Families looking for an easy, fun, and educational hike in Marin need look no further than Turtle Back Nature Trail in San Rafael's China Camp State Park. This 3/4-mile hike along a well-maintained and accessible loop trail offers sweeping vistas of San Pablo Bay, wildlife viewing, and the opportunity to learn a little bit about the natural communities that you'll find here.

Turtle Back Nature Trail winds its way around a small hill that resembles a turtle shell (hence the name). The path takes hikers through a variety of different natural environments, including open grasslands, salt marsh, and through a shady oak and bay laurel forest.

Look for birds like herons and egrets and other wildlife as you make your way along the trail.

Point Bonita Lighthouse stands sentinel over the Golden Gate, where it's warned ships of the hazards of the Marin's rugged coastline for over 150 years. The lighthouse is only reachable via a trail that passes through a rock-cut tunnel and over a swaying suspension bridge. The bridge was closed in 2010 due to structural stability problems, but the span was entirely rebuilt and is once again open to the public.

A trip to the Point Bonita Lighthouse is a fun family outing and a highlight of a visit to the Marin Headlands. It's also far easier to get to than Marin's other famous lighthouse in Point Reyes, but nearly as dramatic. It's also a great place to take out-of-town guests to check out a piece of San Francisco Bay Area history and take in some breathtaking views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a must-do outdoor adventure for families in Marin and the Bay Area!

Point Bonita Lighthouse was originally built in 1855 on the cliffs above the present site. The light proved difficult for mariners to see at this location, so the lighthouse was moved to its current location in 1877, which necessitated the creation of a 118-foot, hand-dug tunnel for access. The bridge was built in the 1950s, and was designed to reflect the design of its nearby bigger sibling, the Golden Gate Bridge. The lighthouse and fog horn are currently maintained and used by the United States Coast Guard, so it's still an actual functioning light station. Despite the presence of lighthouses at the Golden Gate, there were over 300 shipwrecks here in the 19th century.