Marin Headland's Black Sands Beach

Black Sand? Perhaps one would think they were on some exotic Hawaiian island, rather than a foggy coastal Marin beach.

Black Sands Beach is really not so black as it is a deep dark brown, yet when the waves roll back the sand really does appear black. To experience the true diversity of Marin County, try testing your directional skills in locating this treasure. Here is a little help from your friends...

Where Conzelman Road winds along the southern shore of the Headlands and becomes one-way, look for a pull-out on the left side of the road just after Hawk Hill. If parking is available (usually five to six cars can fit), pull in and look for a sign that reads "Upper Fisherman's Trail." The trail marker will let you know you are in the right spot.

From here it is a short 15 minute hike to the beach which traverses some varied terrain: a dirt trail, a cliffside bridge, and wooden steps. At our last visit, the steps to the beach were still intact - otherwise there is a short jump down to the sand.

While in the Headlands and looking for something else to fill your day, continue on Conzelman Road past the Nike Missal site towards Fort Cronkhite. Take the left onto Bunker Road up the hill to The Marine Mammal Center where there is plenty of parking in the new lot.

Admission is free and there is something to see year-round.  The Marin Mammal Center's purpose is the rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing of marine mammals who are injured, ill, or abandoned. Depending on the time of year, one may see a California Sea Lion, Northern Elephant Seal, Pacific Harbor Seal, Northern Fur Seal, or a Southern 
Sea Otter. On a few occasions, the Marine Mammal Center has taken in Guadeloupe Fur Seals, Stellar Sea Lions, and Bottlenose/Pacific White-Sided Dolphins. The only non-mammals that the Center takes in are sea turtles.

Check out this great video on Mountain Biking in Marin by EpicTV!

Some Interesting Marin History

Dipsea Highway Directional Road Sign

On October 11, 1923 the Dipsea Highway was dedicated by erecting the first of many Tamal Chief signs at Manzanita Junction in Mill Valley. The signs, made by D. E. Bowen of Richmond, spread from Southern Marin out to Stinson Beach, Inverness, San Anselmo, San Rafael and all the way to Sacramento. Endorsed by the California Automobile Association, the new highway was intended as a revenue generator for Marin County and was advertised as spanning “from the Valley to the Sea” culmination in the famous “Circle Tour of Mt. Tamalpais.” Seven days before the official highway opening, the Marin Journal reported “the Dipsea Highway was becoming a famous automobile route for tourists from the Sacramento Valley…Already it has been the means of bringing hundreds of summer sojourners to the Marin County resort on the sea coast.” The Dipsea Highway, organized in part by Newman L. Fitzhenry, secretary of the Dipsea Highway Association and resident of Stinson Beach, continued to be a success as the years passed. However, at some point the signs were removed and highway name was nearly forgotten. 

The route today, a combination of Highway One and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, remains popular with tourists seeking a pleasant day at the coast and in West Marin.

Visit the Marin History Museum for more amazing historical facts on Marin!

Boyde Gate House at 1125 B Street in San Rafael

Have fun looking back into Marin history with this map found in the Marin County Library archives!
The Marvelous Marin County Map was done in 1937 by Lance Barnes

Kirby Cove: One of Marin's Many Hidden Gems

How about camping just yards from ocean waves and with views of the Golden Gate Bridge?
Kirby Cove, within the boundaries of the GGNRA, may be your answer!

Just west of the Golden Gate Bridge is the entry gate to the one-mile fire road leading down to Kirby Cove. The entry is off of Conzelman Road, near the pullouts for Battery Spencer. Don’t let the gate throw you off. Make your way down to the beach past the numerous eucalyptus and cypress trees. 

If you have a campsite reservation, you will be given a code by the Park Service and be able to drive down to set up camp in one of the four sites available to you. There is no water or firewood, so remember to pack both for your adventure.  Reservations are strongly recommended.
Sorry, but Fido will have to stay home…

Visit the New Marin History Center in San Rafael

Welcome to the new Marin History Center at City Plaza in San Rafael
1026 Court Street

The History Center is a community gallery featuring programs and art-inspired exhibitions. Expect to listen to lectures and book readings, and view documentary screenings all in one place!

Dorothea Lange at Steep Ravine On Display Now Until Saturday, April 6th 2013 

In the late 1950s, famous American photographer Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) and her husband Paul Taylor began leasing a small cabin perched on the rocky coast of Marin County. They traveled to Steep Ravine many times over the years with their children and grandchildren, crossing the San Francisco Bay from their home in Berkeley – a short distance, but worlds away. Surrounded by the wildness of natural elements on the western edge of Mount Tamalpais, this became a profoundly significant place for Dorothea Lange and her entire family. Throughout her many visits to the cabin, Dorothea Lange took over one thousand photographs of her family and the environment at Steep Ravine. This exhibition is one the first times many of these images have been printed and publicly displayed. It is also one of the first times an audience has the opportunity to see and experience the work that captivated Lange in the last years of her life.

Tennessee Valley Beach Changes Its Look

Have you visited Tennessee Valley Beach lately?
Nature seemed to have taken control over a longtime familiar landscape on December 29, 2012.
A small crowd of only ten or twenty people were witness to the facelift or rather facedrop that day. One person in particular was able to catch the whole process on camera! Click here for the sequence as it happened.

Wheelchair Access to Mt Tam Trails

The best way to view Marin is from the top of Mount Tamalpais 

From the highest point of the mountain at East Peak, any visitor can traverse the paved trail for those fantastic photo ops to bring home!
If one is unable to hike any part of the mountain, there are a number of wheelchair access trails to try out:
The Verna Dunshee Trail circumvents the East Peak offering extraordinary panoramic views of Marin and the San Francisco Bay area. This trail is accessible for its .7 mile length. There is accessible parking, picnic tables, restroom facilities, and drinking fountain available at the trailhead.

The Old Mine trail (packed dirt) at Pantoll is also accessible by wheelchair. 

Spectacular vistas may be seen from this .4 mile portion of the trail from Pantoll as well as the .25 miles of the McKennan Trail. An accessible campsite, restroom and parking area are additionally available at the Pantoll Ranger Station. Both the Alice Eastwood campground and Pantoll campground have ADA access. 

Cabin #1 and campsite #7 at Steep Ravine are both accessible for wheelchair access.

The Frank Valley Horse Camp is accessible and has an accessible ramp to assist riders from a chair to a horse with additional assistance from the chair users party.

The Mountain Theater has a wheelchair platform on the right side of the theater for all of their Spring performances.

A Grand Night at Sweetwater Music Hall

Located in the Masonic Hall at 19 Corte Madera Avenue, the Sweetwater Music Hall offers food, drinks, and a broad spectrum of live music and entertainment, including Open Mic Mondays with Marin County keys player Austin DeLone. The space is also available for private events. In addition to entertainment, the Sweetwater Music Hall includes a full-service restaurant and on-site catering led by renowned chef-restaurateur Gordon Drysdale, who offers artfully crafted, fresh, locally sourced and organic fare.
Last week's performance of the "Big Mix" was a unique blend of "Dharma Boogie at Its Best" with beat poet Michael McClure, Ray Manzarek (Keyboard for The Doors), George Brooks (bass player for Etta James), Kai Eckhardt (saxophonist for John McClaughlin), and drummer Jay Lane (Bob Weir & Ratdog). Bob Weir was the evening's surprise guest!

Mill Valley Film Festival Point Reyes Documentary

Rebels with a Cause: The Mill Valley Film Festival presented a wonderful documentary on how the Point Reyes National Seashore came into being. I would recommend anyone interested in learning more about this incredible park to watch and delight! To view additional pictures and read more of what of these local heros accomplished, visit any of the following informative websites: www.mvff.com/photo-album/rebels-with-a-cause  and  www.facebook.com/RebelsDocumentary

Point Reyes National Seashore celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. From its trademark lighthouse to 150 miles of trails, the seashore attracts over 2 million visitors a year and is home to ranchers, oyster farmers and abundant wildlife. But the story of how environmentalists and politicians joined forces to save the area from development is less well known.

Mill Valley Film Festival Opening Night Gala

Mill Valley's Opening Night of Film Festival 2012

The Mill Valley Film Festival is currently celebrating 35 years of the best independent and world cinema through October 14, 2012.  Don't miss their lineup this season of high-quality, innovative programming!
Last night's opening gala at The Depot highlighted local chef's, in partnership with local farms, who brought the best of Marin's culinary treasures to the table.

Marin's End of Summer Activities

Summer still lingers on in Marin County well through September! Here are some ideas on how to extend those ever shortening days...

Spend a day in Mill Valley doing a number of family oriented activities. 

There is family-friendly paddle boarding on a Mill Valley creek with easy on/off access - just be sure to not get wet!

Ride a bike along the "Mill Valley to Sausalito" scenic bike trail. Traverse an open wetland marsh where egrets and pelicans abound. Stop on any number of trailside benches and enjoy the view.

Pass a bike park and watch the daredevils maneuver their acrobatics on wheels~

Relax with Fido along the numerous walking paths in the bayside dog park, or watch him run amok with the other canines.  Either way, you can't beat these last few days of warm weather in Marin!

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.

The Race Boats Are Here This Weekend

Watch the Catamarans rip up the Bay this weekend!

The America’s Cup World Series has finally arrived on the San Francisco Bay 

through August 26^th, 2012. 

This is just a warm-up for the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series and the America’s Cup in 2013 - right here on our Bay again. Anyone and everyone will be able to watch and enjoy these races. This weekend, view the races from the bay on the Red and White Fleet.   Cruises depart from Pier 43 ½ frequently. Grab a seat in the bleachers or bring your own chair and find a spot along the water. Either way is sure to provide a great view!

For a current viewing of the races, view the webcam: 

Woodpecker Trail from the Bear Valley Visitor Center

Looking for an easy and short hike with the family? Start at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Only 1.6 miles in length, the Woodpecker Trail meanders through a number of different landscapes and terrain providing interpretive signs along the way for explorers of all ages! Listen for the command performance of woodpeckers pounding their heads in search of food. And note the Stellar's jay's scolding "caw" bidding you farewell from its home as you walk through a Winter's foggy meadow.

Keep wildness in your life and revisit the Woodpecker Trail often. No two trips nor trails are ever quite the same.

Three Beaches and One Hike: Tomales Bay State Park

Hike to Three Beaches

Begin at Jepson Trailhead

What a gem of a hike this is!
When it is foggy or windy in Point Reyes, try exploring the protected areas in Tomales Bay State Park. At every turn there are scenic views of twisted California Oak trees, Tomales Bay, and lush vegetation in a "made  for Marin" rainforest. Not only is it beautiful, with stops at three different beaches along the round-trip 4.5mile  trail, but it is educational as well.

Marin Rainforest

Heart's Desire Beach

Park your car in the small parking area located one mile out on Pierce Point Road, just before the entrance to Tomales Bay State Park. Begin at the Jepson Trailhead, and follow the Johnstone trail left to Pebble Beach 1.6 miles out, where you can stop and spend time exploring the sandy beach and wade in the calm water. Follow the trail to Heart’s Desire Beach, and walk through a lush rainforest which has been produced by winter rains and summer fog. Heart’s Desire is a larger beach with picnic tables, restrooms and it's own parking area. 

Bridge to Indian Beach

Interpretive Signs 

Continue across the beach, and take the signed Indian Nature Trail to Indian Beach. Along the way, read the park plaques about the indigenous Miwok Indian way of life, and how they utilized the coastal environment to the best of their advantage for both food and medicinal purposes. At the bridge, head down the beach and explore the Indian kotchas, which are reconstructed Miwok bark lodges.

The Kotchas on Indian Beach

After leaving beach number three, walk around the marsh back towards Heart’s Desire beach again, then take the Jepson trail uphill from there back to the originating parking area. 
Overall, this is a very scenic hike, with minimal elevation change, and perfect for a hot Marin Weekend offering 80% shaded trails and beach access.

Beautiful Picnic Areas

Getting There: From Hwy 101 in Greenbrae, take Sir Francis Drake West to Olema. Turn Right on Hwy One for 200 yards then left onto Bear Valley Road and right on Sir Francis Drake again towards Pierce Point Road. Once on Pierce Point Road, drive for 1.0 mile and turn right into the parking area.

If you want to first picnic and wade in the bay, you might want to drive directly into the park (pay fee) at Heart’s Desire Beach and from there you can chose a shorter hike.

Western Weekend in Point Reyes

Did you make it out to Point Reyes Station over the weekend?

The 62nd annual Western Weekend this past Sunday celebrated with an over the top parade representing all the uniqueness of the area! It was a great way to get a taste of the local scene in West Marin. Despite the overcast weather, the parade began promptly at noon in Point Reyes Station and there was everything from funky art floats to tractor displays. The weekend represents the ranching roots of West Marin, with 4-H exhibits and homecoming queens.

“The Western Weekend parade is the real eclectic mix of the area, combining the cowboy with the local food and the local artists. It’s real local fun.”

Photos are the courtesy of Patti Daniel from Texas

Dinner with Music in San Rafael

Dine while listening to music

If you are new to Marin, vacationing in our area, or just a local  looking for an evening of dining with great entertainment, head to the Panama Hotel.

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings the hotel's restaurant offers up sumptuous menu items to accompany eclectic music for all types of night seekers! Wednesday evening performances are on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and can showcase music anywhere from a solo acoustic guitar to a Latin Jazz band.


The ambiance is casual and warm with just the right amount of elegance; and there is ample opportunity to sit close to the performers.

David Brewer playing Flamenco

The weekly music usually varies from jazz and blues to Swing Fever and Brazilian bosa nova. Make sure you check out the musical lineup on  their calendar before heading out since it changes each month.

Dinner at the Panama restaurant is served from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and music is from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended if you want a table with the best view, otherwise there is usually space at the bar for eating if the room is full.
4 Bayview Street, San Rafael
www.panamahotel.com

Discovering Mill Valley's Secret Steps, Lanes and Paths

Living in Mill Valley and navigating the twisty, curvy roads that traverse the canyons and hills can be quite an adventure.

In the late 1800's, Mill Valley began as a pedestrian-friendly town, with hundreds of short-cuts meandering up and down the hills that provided connections between the streets on Mill Valley's hillside to the streets on the flatland.

The Steps, Lanes and Paths of Mill Valley were constructed in 1890 and was designed to be used by residents as an easy way to get to town and to public transportation (historically, the train station at The Depot).


Many of Mill Valley’s older hillside neighborhoods have roads that follow the contours of the hills where driving can be somewhat circuitous.

Today, the same narrow stairways and paths provide direct connections for pedestrians as they did in the past. The right of way still exists to include these passageways which continue to provide connections between streets, commercial areas and other hillside neighborhoods. Some of these facilities are simple pathways while others are steep enough to require stairways.

 After years of neglect, citizens along with the City, began an effort to identify and rebuild these historic Steps, Lanes and Paths in 2000.The Steps, Lanes and Paths (SLP) project is now funded through the City of Mill Valley's Vegetation Management Program. The program allows crews to clear vegetation, replace steps and add marker posts to identify these pathways should you care to explore them on your own.

An added benefit is that in the event of an emergency, these facilities can can also be used as safe evacuation routes in case roads should become blocked.

A Mill Valley Steps, Lanes and Paths map may be purchased at the Mill Valley Public Library for $5.00.

Enjoy!

Go Giants! The Trophy Tour in Marin

It was February 23rd at the San Rafael Community Center and everything was Black and Orange for the Giants Trophy! The Marin CVB was well represented by staff members and friends.

The Lines Were Long, but...

Giants fans were invited to come view the Trophy which was on display from 10:30am to 12:30pm. By about 11:00 a.m., an estimated 1,000 people had lined up to see the trophy, and organizers were expecting more to show up before the event was over at 12:30 p.m.

The MCVB was well represented

The Trophy Tour will make a few detours when it travels to the Giants Spring Training Facility in Scottsdale, Arizona and to New York City to pay tribute to those New York/San Francisco Giants baseball fans residing on the east coast.  It will also make a trip to Troy, New York – where the team was originally founded – and a visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

The trophy will tour the neighborhoods of San Francisco eventually making its way to AT&T Park for the home opener on April 8, 2011.