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Friday, February 11, 2011
Ocean Views from the Palomarin Trail to Alamere Falls
Here is a day hike with a little bit of everything for the adventurous trekker! Commanding views of the Pacific Ocean, cascading streams, tree-lined trails meandering past serene lakes, and one magnificent waterfall crashing onto a desolate beach.
To get there, drive through Stinson Beach, pass the small town of Bolinas, and head on to Mesa Road towards the Palomarin Trailhead. If time permits, explore the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, and visit their Bird Banding Laboratory during winter months.
Scenic Trail Views From the Palomarin/Coast Trail
Allow about four hours to complete the eight mile round-trip trek along this part of the Coastal Trail. The Coastal Trail portion has wide-open vistas and is a fairly flat, easy trail that meanders along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. You'll get your fix of ocean views here! Continuing on, you’ll see beautiful Bass Lake and Pelican Lake, and red-tailed hawks coasting above - just out of reach. About a mile past Bass Lake, you’ll find the Alamere Falls detour.
Pelican Lake and Detour Sign to Falls
From here it's less than a half-mile to the beach and the falls. The poison oak is more overgrown here, so watch where you step in this narrow section of trail. It’s a very good idea to wear long sleeves and long pants. The trail will begin to get rockier and steeper and there is a short section where you will have to be careful as you pick your way down. But if you pay close attention, it’s more than worth it. You’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular spring waterfalls in the state. I would recommend caution if attempting to navigate the fifty foot climb down to the beach to view the waterfall from below. It is steep and narrow, and the rock is not stable. I chose to stay at the top and sit with the wildflowers while watching those much braver than me scale down the cliff toward the beach. There are plenty of scenic spots to have a lunch and simply admire the sounds and view.
Nestled below majestic Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley is reminiscent of a charming European village. Surrounded by national parks, including Muir Woods, an ancient coast redwood forest, Mill Valley's lush landscape of hills and canyons is a favorite place for visitors who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golf and running. Two national financial magazines, MONEY and CNN/Money, recently named Mill Valley as one of the 10 top cities in America in which to live. They noted that millionaires and well-known names in the film and music industries, like Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir and Sammy Hagar, make their homes in this quaint community.
Downtown activities center around Lytton Square, where people gather for coffee at the Book Depot Cafe or for a game of chess while conducting some serious people-watching. Fashionable boutiques and restaurants fill the downtown. The Sweetwater Music Hall, one of the top roots music clubs in the nation, is well-known for its live musical performances and famous guest musicians who occasionally drop in for an evening to improvise.
Mill Valley is host to a range of cultural activities. The Mill Valley Film Festival is an internationally recognized festival that has attracted leading filmmakers and movie aficionados for the past 28 years. The Mountain Play, produced in June in an outdoor amphitheatre, attracts thousands of theater-goers to the top of Mt. Tamalpais to watch Broadway musicals performed by talented local actors. The Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, a state historical landmark, was designed in 1904 by internationally known architect, Bernard Maybeck. Particularly notable for its unusual roof truss system, the Arts and Crafts style building exemplifies Maybeck's creative use of natural materials.
Mill Valley, home of the Marin Mountain Bike, hosts the annual Dipsea Race, the second oldest footrace in the United States. The race takes runners over a 7.1 mile course up and over Mt. Tamalpais to one of the most beautiful California beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Whether it's for cultural events, dining, shopping or recreation, Mill Valley is a draw for both visitors and residents alike.
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