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.