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
Top 10 Specialty Museums 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. Museum of International Propaganda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 13stateswest - Richmond, United States
I went with my 22 year old daughter, and she probably got tired of me saying "I remember that!" Ok, I'm not old enough for all the Nazi propaganda, but the Chinese, Soviet, Cuban, & Iranian stuff was familiar enough. And the placards at each piece were very interesting as they pointed out major themes, or small nuances that really enhanced understanding. It's looks tiny at first - I thought a 25 minute visit tops... but we spend a good hour and felt we cut it short! And that was before we got to conversing with Tom Areton, one of the creators of the museum with his wife LIlka. He was very nice, and made the place even more special as he gave us more information on the pieces, and his personal life behind the Iron Curtain. And the 22 year old? She liked it as much as I did!
2. Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
The Marin Museum of Bicycling is a bicycle history museum and cultural center in Fairfax, California. We are a local nonprofit organization, entirely volunteer-run and volunteer-created. The museum is the new home of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, which was founded in Crested Butte, Colorado in 1988. We have greatly expanded the Hall of Fame displays, to include numerous key examples in the evolution of the mountain bike. We also show the 19th century evolution of the bicycle itself, with the Igler Collection of "Golden Age" bicycles. These key examples take visitors through the fascinating development of this extraordinary vehicle from the 1860s to the turn of the 20th century. We also have a diverse selection of other items, many of them part of the Matteo Collection of bikes and ephemera ranging from 1915 to the 1970s. We also plan to create special, themed exhibits that will rotate throughout the year, keeping each visit fresh, interesting and fun. Experienced docents are on hand to guide visitors through the exhibits and answer any questions they may have.
Reviewed By dreines - Portland, United States
Amazing experience in a perfect location. I came down from Oregon to try some of the local trails (Tamarancho was fantastic). I figured a quick stop in the Museum/Hall of Fame would be a great side trip. Nope. The museum is not some road side attraction. It is a very well displayed and informative attraction, worth a trip in it's own right. Filled with amazing bikes throughout the history of the sport, from the very beginning of cycling in general and mountain biking specifically, you could get lost wandering through on your own. The thing that made my visit spectacular is that Joe Breeze happened to be there when I visited. Joe is the curator (I think that's the correct title) and also one of the fathers of mountain biking. Heck, many of the exhibits feature him! (he was humble about this and did not tell me, I sort of deduced it on my own). Seriously, if you know you are going to go, call ahead and see when Joe will be there. He's delightful and a living legend! I'll definitely be back to ride the trails and to spend some more time in this museum.
3. 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+.
4. 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.
5. Marin Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Fotobag - San Rafael, United States
Even though I was born and raised in Marin, live near the Marin Civic Center now, it is always a marvel to visit for business or pleasure with my camera. Miss the cafeteria. Outdoor patio on the 4th floor delightful.
6. Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We loved seeing the model railroad and other exhibits at the Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum, This is a historic building with good views of the bay.
7. Hamilton Field History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
8. The Space Station Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
The Space Station Museum is a privately funded, volunteered staffed space exploration museum that is operated by the 501c3 non-profit corporation, "The W Foundation" (TWF). TWF owns one of the largest private collections of U.S., Russian and Soviet space exploration artifacts.
9. Educational Tall Ship
10. Museum of the American Indian
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
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