Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau

Just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 1 grows an ancient coast redwood forest named Muir Woods. Within this isolated forest, visitors from all over the world continue to marvel at 1,000 year old giant redwood trees that tower 260 feet high. In 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt declared Muir Woods a national monument. The forest was named for conservationist John Muir. "This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world," declared conservationist John Muir when describing the majestic coast redwoods of Muir Woods.

The Mill Valley Film Festival, a world-renowned 11-day festival is held every October, screening over 200 innovative US and international films. The annual event is consistently rated as one of the top film festivals in the nation.

Point Reyes National Seashore was established to preserve and protect wilderness, natural eco-systems, and cultural resources along the diminishing undeveloped coastline of the western United States. The Seashore is a is a sanctuary for myriad plant and animal species and the human spirit.

Magnificent Mt. Tamalpais has 6,300 acres of redwood groves and oak woodlands with spectacular views from its 2,500 foot peak. It is a hikers and bikers paradise. The camping areas include 16 developed walk-in campsites, one horse group camp, 10 rustic cabins perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, and 8 primitive environmental sites. Mt. Tamalpais offers Wi-Fi so that campers can stay plugged into the Internet

Visitors to Stinson Beach experience the pleasures of this quiet beach community. Whether hiking, enjoying a picnic, exploring the town, or relaxing on the beach, people continue to find Stinson Beach a great place to escape from the frantic pace of everyday life, just as it has been for over a century.

Northern elephant seals, harbor seals, and sea lions are found at South Beach during the winter and also can be viewed from Chimney Rock. After being absent for more than 150 years, elephant seals returned to the Point Reyes Headlands in the early 1970s. From December through March a breeding colony of elephant seals can be observed from Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock, above Drakes Bay.

Culinary or food tourism is "the pursuit and enjoyment of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, both far and near", says World Food Travel Association. In a corner of the world known for fine family farms, gorgeous dairy land, fresh seafood, and a dedication to culinary craftsmanship, amazing meals are everywhere to be found. But if you’d rather not leave it to chance, visit Culinary Marin here. Culinary Marin features the people behind our food, whether it is farmers and their lands or Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) that protects farmland from development forever; the farmers markets that bring accessibility so that everyone can enjoy fresh, locally-sourced food to the masses; the chefs that bring the local and organic ingredients into their kitchens to make creative and aesthetically pleasing culinary presentations to guests. Culinary Marin will also feature culinary programs, culinary buzz for awards, press and events, and foodie resources.

Between December and May approximately 15,000 California gray whales travel 10,000 miles along the Pacific Coast from cold Arctic feeding grounds to warm, shallow breeding waters off Baja, California. During December and January the pregnant whales are traveling south, carrying their babies who will be born in the warmer waters off Mexico. From February through May the northward migration is lead by pregnant females while the mothers and babies trail behind, closer to the coast to avoid predators.