Six Fantastic Fall Family Hikes in Marin

Fall's weather is some of the finest of the year in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area, so make sure you take some time to hit the trail and take in a hike before the weather turns really rainy. The coastal areas in Northern California are particularly nice in the fall, and are often warmer and clearer than it is inland.

Here are five of our favorite fall outdoor excursions in Marin County that are perfect for families.

• Samuel P. Taylor State Park, with its towering redwoods and rushing creeks, is a favorite spot for outdoor activities in Marin. Located off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Lagunitas, it offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and camping. Look for spawning coho salmon in Lagunitas Creek later on this fall and winter.
• The Marin Headlands, located at the very southern end of Marin County, offers so much for families: beaches, hiking trails, a 19th-century lighthouse, the world-renowned Marine Mammal Center, and more. It's definitely worth at least one visit this fall.
• Take a hike among the majestic trees of Roy's Redwoods Open Space Preserve near San Geronimo, especially before the trails get really muddy. This small preserve features some of Marin's largest coast redwoods and is a great place for a family hike.
• The Point Reyes National Seashore visitor center at Bear Valley is home to a number of fantastic family friendly hikes. The short, paved Earthquake Trail is an ideal introduction to the outdoors for little ones, and the Bear Valley Trail is a good choice when you're up for more of a challenge. There's also the visitor center itself with its natural history exhibits, the Morgan Horse Ranch, and the reconstructed Coast Miwok village Kule Loklo.
• Novato's Rush Creek Open Space Preserve features trails that wind through oak forests and skirt sloughs and wetlands. It's a great place to look for birds and other wildlife, and it's the perfect place for an easy family hike or bike ride.
• Just outside the town of Fairfax you'll find Sky Oaks trailhead and Lake Lagunitas. Located on Marin Municipal Water District lands, this area on Mt. Tamalpais offers hiking and mountain biking on 130 miles of trails, as well as picnicking, fishing, and stunning views of Mt. Tam.