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. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View