To The North: Beauty On The Other Side Of The Golden Gate Bridge
Marin County is one of the most well-kept secret places in the North Bay, hiding a unique beauty that makes it the ideal escape from routine and busy life.
Many people come to Northern California to enjoy the beauty and attractions of San Francisco, limiting their stay to no farther north than the Golden Gate, without even considering the idea of something else beyond the big city. However, those who dare to cross the bridge and venture further north, generally live an unparalleled experience and discover a wide variety of activities, outdoor excursions, and destinations of Marin County.
Once you go through the Robin Williams Tunnel that follows from the Golden Gate north, the natural, architectural, and even meteorological experiences change drastically. Do not forget that many times, it is possible to find fog and drizzle on one side of the tunnel, while on the other side, the sun shines at its maximum splendor. That is why crossing these small hills is synonymous with natural diversity and undisputed beauty.
If this were not enough, the culinary diversity present on the other side of the bridge is a great gift to the palate. Northbound from San Francisco, the first destination is Sausalito. There, the elements meet for a day of relaxation and detoxification. First class food, with a great variety of European, Asian and Latin influences, make Sausalito the ideal place to sit on the edge of the Bay and taste unique flavors. The wide range of wines is unmatched. You will find international wines from France, Italy, Chile, Argentina and more, as well as local wines, from nearby Sonoma and Napa.
Continuing north, you will find the town of Tiburon on the East of Highway 101, and Mill Valley on the West. Both are unique places in cultural diversity. From Tiburon, the view of the Bay is unbeatable. The entire town is beautifully designed and built so that people can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Bay and of course the beautiful San Francisco skyline. Walk through Tiburon with a gelato while you enjoy the view of the Bay, the skyscrapers of The City, the bridges that connect the northern lands, and of course the beautiful Angel Island, which you can reach from Tiburon. If you take a ferry, in just 10 minutes, you will be enjoying the 360 ​​degree panoramic view of the entire north of the Bay. Angel Island is one of my favorite places in Marin County.
Once you have finished your gelato, you can jump to Mill Valley, to enjoy a cultural artistic show or watch a movie in a cinema that architecturally transports you to the past, or simply enjoy a good book in one of Mill Valley’s parks or the library. Mill Valley is simply a space where your mind and your imagination can gather strength and replenish your soul. And if it starts getting late - close to sunset - and you want to enjoy a drink with your friends, head to one of my favorite bars just west of the center of Mill Valley: the 2am club. There you can enjoy a good drink, great conversation and pool tables with your friends.
Continuing West along the Highway 1, the panorama begins to change, ascending toward one of the most magnificent views in the North Bay: Mount Tamalpais. The road to the top of Mt. Tam consist mainly of curves, which can be somewhat complex for some drivers. The truth is that it does not matter how steep and curved the road may be, nor does it matter that it takes more than 40 minutes to drive from downtown Mill Valley, because the natural beauty that makes up the view from the top of Mount Tamalpais is exaggeratedly magnificent. It leaves you speechless and breathless. Everything is worth it to be there. Of course, beauty is not only found in the final destination. The entire trip from downtown is marked by an endless number of redwood trees, and the higher you go, the better the view toward the Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
At the end of your journey on Mount Tamalpais, you can decide whether to follow your path northward to the ocean, its cliffs and curves; or simply take Bolinas to the north-east, to enjoy the richness and beauty offered by the other towns in Marin County, including Farifax, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Larkspur or Kentfield. For me, every weekend, I enjoy a good morning hike in Fairfax surrounded by serenity among redwoods and mountains, a culinary tasting in the farmer’s market of San Rafael or San Anselmo, and nothing better than to end the day with friends among beers and pool tables in Larkspur. Yes, that is without a doubt my perfect Sunday.
*Soon more places to visit in Marin county, with more descriptions, details and tips.
