Mount Tamalpais State Park

Description

Mount Tamalpais is located at a few miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  If you're looking for a scenic view of the bridge without necessarily walking across it, Mount Tamalpais is a good place to go.  However, keep in mind that San Francisco being San Francisco, there's a good chance on any given day that the bridge (and much of San Francisco) will be covered in fog.  On a clear day, though, you can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea.

The fog has its advantages, though.  Mount Tamalpais is an excellent place to see an optical phenomenon called "the glory".

Aside from its scenic views, there are about 50 miles of hiking and bike trails within the park.  Check with local authorities about bike trails, as they open and close depending on season, Ranger judgment, and evolving law.  (There is an ongoing dispute about bicycle use in state parks.)  There are also picnic areas and a visitor center at the top of the East Peak (usually open only on weekends, but open daily during the summer).  Rather remarkably, Mount Tamalpais offers wireless internet, though only within a few hundred feet of the Ranger Station.  Seriously, though, if you're dragging your laptop way the heck out here, you really need to get some professional help.

Mount Tamalpais has a large outdoor amphitheater called The Mountain Theater.  Every year in May and June the Mountain Play Association puts on a professional broadway musical there.  No, that's not a typo.  The amphitheater is also regularly used for weddings and similar events.  A number of regular and irregular public events are held there as well.  Once a month from May through October there are lectures and stargazing parties.  They take place on - this is complicated, so pay attention - the Saturday nearest the first quarter moon.  For 2008 that means May 10, June 7, July 12, August 9, September 6, and October 4.  The amphitheater seats between 3,750 and 5,000 people (sources vary), so going there early to get a good spot probably isn't necessary.

Tamalpais is pronounced [tam-É™l-ˈpi-É™s], but locals usually call it "Mount Tam".  Depending on who you ask, the name either derives from the name used by the Coast Miwok prior to the arrival of Europeans, one of several Spanish phrases, or one of a number of supposed Spanish or native American legends, most of which apparently are fictional.  (Fictional in the sense that there are no such legends, not in that the legends aren't true.)  Feel free to make up your own explanation of where the name came from.  The more outrageous the better.

Main Web Site

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471

http://www.mttam.net/

Location

Like most mountains, it doesn't exactly have an address.  To go there, take Highway 101 north, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, take Highway 1, take the exit for Stinson Beach, and follow the signs up the mountain.  The street address is 801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley, CA.

Drive Time

from Ames (per Google maps):  1 hour and 11 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic

Public Transit

Hours

7 AM to sunset year round

Cost

FREE, but there may be parking fees in some places