Dawn Ho!

Dawn Falls in Baltimore Canyon

Tucked at the end of a sleepy residential street in Larkspur, it's easy to miss the narrow path that drops into Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve, where serene redwoods resemble a condensed Muir Woods—without the crowds! The big winter draw? Dawn Falls, a majestic display of cascading water that after heavy rains gushes from the overlook at its precipice into an engorged Larkspur Creek 25 feet below. Get there via a gentle 2.2-mile out-and-back stroll, following the trail down to the forest floor and over a wooden bridge to the junction. Sunlight rarely penetrates to the soil here, creating the perfect oasis for fairy paths of ferns and mushrooms to take root while California giant salamanders and steelhead lurk in deeper pools of storm run-off. Turn right onto Dawn Falls Trail and follow the creek uphill through a thriving mix of madrone, bay, big-leaf maple, and second-growth redwoods. A large gray boulder marks a series of tight and steep switchbacks leading to the top of the falls and turnaround point. Return the way you came, or explore adjacent Ladybug, Southern Marin Line, and strenuously narrow Barbara Springs trails for a longer loop. Don't wait to visit—the falls quickly dry up and are best after steady rainfall.

In Corte Madera, exit Hwy. 101 at Tamalpais Dr. Go west on Tamalpais and veer left onto Redwood. Take a quick right at the stop sign onto Corte Madera Rd. which becomes Magnolia. Turn left onto Madrone Ave. Follow Madrone (which turns into Valley Way) 0.8 mile to a turnaround at the very end. Free parking available in designated roadside spaces, but the residential street is narrow and easily congested. Park on Madrone Ave. before Echo Pl. to avoid any hassle.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View