Hiking Mt. Tam
Take a hike from Stinson or catch the West Marin Stagecoach across from the Stinson Beach Market. The Stagecoach stops at Pantoll Station. Start from there, or hike to the nearby Bootjack trailhead. Either of these options offer many delightful and varied trail choices. Make your way back DOWN to Stinson Beach by way of the Dipsea, the Matt Davis, Steep Ravine or the Coastal Trail. Get a map from the local bookstore, or take a look at the following links.
Friends of Mt. Tam Loop Hikes: https://www.friendsofmttam.org/activities/hiking/ Redwood forests, open grasslands, oak woodlands, ocean views, you name it. There are several hundred miles of trails in the State Park and adjacent areas such as the Marin Municipal Water District for you to explore. While you are welcome to join any of Friends of Mt Tam guided hikes (see below section), you may wish to hike on your own.
Cateract Falls from Ridgecrest Blvd/Rock Spring: https://www.weekendsherpa.com/stories/hiking-to-cataract-falls-on-mount-...Mount Tam’s Cataract Falls is the bobsled course of waterfalls: over a mile of twisting, turning, tumbling water—gushing, rushing, and making a splash! The real joy is hiking right beside Cataract Creek as it’s chugging on all cylinders, where the exclamations are 20- and 30-foot falls.
One Tam: https://www.onetam.org/maps-trails More than 200 miles of trails lie within the One Tam management area and many of these trails cross federal, state and local agency boundaries. Take a hike on one of the featured trails listed here.
Surf Lessons, Rentals & Equipment
Marin Outdoor Adventures: https://www.marinoutdooradventure.com/about-3 Marin Outdoor Adventures offers surf lessons, guided hikes, and mindfulness in nature experiences. We believe in the therapeutic benefits of adventure and connecting with Mother Nature. Gear will be provided by Stinson Beach Surf and Kayak.
Livewater Surf Shop: https://www.livewatersurfshop.com/ No reservations required (unless you're with a group of 6 or more). We have plenty of rentals available including; Foam surfboards, wetsuits (child and adult sizes), Boogie Boards, SUPS (paddle included), and skimboards.
Proof Lab: https://www.prooflab.com/ Our mission is to make the best local surf/skate/outdoor shop, focused on community building and connecting people with the outdoors
Ladies Shred: https://www.ladiesshred.com/ We are here to build trust within our selves and the community at large. Our focus lies in safety, education of ocean and land, self-confidence, making lasting connections and empowering the girls!
2 Mile Surf Shop: https://www.2milesurf.com/ 2 Mile Surf Shop has a fleet of rental boards and suits, a large selection of long, mid-sized, retro and short boards from a number of reputable brands, a range of wetsuits, boots, gloves, and hoods and if you forgot your shorts, sandals or sunscreen 2 Mile's got all your beach needs covered. (Currently closed. Scheduled reopening in 2025.)
KAYAK RENTALS
Stinson Beach Surf and Kayak, Stinson Beach http://www.stinsonbeachsurfandkayak.com
Blue Waters Kayak, Pt. Reyes and Tomales Bay https://www.bluewaterskayaking.com/
BIRD WATCHING
The whole area is major flyway so bird watching draws many visitors to the area.
Audobon Canyon Ranch. Has observational platforms for viewing egret nests. https://www.egret.org/
Point Reyes Bird Observatory http://www.pointblue.org/
HIKING BOLINAS
The Alamere Trail is a local favorite. It's not as steep at the Mt Tam trails, and you don't have to go all the way out to the falls to have a great hike. Along the way there are many coastal viewpoints, and you walk right past Bass lake.
INVERNESS AND POINT REYES
There are literally hundreds of trails in West Marin with amazing views of the mountain, ocean, and rugged coastline, and expansive beach walks to explore. Favorites near Inverness and Pt. Reyes are the Estero Trail, the Pierce Point Tule Elk preserve, Chimney Rock, and Drakes Beach—where Drake careened his ship centuries ago—and the sand dunes at Abbott's Lagoon. See the Point Reyes National Seashore site for details. Bayside beaches and beach walks are part of the Tomales Bay State Park.
POINT REYES OUTDOORS BIOLUMINESCENSE PADDLES
Night kayaking on Tomales Bay. Bioluminescence is present for a couple of months a year (May through November ) when all the variables align: water temperature, air temperature, winds, currents, and tides. When the conditions are right, we are able to see dinoflaggelates, small organisms that “light up” the water a brilliant green when they are displaced. Seen best on moonless nights. http://pointreyesoutdoors.com/