Tamorama!

Matt Davis, Coastal, Cataract Trails on Tam

06.22.2017

Wide-open coastal views, wildflowers, and a waterfall—get spring-loaded on a 6.5-mile (round-trip) hike that links together Mount Tam's Matt Davis, Bolinas Ridge, and Cataract trails. Start off weaving under a canopy of Douglas fir, oak, and bay trees before breaking out to a meadow festooned with golden poppies, purple lupine, and iris.

Expansive views from here stretch up and down the coast: to the south lies Ocean Beach, and as you round the bend in the trail, the turquoise waters of Bolinas Lagoon sparkle. Bolinas Ridge Trail’s singletrack brings an unbeatable vantage of Stinson Beach (look out for hang gliders!), and en route you’ll pass the rusty remains of a car that crashed decades ago. Laurel Dell picnic area makes a nice, shaded place for a break with its clutch of tables and a grill. Here you can take a 10-minute detour to the mist-covered rocks and big leaf maples of Cataract Falls.

The home stretch crisscrosses the creek via Cataract Trail and culminates in a beautiful descent on Old Mine Trail—a little used gem with some of the biggest views you can find of San Francisco, Oakland, and the North Bay. Hot Tam!

BONUS: As part of California State Parks Week, Mount Tamalpais State Park is hosting Bio Blitz (Support Climate Resilience) on June 16.

Begin at the Pantoll Ranger Station parking lot off Panoramic Hwy. (map) where you can also pick up a trail map. It’s $8 to park. Cross the highway to start the Matt Davis Trail. After 1.5 miles go right at the intersection with the Bolinas Ridge/Coastal Trail. Follow Bolinas Ridge/Coastal Trail for 1.75 miles. Turn right on the Willow Camp Fire Road and go up to Ridgecrest Blvd. Cross the road and continue on dirt road to Laurel Dell. Take a side trip to Cataract Falls, then head to Rock Spring via Cataract Trail. At Rock Spring, cross the parking area and bear left up a signed fire road toward Mountain Theater, then bear right on Old Mine Trail. Follow it back to Pantoll. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman standing an looking at mural wall art in Cambodia Town Long Beach Los Angeles

    Beach Walk + Cambodia Town

    A trip to Long Beach is not complete without a … long walk on the beach. But add a little extra with a walk through Cambodia Town, featuring local murals and delicious food.

    View

  2. Ballona Beach Hopper

    This easygoing bike escape is proof that you don't have to drive for hours to feel the vast benefits of nature. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is part of the “Park to Playa Regional Trail,” a 13-mile network connecting parks and open spaces from Baldwin Hills to the Pacific Ocean.

    View

  3. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

    View

  4. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View