Mount Tamalpais State Park

Mount Tamalpais State Park is a California state park in Marin County centered on Mount Tamalpais, a prominent ridge and summit that towers over the northern San Francisco Bay. The mountain’s main summit is around 784 metres and the park is a major recreation and trail network for the Bay Area.

Extensive hiking, trail running and mountain biking routes traverse ridgelines, forest and chaparral with frequent viewpoints; the park links to coastal access and neighboring open space. The East Peak is the principal summit and is the most-used viewpoint for panoramic sights across the Bay and to the Pacific Ocean.

Land around Mount Tamalpais was protected and developed for public recreation in the 20th century under state park management, with access and facilities added over time to support hiking, picnicking and outdoor education. The mountain has long been a cultural and recreational landmark for the Marin and greater San Francisco communities.

The park occupies the slopes of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, north of the Golden Gate and the city of San Francisco; access points are near small towns such as Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, and it forms part of the coastal hills west of the Bay.

Vistas: On clear days the summit offers long-distance views across San Francisco Bay to the city and, offshore, the Farallon Islands; visibility depends on marine layer and seasonal weather.

What to See #

East Peak: The East Peak is the mountain's principal summit at about 784 metres and is the most-visited vantage point for panoramic views over the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

How to Get to Mount Tamalpais State Park #

Mount Tamalpais State Park is in Marin County north of San Francisco. By car from San Francisco, take US‑101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge, then follow signs to CA‑1/Pacific Coast Highway and take the Panoramic Highway (or East Shore/CA‑1 connections) up toward Mount Tamalpais; the drive is on the order of 20-25 miles and typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.

If coming from nearby Mill Valley the park is only a short drive (roughly 10-15 minutes) via Panoramic Highway. Several Marin Transit and seasonal shuttle services serve trailheads and nearby Muir Woods (walks of a few hundred meters to a kilometer may be required from shuttle stops to park trailheads).

Tips for Visiting Mount Tamalpais State Park #

Aim for early morning or late-afternoon visits to avoid weekend mid-day crowds and to get the clearest coastal views from the summit.
Drive up Panoramic Highway to the East Peak/Pantoll access for the shortest route to the summit and use the paved Verna Dunshee Trail loop at East Peak for an easy, panoramic walk.
Check Marin State Parks notices for parking closures or trail work-parking lots fill quickly on weekends, so arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after mid‑afternoon helps avoid full lots.

Best Time to Visit Mount Tamalpais State Park #

Late spring and fall are ideal for clear views and hiking on Mount Tamalpais; expect typical coastal fog in summer mornings.

Spring

March-May · 10°C to 20°C

Wildflowers peak in spring and trails are pleasant-one of the most popular times for hiking and views.

Summer (foggy mornings)

June-August · 10°C to 22°C

Coastal fog often blankets lower elevations in the morning with clearer conditions inland and in the afternoon.

Fall (clear and mild)

September-November · 10°C to 22°C

Often offers the clearest skies and very pleasant hiking conditions-excellent for panoramas of the Bay Area.

Weather & Climate near Mount Tamalpais State Park #

Climate

Mount Tamalpais State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1121 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

24°

Warmest Month

5°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions