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"Beach"
As even the most casual Bay Area hiker knows, Marin’s Mt. Tam is a blessing. The Stinson Beach/Steep Ravine loop is a classic Mt. Tam hike, showcasing some of the best scenery and views in the region. It’s the kind of hike that makes you marvel at living nearby. It’s a seven-mile loop, starting from the Matt Davis Trail head at Stinson Beach. The landscape changes as you move through various microclimates, and waterfalls and sweeping views await.
Baker Beach, way off in the northwest corner of the city and yet the southwest section of the Presidio, is a slice of San Francisco majesty. Cleaner, smaller and often less crowded than Ocean Beach, Baker offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the rolling Marin Headlands and the mighty Pacific. Weather, unsurprisingly, is fickle here, so check it before you head out. Sunbathers will take full advantage of even the slightest warmth, but more likely you’ll jackets and blankets will be in order.
Nestled in the Marin Headlands, a mere 20 minutes from the heart of San Francisco, is the exquisite Tennessee Valley trailhead, at its simplest a 3 mile there and back, where the ‘there’ is a stunning beach. The beach is actually a cove, surrounded by the sheer rock drops of the Headlands, which is to say it’s excessively beautiful and beautifully accessible.
Don’t mind the reclusive hippies, the lack of signs, or the funky, environmentally-friendly houses. Head to Bolinas for gorgeous views and a day at the beach. Surf with the seals, paddleboard or just hang out on the sand with a picnic from the People’s Market. But watch out: the playful pups could be the only thing coming between you and the great whites.
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