Larkspur

Day Trips

Your first morning begins with a scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge as you make your way to Larkspur. After checking into your cozy boutique hotel, treat yourself to a hearty breakfast at a local café featuring freshly baked pastries and farm-to-table eggs. Take a leisurely stroll along Magnolia Avenue, exploring antique shops and flower-adorned storefronts.

In the afternoon, sample fresh seafood at the historic Larkspur Landing while watching boats drift by on Corte Madera Creek. Explore the Marin Country Mart’s upscale boutiques, artisanal stores and gourmet market stalls. Don’t miss a visit to the charming Larkspur train depot for a photo op and local history.

As dusk falls, reserve a table at one of downtown’s farm-to-table restaurants to enjoy seasonal dishes paired with local wines. Take a post-dinner stroll along the boulevard, admiring the glow of street lamps against Victorian facades. Finish the evening with a nightcap at a cozy wine bar or craft brewery, mingling with friendly locals.

Fuel up with a breakfast burrito or yogurt parfait at a café on Magnolia Avenue before heading to Mount Tamalpais State Park. Drive along Panoramic Highway as the morning light unveils sweeping views of the Marin Headlands and Pacific Ocean. Set off on the East Peak hike, breathing in the crisp mountain air as you ascend among towering redwoods.

Pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic overlook, savoring local cheeses, charcuterie and fresh fruit. Continue along the Redwood Creek Trail to discover fern-lined groves and hidden springs. Learn about the area’s natural history at the park’s visitor center before heading back down.

Return to Larkspur in time for dinner at a rustic tavern featuring hearty regional fare and craft beers. Relax on a heated patio under string lights and watch the stars emerge above the hills. Cap off the night with a short walk to a local gelateria for a sweet treat.

Begin your day at sunrise with guided birdwatching along the Corte Madera Marsh boardwalk. Scan the reeds for herons, egrets, sandpipers and migrating waterfowl through a pair of binoculars. Enjoy a boxed breakfast of locally roasted coffee and artisan pastries amid peaceful marsh vistas.

Rent a kayak from a nearby outfitter and paddle through winding channels, observing harbor seals and muskrats along the banks. Stop for lunch on a floating dock and savor a homemade sandwich while listening to tidal rhythms. Photograph the vibrant sunset hues reflecting on the glassy water as you return your kayak.

Dine at a waterfront restaurant near the creek, feasting on fresh oysters and Pacific salmon. Take a sunset stroll along the levee trail to watch flamingos and cranes return to their roosts. End the evening warming up with a bowl of clam chowder at a cozy local bistro.

Drive a short distance to Sausalito and enjoy brunch at a seaside café overlooking Richardson Bay. Wander the narrow streets lined with houseboats, galleries and artisanal shops. Snap photos of the San Francisco skyline framed by sailboats drifting on the water.

Visit the Bay Model Visitor Center to learn about local waterways through a massive hydraulic scale model. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, popping into gourmet cheese shops and boutique clothing stores. Take a mid-afternoon ferry back to Larkspur for a relaxing ride across the bay.

Reserve a table at a waterfront grill in Larkspur for sunset views and inventive cocktails. Savor dishes featuring locally sourced produce while the twilight sky glows orange and pink. Finish the night with live acoustic music at an intimate lounge in the heart of town.

Catch the ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island State Park, enjoying panoramic bay views on the water. Upon arrival, hike or rent a bike to explore former military bunkers and well-preserved historic buildings. Fuel up with a trail mix snack and filter water at historic spigots amid eucalyptus groves.

Settle on a grassy knoll for a picnic lunch prepared with local charcuterie and fresh fruit. Join a ranger-led tram tour to learn about the island’s rich history, including its role as an immigration station. Wander along Perimeter Road for 360-degree vistas of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and Marin coastline.

Return to the mainland via a late-afternoon ferry and relax back in Larkspur. Choose a farm-to-fork dinner spot that offers seasonal tasting menus and panoramic creek views. Unwind with a glass of nearby Sonoma County Pinot Noir under a canopy of fairy lights.

Rise early for a scenic drive to Point Reyes National Seashore, stopping en route for freshly brewed coffee and pastries. Hike down to the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, listening for sea lions and whales offshore. Bundle up against the ocean breeze as you explore tide pools filled with starfish and anemones.

Continue your coastal adventure with lunch at a Tomales Bay oyster shack, sampling fresh bivalves and clam chowder. Wander through Prairie Creek Trail to spot tule elk grazing in meadows. Pause at Chimney Rock to watch migrating gray whales against crashing surf.

Head back to Larkspur for a relaxed dinner at a rustic gastropub featuring local brews. Share a platter of hand-cut fries and artisanal sausages by a warm hearth. End the evening with a moonlit walk along the creekside trail to listen to frogs and crickets.

After breakfast, drive west to Marin’s award-winning wineries nestled in rolling hills. Begin with a guided tasting of estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at a family-run vineyard. Tour the barrel room and learn about the winemaking process from grape to glass.

Enjoy a gourmet lunch on a sun-drenched patio paired with the winery’s bold Syrah. Continue your tasting journey at a boutique biodynamic winery, strolling the vineyards and meeting the winemakers. Sample experimental small-batch releases and take home a bottle or two.

Return to Larkspur in time for a cozy dinner at a Creekside restaurant specializing in Italian-inspired fare. Pair your pasta with a local Rosé or Cabernet Sauvignon. Conclude the night with an after-dinner limoncello or chocolate truffle pairing.

Rent a comfortable cruiser bike at Larkspur Landing and set off along the scenic Bay Trail. Pedal through Corte Madera Creek marshes, spotting egrets and herons in the grasses. Stop at designed overlooks for photos of distant sailboats and shimmering wetlands.

Pause for a picnic lunch on a creekside bench with a view of the Tiburon Hills. Continue along the trail through Corte Madera and onto the Belvedere Lagoon boardwalk. Refuel with a smoothie or gelato at a waterfront café before heading back.

Return your bike and freshen up at your accommodation. Seek out a neighborhood taco joint for casual dinner tacos and margaritas. Wind down at a rooftop bar sipping sparkling wine while gazing at the Marin evening skyline.

Start your day with a visit to MarinMOCA in Novato to explore rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Attend a morning workshop or artist talk if available, then grab an espresso in the museum café. Wander the sculpture garden for an al fresco art encounter.

Head back to Larkspur for the weekly farmers market, browsing stalls of organic produce, homemade jams and artisan bread. Chat with local farmers about heirloom tomatoes, lavender honey and wildflower bouquets. Sample farm-fresh cheeses and grab a seasonal salad for an outdoor lunch.

Reserve early tickets for a live show at the historic Lark Theatre or a jazz night at a local club. Before the performance, dine on global fusion fare at a nearby bistro. After the curtain call, enjoy a late-night stroll under string lights in the downtown plaza.

On your final morning, indulge in a leisurely brunch at a garden-enclosed café offering avocado toast and fresh-pressed juices. Take in the scent of jasmine and roses blooming in the courtyard as you savor each bite. Reflect on highlights of your trip while planning future adventures in Marin.

Pack your bags and load them into the car, then swing by the Larkspur Ferry Terminal for optional round-trip tickets to San Francisco. Enjoy one last bay crossing, watching the city skyline draw near and bidding farewell to the Marin shore. Grab a gourmet sandwich for the road from a waterfront deli.

Return home or continue onward with a heart full of coastal memories. Enjoy dinner en route at a scenic roadside overlook, recounting favorite moments with travel companions. Drift off to sleep dreaming of redwood forests, bay vistas and the charming town of Larkspur.