It’s a new year and winter in the Bay Area and Marin County brings some rain along with fresh air and beautiful skies. It’s a great time of year to explore the outdoors and all the wonderful vibes of Northern California with these 12 fun things to do in Marin County.
Note: with Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in California, consult local guidelines and the following website before you go out and visit. Many parks are busy on the weekends and have reduced capacity for your safety. Perhaps treat yourself to a weekday activity.
1. Take at hike on the beach
Stinson Beach
Stinson’s white sand and oceanfront make it one of the best swimming beaches in GGNRA and northern California.
With opportunities for volleyball, hiking, picnicking, fishing, or surfing, people continue to visit Stinson Beach to escape from the frantic pace of everyday life, just they have been doing for over a century. The road to Stinson Beach is steep and winding. We recommend calling ahead for parking and weather updates. On hot days, the parking lot often fills before noon, and there are no overflow lots. Cars left in the parking lot after closing will be ticketed. Camping is not permitted.
- busy
- chill
- classic
- dramatic
Tomales Point Trailhead
Tomales Point (aka Pierce Point) is located at the northern end of Point Reyes National Seashore.
The Tomales Point area is a popular destination for visitors wishing to view tule elk, birds, and wildflowers. The historic Pierce Point Ranch offers a glimpse into the early dairy ranching days on the peninsula.
A short 0.4-mile (0.6-km) trail leads down to the beautiful McClures Beach. The 9.7-mile (15-km) round-trip Tomales Point Trail leads along the ridge crest of a narrow peninsula, offering spectacular views of Tomales Bay and Bolinas Ridge to the east, Bodega Bay to the north, and the coastline of the Point Reyes peninsula stretching to the south.
- outdoors
- hiking
- beautiful
- magical
Bolinas Beach
- family
- favorite
- local
- sunny
2. Support Local Businesses and Causes
Donate, shop, and eat at local businesses, which is a small way to show solidarity and support your community. Play Marin is one such group
Here are a few local restaurants and business with good vibes:
Burmatown
- favorite
- popular
- tasty
- local
Banh Mi Zon
We are family team and we are passionate about cooking authentic, simple and delicious Vietnamese food. We specialize in Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches and offer a collection of Vietnamese dishes based on our family recipes. Banhmizon currently operates in a food truck and catering to San Francisco and the Bay Area.
We provide breakfast/lunch/dinner to go or deliveries and catering for private and public events.
Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.
Please contact us at banhmizonus@gmail.com if you’re interested in placing an order or having us cater your event.
You can also find us at SF/Bay Area events, pop-ups and lunch markets. Stay in the loop via facebook, twitter and instagram (@banhmizonus)
- family
- local
- tasty
- popup
Picante
Taqueria
- amazing
- authentic
- chill
- classic
4. Go to a Farmers Market
Thursday Marin Farmers Market
The Thursday Marin Farmers Market is known as the local chef’s market welcoming premier chefs from around the Bay Area seeking out the freshest ingredients of the season.
Centrally located at the Civic Center in San Rafael, the Thursday farmers market offers a mid-week shopping opportunity. The Thursday market is also one of the most anticipated lunch destinations of the week. The Marin farmers market is open every Thursday, year-round, rain or shine, from 8am to 1pm.
The Thursday Marin Farmers Market features 100 local farmers, specialty food purveyors, and a handful of artisans.
The Thursday farmers market in Marin offers an abundance of free lot parking.
Our first farmers market opened in 1983 at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael on Thursday mornings. It was the first Certified Farmers Market in Marin County, soon followed by our Sunday Marin Civic Center Farmers Market – now the third largest farmers market in California. In 1987, Marin Farmers Markets (MFM), then Marin County Farmers Market Association, was established as a non-profit organization for the mutual benefit of the farmers and consumers. As the demand for farmers markets grew in the 1990’s, MFM began facilitating farmers markets in neighboring communities throughout the North Bay and East Bay. In 2006, MFM gained its 501(c)(5) non-profit status with the IRS as an agricultural membership organization.
- community
- fresh
- local
- live
Sunday Marin Farmers Market
The Sunday Civic Center market features nearly 200 local farmers, specialty food purveyors, and artisans.
The Sunday Marin Farmers Market first opened in 1987, and has grown to become the third largest farmers market in California. Despite gaining recognition throughout the country, the Sunday Civic Center market still maintains its Marin community roots. The majority of patrons are local eaters who visit the market religiously each week to take home the freshest foods of the season. The New York Times listed the Sunday Market as one of the top places to visit in Marin. Visit the market every Sunday, rain or shine, and see why the Marin farmers market is one of the largest local gatherings in the state! The Marin farmers market is open every Sunday, year-round, rain or shine, from 8am to 1pm.
- community
- fresh
- local
- live
5. Drink Local Wine
Check out these local vineyards
Trek Winery
The new winery in Marin has a wide array of vintages to offer and a beautiful new tasting room to enjoy them in. Our staff is friendly, knowledgeable and excited to show you the Trek experience.
Trek Winery was established August 1, 2007. After 17 years as an amateur winemaking family whose wines had won numerous awards, we decided to bond our winery so we could share our wines with the general public. Our wines are made to be distinctive yet affordable. Our first release was June 1, 2008. We have seen steady sales since that time, with an increased following.
Trek Winery is currently located in Novato, California. Our Winemaker and President is Andy Podshadley. Andy started his wine marketing career in the tasting room of Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves and quickly rose to the position of Northern California District Manager. He then moved to Allied Domecq Wines USA, the second largest wine company in the world at that time. He broadened his experience becoming the General Manager of a small winery in Sonoma.
- local
- bold
- boozy
- community
Point Reyes Winery
The Point Reyes Vineyard Inn is a romantic, secluded Mediterranean-style Inn nestled in a quiet pastoral setting with views of the Inverness Ridge and West Marin’s beautiful rolling hills. Cozy, comfortable rooms overlooking the vineyards and other beautiful landscapes.
- romantic
- wild
- folk
- local
6. Eat Local Cheese
8. Take a Hike to Waterfalls
Go Fishing and Eat Local Seafood
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