Tennessee Valley Day Trip

Our Local Expert Says:

An absolute must-see for any San Francisco visitor. You were going to go back home and tell your friends you DIDN'T see the Golden Gate Bridge up close?

Description:

Perhaps the most iconic bridge in the country, if not in the world, the rusted-orange expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge is a not-to-miss sight while in San Francisco. Connecting the city and neighboring Marin County to the north, the Golden Gate Bridge also serves as a gateway between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Although you'll be treated to glimpses of the bridge throughout the city, the best way to experience it is to walk or bike across, starting in the Presidio. You can then spend a serene afternoon strolling around the quaint Marin seaside city of Sausalito. If you prefer a gentler route, you can take a ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito or Tiburon (another beautiful Marin town full of great restaurants and nearby walking paths), gazing at the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, plus sailboats, kite-surfers, and the gorgeous Bay views along the way.

Description:

Accessible via a long bike ride from the city over the Golden Gate, but starting from Tennessee Valley Rd. cuts to the chase. This mega-loop (which can be broken up into two separate loops, one with two variations) is the definitive Marin Headlands experience, containing two of the only legal singletrack sections left in the area (one uphill only). Ride up from the east edge of the parking lot at the end of Tennessee Valley Rd. to a height of land, then descend to the bottom of Miwok Trail. An aerobic switchbacking fire road ascent puts you at the top of an ocean-view vista. Slightly past this point, veer to the left onto singletrack for your high-speed reward all the way back to the parking lot. If you still have some energy to burn, continue on the Mega Loop by veering west out of the parking lot along the Tennessee Valley Trail. Climb up the Coastal Trail (painfully steep) and begin following the ascending ridgeline. From here, you again must ask "Am I feeling lucky today?" If yes, bomb down the steep Coastal Fire Road to Muir Beach and follow it up with a great singletrack ascent (bikes allowed uphill only) back to the ridgeline. Then it's a meandering downhill down the Miwok Trail... read more

Description:

Heading north on Highway 101, from the Golden Gate Bridge, the small southern Marin "town" of Muir Beach is just 6 miles from the Highway 1 exit but feel a world away. It's comprised of around 150 homes of mainly full-time occupants, who are lucky enough to enjoy the 2 beaches, the surrounding Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mt. Tamalpais, nearby Muir Woods National Monument, Green Gulch Farm/Zen Center, Slide Ranch and the "old" English Pub---The Pelican Inn. This beautiful area is full of wildlife: Monarch butterflies in the pine trees, salmon in Redwood Creek, frogs in the pasture, fox, birds, deer, coyote. Horses and dogs are usually allowed on the beaches and some trails (but be sure to check with the rangers for updates or changes), the waves are great for boogie boarders and kayakers, the fishing is plentiful, and the star gazing is endless.

Description:

This unprepossessing spot is a smallish oasis of serenity in the Irving Street restaurant corridor specializing in the wonderful noodles of Japan: Soba, Udon, Gyoza and Ramen. The staff is friendly and glad to share their love of noodles with you. This restaurant is a good place for vegetarians, and a good place to save money. Note: Street parking can be difficult to find.

Description:

Dolores Park, in the Mission District, is very popular with young hipsters. On sunny weekends, virtually every inch of grass is covered with sunbathers and picnicers. The park also houses tennis courts and a playground, and has sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline.

Description:

Pizzeria Delfina is a small restaurant, and serves some of the best pizzas in town. Gorge on the different varieties and also choose a topping of your liking. Besides pizzas, the menu also offers pastas, antipasti and salads. If you are in the mood for some wine, try one of the 25 Italian wines that this place stocks.