Pick: Getting a coffee from a local coffee shop and then going on a walk by the water in Sausalito, in the woods in Mill Valley or on one of our county’s stunning hiking trails.
Favorite town square/downtown?
Zack’s Pick: San Anselmo, both because that’s where I grew up and because it now features a fountain sculpture of Indiana Jones and Yoda. You can’t beat that.
Kate’s Pick: Downtown Fairfax because it feels nostalgic and fun, but also historic and beautiful, with many opportunities for great indoor and especially outdoor spots. Tiburon Main Street because the shops are so quaint and fun to walk around, and it is right on the water. Sausalito because it is also right on the water, but has so many interesting shops and boutiques.
Sharon’s Pick: That’s a tough one because it really depends on my mood — there are so many terrific destinations. Last weekend I was in the mood for shopping, people-watching and treats from the farmers market, so I headed to the Country Mart in Larkspur. This week, though, I’m craving a charming atmosphere with a bit of live music, so you’ll find me at the Mill Valley Depot.
Karen’s Pick: Larkspur for the weather.
Mimi’s Pick: Can’t pick. I think Sausalito, my home base, definitely has the best views, and it’s fun to tell the story about how the two elephant statues, Jumbo and PeeWee, originally came from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco — the World’s Fair that celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s recovery after the 1906 earthquake. Mill Valley has so many cool events, and community activities (like the sweater trees!), and I love the history of the Gravity Train. It’s so cool they have a car there so people can reenact the trip. San Rafael definitely has the most action, and I’ll take any excuse to get spring rolls at Laos Kitchen.
Lynda’s Pick: Mill Valley: it balances old Marin charm with a little bling, great music and wonderful food, in a walkable center, under the shade of redwoods and steps to trails.
Nikki C.’s Pick: My favorite town square is Mill Valley; having lived there for nearly two decades it never tires. It is so picturesque. I love sitting outside the Depot listening to music and watching the kids and dogs run around, grabbing drinks at Corner Bar or dinner at Bungalow 44, and walking down to the Lumber Yard — sitting outside in the sun with friends with a glass of wine and pizza at Watershed.
Emma’s Pick: While I may be a bit biased, I’d have to say Novato, since that’s where I grew up. I love the trees that line the street, and it’s perfectly walkable. There are so many cute shops to peruse, and places like Dr. Insomniac’s and Finnegan’s have great outdoor dining.
Lesley’s Pick: Sausalito town square; love the mix of tourists and locals, and trying to guess who’s who. Love that there’s saltines in that town along with all of the upscale and views of the San Francisco Bay. I also love downtown San Rafael because it’s one of the more diverse cities in Marin.
Jim’s Pick: Main Street in Tiburon, its mellowness allows for intense people watching.
Matt’s Pick: I love the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it downtown area at Stinson Beach. The Parkside Café’s onsite bakery makes the best chocolate croissant this side of the Mississippi. In the afternoon I love to sit at the patio bar at Breakers Café and catch a cozy buzz on Spanish Gin & Tonics (their specialty).
Logan’s Pick: Larkspur’s downtown is the best for me as it has great dining options like Perry’s, Picco and Keiko Fish, while also having spots like Equator Coffees and the shack ice cream.
Avery’s Pick: Probably Sausalito, I think it is the most charming.
Best al fresco lunch or brunch?
Zack’s Pick: If you’re in San Anselmo, head to Comfort’s and grab their signature Chinese Chicken Salad — perfectly portable and utterly delicious. The Chicken Okasan is another to-go appropriate favorite.
Kate’s Pick: Perry’s on Magnolia and/or Sam’s Anchor Cafe.
Sharon and Karen’s Pick: Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon.
Lotus’s Pick: Two Sonoma restaurants I’ve returned to time and again are Hopmonk Tavern for its lively beer garden vibe and Valley Bar & Bottle for seasonal, fresh-from-the-farm fare — both have lovely patios that are perfect for alfresco dining.
Mimi’s Pick: Oh I miss the Siren Cafe in Stinson, but now if I can be patient with the lines, a breakfast burrito at Equator Coffees in Sausalito is quite perfect!
Helena’s Pick: You can head into Sausalito for a delicious lunch at Fish., or you can ride a bit further into Tiburon and eat at the famous Sam’s. Be sure to stop by the Historic Mountain Home Inn for some lunch and a well-deserved Aperol Spritz.
Nikki C.’s Pick: After a hike, I love grabbing brunch at the Lighthouse in Corte Madera.
Lesley’s Pick: Brunch at Half Day Café or Comforts.
Matt’s Pick: Bar Bocce so wins. Bay views with outdoor seating and fire pits. Start with the warm olives and progress to the Nectarine Pizza with bacon (mmmmm — bacon), gorgonzola, wild arugula, honey and thyme. Bottle of red, bottle of white, then it’s time to pop off your Jimmy Choos and stroll the beach. Other faves include Le Garage (sexy AF French) and the sidewalk tables at Poggio (Best. Waiters. Ever.).
Logan’s Pick: Sam’s Anchor Cafe offers an ideal outdoor dining experience for lunch as it has dozens of tables that look out on the bay as well as the city of San Francisco.
Avery’s Pick: Salito’s or Joinery.
How long have you lived in Marin / SF/ Bay Area?
Zack: 39 years, a.k.a. my entire life!
Mimi: Many decades.
Lynda: Moved here from Copenhagen, Denmark 18 years ago. Originally from New England.
Nikki C.’s Pick: I have lived in Marin for 23 years — moved here with my young family in 2003, and even though the kids are grown, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Emma: My whole life. I’m actually a fifth or sixth generation Marinite on both sides of my family!
Jim: Lived in Marin 25 years.
Liz: I’ve lived in the Bay Area my entire life, but I’ve only been in Sausalito for a year. It still feels like I’m on vacation. Every week I discover another corner of Marin, and I never get tired of waking up to the water every morning.
Matt: 33 years. Which is weird because I’m only 27.
Logan: I have lived in the Bay Area for my entire life (17 years).
Avery: My whole life, 23 years.
Where to learn about local culture?
Zack’s Pick: Sweetwater for live music, Rafael for films, Pond Farms to watch sports and Book Passage for live author events.
Sharon’s Pick: Whether it’s seeing David Sedaris at Book Passage or catching one of the many outstanding authors and speakers at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, Marin offers no shortage of cultural events.
Mimi’s Pick: Depends on the type of culture. I might take them on a movie location tour, or if they are here during the summer, I try to coordinate with the Mountain Play. The Cushing Theater has to be the coolest open air theater with the best views on the planet.
Nikki C.’s Pick: Same as indoor plus a tour of the Civic Center in San Rafael, which Frank Lloyd Wright designed.
Emma’s Pick: Exploring any local Farmers’ Market is a great way to get a feel for Marin’s culture including the people, businesses and atmosphere.
Lesley’s Pick: Muir Woods.
Matt’s Pick: I once wrote an article for Architectural Digest magazine about Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, the founders of Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes (I still remember the lede: “Sue and Peggy know when their cows are having a bad day.”) Multi-generational dairy ranches date back nearly two centuries in West Marin, and the culture of farm/ranch-fresh West Marin cuisine is worth exploring. Do your homework first: Read an article about Sue and Peggy, then make the scenic drive to Point Reyes and eat way too much cheese.
Logan’s Pick: The Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley puts on excellent plays and musicals that show off local talent of all ages, drawing in viewers from all across the Bay Area.
Avery’s Pick: Sweetwater Music Hall, Bay Model Visitor Center, Point Bonita Lighthouse, Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars in SF and the Mission district in the city.
Where to learn about local history?
Zack’s Pick: Don’t sleep on the Bay Model!
Sharon’s Pick: Angel Island for sure as it’s one of the Bay Area’s most significant historical destinations.
Mimi’s Pick: If their visit is on a Thursday or Sunday, I make sure we got to the Marin County Farmer’s Market for some treats from the food trucks, and then tour the halls of the Civic Center, especially the second floor, where you’ll find articles about how we were able to lure Frank Loyd Wright to create such an interesting design. Or if they geek out about things like ‘exact spots where something happened’ type of thing, I’ll walk to the the exact spot where Chief Miwok was reportedly born on Locus Street in Mill Valley, or drive you to the Marconi Center in West Marin. There, in 1913 Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian inventor often credited as the father of radio, built a station that helped prove messages could be sent across oceans without wires.
Nikki C.’s Pick: The Marin Headlands served as a strategic base during the Civil War. You can also visit the bunkers used during WWII and the Cold War-era Nike Missile site. Additionally, it offers the most stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Emma’s Pick: The Museum of the American Indian at Miwok Park. I grew up coming here, and seeing the artifacts and learning about the Miwok tribe is both so interesting and also extremely important.
Lesley’s Pick: Love Mill Valley history around the Depot and the train that went up Mount Tam.
Matt’s Pick: If you know where to go, the Marin Headlands has a slew of remnants of one of America’s largest coastal defense systems. Beginning in the late 1800s, the U.S. Army built three forts here, massive WWII bunkers, Cold War Nike missile sites and underground ammunition tunnels. Ironically, the guns were only fired once in combat. At a cormorant. Somebody thought it was a Japanese submarine periscope.
Logan’s Pick: The Angel Island State Park is just a ferry ride away from downtown Tiburon, and includes several different hiking trails that show off the history of the island.
Avery’s Pick: Mission Dolores, Sutro Baths, Fort Point, World War II Memorial in the Presidio of SF, Painted Ladies, Filoli in the South Bay, Old Town Sausalito.
