I can't get enough of the all the open space in Marin County and the outdoor life that we lead here...one of the greatest joys of living in Marin County. I am always on the hunt for good outings for me and my dogs so the other day I made my way to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands just below the Marin Mammal Center.
It's another hidden gem that is easy to get to if you know where you are going. From Mill Valley it takes all of 8-10 minutes to get there. If you are going south on 101 take the last exit before you get to the Golden Gate Bridge, veer to your right so that you go under the over pass and loop back towards Sausalito. Once you get to Bunker Road make a left and just a few feet ahead you'll see a tunnel. It's a one lane tunnel so you'll hit a stop light that forewarns of a 5 minute wait. Go through the tunnel and you end up driving down a long windy road that takes you past the Presido Riding Club. Drive another 2 minutes and you start to see the beach. Park along side the road, take the bridge across Rodeo Lagoon and you are inches from the water.
Best time to go in my opinion is early in the morning when its still somewhat misty outside. You'll see other dog lovers out with their pups, sea trollers and lots of surfers. It's a sweet spot that's close to everything yet in the middle of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. If you go later on in the day, past 10:00AM you'll run into families with kids and its a bit more crowded. Walking there with your dogs early in the morning with a good cup of coffee and chucker in hand is simply splendid.
While you are there you can roam around the Marin Headlands Visitors Center or the Marine Mammal Center. Interested in the trails then take a look at the Marin Headlands Trail Map
If you're in search of another "off leash" trail for dogs in Marin County check out my other blog post and hit the trail up in the hills at Escalon Trail in Mill Valley, Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide in San Rafael, Crissy Fields in San Francisco near Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Mason near the San Francisco zoo. But don't be fooled, even though its up in the hills its a long flat trail that is perfect for the sunny lazy day with dogs.
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