Baltimore Canyon's autumn display is as close to New England's fall foliage as one can find in Marin, according to Don Grafe, a Marin County Open Space District ranger. Roll along Mt. Tam's north-side residential roads, through the ritzy Kentfield zip code, until you hit Crown Road. Soaking up the light-greens and yellows of the impressive bigleaf maples, cross the gate and set out on a relatively flat portion of the Crown Fire Road. A look beyond your immediate surroundings reveals a patchwork quilt of colors unfolding across the horizon. For a short, heart-pumping hike, make a loop by way of the Dawn Falls Trail, which drops into a dry creek canyon and traverses pockets of beautiful redwood, oak, and other deciduous trees. The climb out of the canyon on Barbara Springs Trail is a bit burly, but upon reaching the top, you'll be rewarded with the section of the fire road that offers the area's number one display of maple madness. Eat your heart out, Vermont!

From Highway 101 going north, exit Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Continue to the town of Kentfield and turn left onto College Ave. Take a right on Woodland Rd., then a left on Evergreen Rd. Take this up the mountain; turn left on Crown Rd., drive to the end and park.

Trail Notes: To take the three-mile loop, cross the gate found at the end of Crown Rd. to follow the Crown Fire Rd. Take the Dawn Falls Trail left; continue for a little over a mile. Turn right and go up Barbara Springs Trail (keep your eyes peeled for this sign—it's not facing the hiker as you approach from our recommended route). Turn right onto Crown Fire Rd., which takes you back to your car. For more information, click here.