Mount Tamalpais, California

Rising gracefully above the rolling hills of the coast range, Mount Tamalpais—Marin County’s tallest summit at 2,571 feet—dominates the northern skyline from almost anywhere in the Bay Area. Because of its proximity to the coast and vertical prominence, the peak creates its own microclimate, condensing coastal fog to hydrate the redwoods that cloak its western slopes, creating a unique and beautiful ecosystem to explore.

Mt. Tam, as it is affectionately referred to by locals, beckons seasoned outdoor adventurers and nature-deprived urbanites alike to enjoy the state park’s 6,300 acres of redwood and oak groves, steep trails, waterfalls, and sweeping views of the Pacific Coast.