Thursday, September 6, 2012

Hike to Tennessee Valley Beach

Looking for a fast workout with a beautiful Marin view? 

The Tennessee Valley Beach Trail provides convenient parking (if you start before 11:00am on weekends!) and a mostly paved path with a few slight inclines.  Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the Headlands of Mill Valley, this hike begins at the end of Tennessee Valley Road and 1.7 miles later takes you to Tennessee Valley Beach.

Plan on a fast three hour round trip walk or bike ride for the perfect outdoor workout, or bring the family for a casual stroll. The area is well suited for family members of all ages, and on weekends you will find you are never alone. Regardless of how fast one may traverse the trail, you will be continually aware that nature abounds. The valley is teeming with deer, coyote, and on occasion there may even be a bobcat in the distance. Keep your eyes on the skies since the valley also has many birds to view - from raptors to egrets to the common swallow.  
Once at the beach, look for the hole high in the black rock cliffs that was carved by ocean waves. Coordinate your visit with a low tide and seasonal sand alignments to also see the engine of the shipwrecked SS Tennessee.

Please keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on this hike, not even on a leash!


Directions: From highway 101, take the Mill Valley / Stinson Beach / Hwy. 1 exit and follow Shoreline Hwy. until you see the Tennessee Valley Road sign. The turn off will be on the left where there is a produce truck stand.
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Highlight Community of the Month

Mill Valley


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.