Top Things to do in Marin County
Top Hotels in Marin County
- 1. Best Western Corte Madera Inn
- 2. Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa
- 3. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn
- 4. Best Western Corte Madera Inn
- 5. The Lodge at Tiburon
- 6. Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County
- 7. Marin Suites Hotel
- 8. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael Marin County
- 9. Inn Marin & Suites
- 10. Waters Edge Hotel
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Marin County, Marin County
Some say it’s different, but residents of Marin County like their home that way. We’re betting you will too! Nestled between San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Marin County includes the cities of Tiburon, San Anselmo, San Rafael and Corte Madera.
Activities in Marin County include the highly anticipated Concours d’Elegance, a festival of pre-1978 vehicles and British Sports Cars. Held at the Marin County Fairgrounds in May, the event features a wine-tasting, fine food and “The Drive,” a parade of classic cars winding their way through the scenic back roads of Marin and neighboring Sonoma Counties ending with a lunch reception in San Rafael. In July, be sure to head to the Marin County Fair and in August hit the San Rafael Food and Wine Festival. Treat yourself to some of the world-renowned local wine and watch the sun go down over the hills.
Of course, there’s no shortage of natural beauty in Marin County. Beach lovers will enjoy Stinson Beach or Point Reyes National Seashore where wildlife abounds. Here you just might spot some Elephant Seals or Tule Elk among the rugged terrain or, from Point Reyes Lighthouse, catch a glimpse of a pod of whales. Go butterfly or bird watching and enjoy the many natural wonders of California’s Northern Coast.
For some, no vacation would be complete without a round of golf. If you’re a golf aficionado, Marin County will not disappoint you. The area boasts several public and private courses in a variety of settings, including San Geronimo Golf Course. Situated on 150 acres of stunning landscape, this is a challenging course designed to test your game! Or, try the StoneTree Golf Club, a daily fee, 18-hole championship course. If hiking is more your style, check out Angel Island State Park. Accessible only by ferry, Angel Island offers spectacular views of most of the Bay Area, including San Francisco. Fishing more your style? Try McNear’s Beach Pier in San Rafael.
Restaurants in Marin County
1. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By ricksriot1
Gorgeous drive out to the farm, bucolic setting all around, eco-sustainable operation with incredible cheese and a great gathering.
2. Battery Spencer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By beagleshnout - Branson, United States
Which I am one. I tour Coastal Artillery forts/batteries whenever I travel. This is a must. The view of the ocean is wonderful. The entire Marin Headlands area with Fort Baker, Fort Cronkite, Fort Barry etc is fantastic for the outdoors hiker and military history buff.
3. Waldo Point Harbor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to Waldo Point Harbor while we were in Sausalito. This is a great place to see the house boats.
4. Point Bonita Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Point Bonita today is part of the largest urban national park in the United States, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A secret jewel of the Bay Area, Point Bonita is still an active lighthouse. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the lighthouse and the National Park Service provides access to visitors. Point Bonita Lighthouse is reached by a half mile trail that is very steep in parts. Discover Point Bonita's wild landscape, geology and fascinating history. The tunnel halfway to the lighthouse is open only during visiting hours: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States
A must-see for tourists and locals alike. This is a very unique spot with some of the most amazing views of the Golden gate area and the Pacific Ocean. On a foggy day it's like you're living in a movie. On a crystal clear day you can see the farallon Islands.
5. The Marine Mammal Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
The largest of six centers that rescue and rehabilitate seals and sea lions found along the California coast.
Reviewed By cyndiv2014 - Portland, United States
The Marine Mammal Center is a hospital for injured animals. They house and rehabilitate any number of marine mammals including sea lions and sea otters. There are several stations where visitors can learn about tagging and how biologists track animals, fishing nets and the dangers they pose to sea life, and how they care for their patients. I visited with my boisterous son on a Thursday afternoon. If you have an active child, this may not be the best place to come if there isn't a tour. It is a hospital, and they try to keep it quiet for the animals' comfort. My son was anything but quiet. We're looking forward to visiting again when a tour is happening; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The gift shop is also A+.
6. Lytton Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Where the action is in Mill Valley, great people watching spot.
7. The Taj Mahal Houseboat
8. Point Reyes Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 759 reviews
Drenched in fog most of the year, this lighthouse is one of the foggiest in the country, and is a great whale-watching spot in the fall and spring.
Reviewed By raefb2017
I didn’t know what we were heading for. It was thanksgiving and the weather was cold and windy. We drove for 20 miles in roads where no one was there and no signal either. Then we came to the cliff and there it was; the strong winds that could pull you off the ground, the tilting trees, a fox and two dears, and the red lighthouse far down the cliff.. mystical and majestic... Protruding 13 miles into the Pacific Ocean, point Reyes (puntas di los Reyes) is truly the edge of the world!
9. San Francisco Bay Model
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
The world's largest working model of San Francisco Bay.
Reviewed By photomagica
Full disclosure - I'm a visual artist working in photography and the Bay Model Visitor Center hosted a show of my work of the San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds in its lovely gallery. It hosts a rotating array of shows throughout the year, mostly of regional artists but occasionally including and international artist such as myself. The model itself is vast and informative. This is a great location to learn about San Francisco Bay environment, engineering and history. Admission is free and the rangers that operate the Bay model are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.
10. Old Mill Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Restored, historic sawmill turned park, site of annual Mill Valley Arts Fest.
Reviewed By Gavatron07 - Napier, New Zealand
This park featuring a stand of redwoods is definitely worth adding to a cycle ride over the Golden Gate Bridge around to Tiburon. The town is quaint and comparatively peaceful after the bustle of the city. The signage to it could be a bit clearer but it's not hard to find your way from the cycle path and back again. If you're in the area don't miss it.
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