Picnic With a View!

Who's hungry for a picnic with beautiful views? From the redwoods to the beach to the bay, here are three places in Marin to relax with a charcuterie or barbecue feast, along with bonus hikes and bike rides.

Week: 03.09.2022

Regions: Northern CA

BBQ by the Bay

Barbecue and picnic at China Camp State Park in Marin

Relaxing, Dog Friendly, Hikes

Picnic spots don't get more "on the Bay" than at China Camp State Park. This sprawling state park in Marin has several panoramic picnic spots (with BBQ grills) right on the shores of San Pablo Bay.

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Wine Country's Walkable Film Festival

Sonoma International Film Festival 25th Anniversary

Food, wine, films, backlot parties, and culinary events with celebrity chefs … yep, it’s good to be 25! The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is celebrating its 25th year in signature style this March 23 to 27.

Get Your Tickets

Muiraculous Beauty

Have a bonfire at Muir Beach in Marin

Dog Friendly, Relaxing, Hikes

Ready to make your non-California friends jealous? Have a bonfire at Muir Beach while watching the sunset. This is Northern California living at its most braggadocious.

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Samuel's Place

Picnic and bike ride at Samuel P Taylor State Park in Marin

Dog Friendly, Bike Rides, Relaxing, Hikes

Samuel P. Taylor State Park has all the fixings for a beautiful picnic combined with a hike or bike ride: redwood forest, babbling Lagunitas Creek, barbecue grills, and beautiful trails.

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

Trending Stories NorCal

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Walk on the Wise Side
A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (S
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Headlands Over Heels
People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.
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Greater by the Dozen
This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.
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Cheers to Chimney
If you’re looking for all that Point Reyes has to offer in spring, Chimney Rock is the place to be. The 1.75-mile (round-trip) hike to Chimney may be short, but it packs a visual punch, quadrupling the viewing thrills during spring.
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Trending Stories SoCal

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Can We Get a Whoop Whoop!
City, mountain, and ocean views all in one hike? Whoop whoop! It’s no surprise the the Kenter Fire Road and Whoop-de-Doos Trail (a combo of fire road and singletrack) is a favorite among local mountain bikers and hikers alike.
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The Big Chill
In LA, finding a place to chill can be the ultimate flex. So flex, in Franklin Canyon! This unexpected oasis has plenty of shade, cool lake breezes, and ample picnicking spots. Enjoy it on an easy-going 1-mile stroll along its reservoir and duck pond.
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Holcomb We Haven't Camped Here?
Holcomb Valley Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest has 19 pine-shaded sites, all of them first-come, first-served.
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Waterfall Hunter
If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.
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