If the weather gods are correct, we are getting a hefty dose of summer this weekend, which means Marin will be hot hot HOT! Take advantage of the one or two days of the year when a dip in the Bay or the ocean doesn’t seem like an outrageous proposition.
Go to the Beach!
Stinson Beach traffic will be a nightmare (though you could take this hike and probably get there faster) unless you leave right now. But that is so not the only beach in Marin. For some real beauties, spend about an hour in the car to get to the Point Reyes National Seashore. Grab a sandwich in Olema or Point Reyes Station and head to Limantour Beach. Its south-facing location means calmer waves (good for swimming!) and the sand is amazingly soft. There’s plenty of spots tucked away in the rolling sand dunes too. Divine. Driving: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center, head north to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and follow Bear Valley Road northwest to Limantour Road. Turn left and follow Limantour Road west to the parking lot at Limantour Beach.
Stand up Paddleboard in the Bay
An hour or two (or more) on a stand up paddleboard is a relaxing, easy way to enjoy the water without actually having to dive in (unless you have terrible balance!). You don’t need any experience either. Sea Trek in Sausalito rents stand up paddleboards (as well as sea kayaks). For guaranteed calm water, go a bit further north to Outback Adventures where you can rent and paddle up Corte Madera Creek. Since the weather will be so nice, best to reserve in advance. Sea Trek, (415) 332-8494, $20/hour, Schoonmaker Point, Sausalito (near the Bay Model) or (415) 461-2222, 14 East Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur.
Moonlight Hike on Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tam, how we love thee, especially on a warm Harvest moon evening. Rob Ross (no, not Bob Ross, the pretty little trees painter) leads this guided, moderate hike that leaves from the Pantoll Ranger Station about 15 minutes after sunset (which means 6:30 p.m. this Saturday). About two miles and two hours of wandering through nature under a moonlit sky will ensue. Check the website or call (415) 258-2410 for any last minute hike changes. 3801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley.
