Tamorama!

Matt Davis, Coastal, Cataract Trails on Tam

Wide-open coastal views, wildflowers, and a waterfall—get spring-loaded on a 6.5-mile (round-trip) hike that links together Mount Tam's Matt Davis, Bolinas Ridge, and Cataract trails. Start off weaving under a canopy of Douglas fir, oak, and bay trees before breaking out to a meadow festooned with golden poppies, purple lupine, and iris.

Expansive views from here stretch up and down the coast: to the south lies Ocean Beach, and as you round the bend in the trail, the turquoise waters of Bolinas Lagoon sparkle. Bolinas Ridge Trail’s singletrack brings an unbeatable vantage of Stinson Beach (look out for hang gliders!), and en route you’ll pass the rusty remains of a car that crashed decades ago. Laurel Dell picnic area makes a nice, shaded place for a break with its clutch of tables and a grill. Here you can take a 10-minute detour to the mist-covered rocks and big leaf maples of Cataract Falls.

The home stretch crisscrosses the creek via Cataract Trail and culminates in a beautiful descent on Old Mine Trail—a little used gem with some of the biggest views you can find of San Francisco, Oakland, and the North Bay. Hot Tam!

BONUS: As part of California State Parks Week, Mount Tamalpais State Park is hosting Bio Blitz (Support Climate Resilience) on June 16.

Begin at the Pantoll Ranger Station parking lot off Panoramic Hwy. (map) where you can also pick up a trail map. It’s $8 to park. Cross the highway to start the Matt Davis Trail. After 1.5 miles go right at the intersection with the Bolinas Ridge/Coastal Trail. Follow Bolinas Ridge/Coastal Trail for 1.75 miles. Turn right on the Willow Camp Fire Road and go up to Ridgecrest Blvd. Cross the road and continue on dirt road to Laurel Dell. Take a side trip to Cataract Falls, then head to Rock Spring via Cataract Trail. At Rock Spring, cross the parking area and bear left up a signed fire road toward Mountain Theater, then bear right on Old Mine Trail. Follow it back to Pantoll. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    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. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

    View
  4. 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