Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
51
Sushi Ran
B7
Drinking & Nightlife
52
Mill Valley Beerworks
D3
Shopping
53
Book Passage
E2
If there's a part of the Bay Area that consciously attempts to live up to the California
dream, it's Marin County. Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, the re-
gion has a wealthy population that cultivates a seemingly laid-back lifestyle. Towns may
look like idyllic rural hamlets, but the shops cater to cosmopolitan and expensive tastes.
The 'common' folk here eat organic, vote Democrat and drive hybrids.
Geographically, Marin County is a near mirror image of San Francisco. It's a south-
pointing peninsula that nearly touches the north-pointing tip of the city, and is surrounded
by ocean and bay. But Marin is wilder, greener and more mountainous. Redwoods grow on
the coast side of the hills, the surf crashes against cliffs, and hiking and cycling trails cris-
scross the blessed scenery of Point Reyes, Muir Woods and Mt Tamalpais. Nature is what
makes Marin County such an excellent day trip or weekend escape from San Francisco.
Information
866-925-2060,
415-925-2060;
www.visitmarin.org
; 1 Mitchell Blvd, San Rafael;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
provides tour-
ist information for the entire county.
Getting There & Around
Busy Hwy 101 heads north from the Golden Gate Bridge ($7 toll when heading back into
San Francisco), spearing through Marin's middle; quiet Hwy 1 winds its way along the
sparsely populated coast. In San Rafael, Sir Francis Drake Blvd cuts across west Marin
from Hwy 101 to the ocean.
