Just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate is Mount Tamalpais.  It has redwood groves and oak woodlands with a spectacular view from the 2,571-foot peak.

On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco and the bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo. On rare occasions, the Sierra Nevada's snow-covered mountains can be seen 150 miles away.

Coastal Miwok Indians lived in the area for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. In 1770, two explorers named the mountain La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco, which was later changed to the Miwok word Tamalpais.

With the Gold Rush of 1849, San Francisco grew and more people began to use Mount Tamalpais for recreation. Trails were developed and a wagon road was built. Later, a railway was completed and became known as "The Crookedest Railroad in the World." It was abandoned in 1930 after a wildfire damaged the line.

About Service Reductions at Mt. Tamalpais
The Bootjack parking lot, inlcuding its restroom facilities, will only be open weekends and some holidays November 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.  This area may be open during the weekdays the week before Easter and the week after Easter.  

Alice Eastwood Group Camp will be closed November 1, 2009 through March 25, 2010.  It will go back on the reservation system (though Reserve America) on March 26, 2010.  Current reservations will be honored. 

The Frank Valley Horse Camp will be closed November 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
 
The Pantoll walk-in campground will continue to stay open on a first come, first served basis.

There will be new fee areas at Rock Spring parking lot and the parking lot on Panoramic Highway across from the Mountain Home Inn.

California State Parks is facing an unprecedented budget reduction and you may experience service reductions during your visit.  We hope that our loyal visitors understand and appreciate the severe budget reductions that have occurred and help us minimize the cost impacts to the system.

Facilities and Activities
Hiking and Bicycle Trails: More than 50 miles of trail are within the park and connect to a larger, 200-mile-long trail system. Bicyclists are challenged by the twisting road to the top of the park's summit.

The park has the Bootjack Picnic Area with tables, stoves, piped drinking water and flush toilets.

The East Peak Summit features a visitor center and a refreshment stand that are usually only open on weekends (during the summer, the refreshment stand is open daily). Phone, picnic tables and fully accessible restroom are also available.

The Mountain Theater (a.k.a. The Cushing Memorial Theater) in the park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The natural-stone amphitheater seats 3,750 people and features the Mountain Play each spring, produced every year since 1913.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm, fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is best.