Mill Valley Outdoor Activities
Out in Nature
From downtown Mill Valley, stairs and trails take you up onto Mt. Tamalpais for an endless variety adventures in nature and breathtaking scenery. It would take you years to see all of Mt. Tamalpais—providing a lifetime of enjoyment.
There are many beautiful places to walk and hike in Mill Valley. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Cascade Canyon Loop: Walk a beautiful level loop starting downtown on Throckmorton Ave to Cascade Park and Cascade Falls, returning via Lovell Ave.
Walk on Cascade Drive
- Walk all or part or all of the famous Dipsea Trail from Old Mill Park at the intersection of Throckmorton Ave and Cascade Drive. This is a strenuous hike starting with three flights of stairs, eventually scaling almost 1,400 feet of Mount Tamalpais, ending in Stinson Beach. The 108th annual Dipsea race will take place on Sunday, June 10, 2018.
- A short trip up the mountain to Panoramic Highway leads to Mt. Tamalpais State Park, with forests, meadows, and ocean views. The same route takes you to Muir Woods National Monument and Stinson Beach.
- Tennessee Valley Trail is a fairly level walk from a parking area not far from Shoreline Highway ( CA Route 1) in Tamalpais Valley. This is always a beautiful walk though a lush and dramatic valley to an Tennessee Valley Beach on the ocean.
Tennessee Valley Trail and Beach
- County View Trail high on the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean can take you all the way to Muir Beach. Starting from Shoreline Highway (Route 1) , drive to the end of County View Road and walk the fire road to the west. You will merge with the Miwok Trail and then the Coyote Ridge Trail, all in the Golden Gate Recreation Area.
- Fern Canyon Road/Old Railroad Grade. Drive to the end of Summit Ave and hike this ridge high above Mill Valley.
- Muir Woods National Monument is very popular, and rightly so. It is always serene and beautiful. You have to plan your visit and make reservations. We have been fortunate to find it less crowded late on a summer afternoon.
- Steps, Paths, and Lanes. Mill Valley is laced with lanes and steps built in the early 20th century. These can provide a personal exploration of residential Mill Valley. You can buy A Guide to Mill Valley SLPs, 3rd Edition, 2013, for $5 at City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Ave. You can also find it at the Book Depot in Lytton Square.
Golf, Tennis & Swimming
- The Mill Valley Municipal Golf Course is located in bucolic Warner Canyon (Country Club neighborhood). This par 33, 9-hole course also provides a par 3 course within the existing course. The course has the associated Mill Valley Golf Club.
- Boyle Park on East Blithedale Ave is a center for tennis activities in Mill Valley. This city park has five new courts and a pro shop.
- The Mill Valley Tennis Club, close to the municipal golf course, also provides a pool, cafe and bar.
- The Club at Harbor Point includes tennis courts, a 25 yard outdoor, saltwater pool outdoor pool, exercise facilities, and a restaurant.
- Mill Valley Recreation Center has a 25 yard indoor pool with three lanes. The center provides a variety of aquatic and fitness classes.
- Homestead Valley Pool is open Tuesday through Sunday, April 15 through August 20. The pool is available to Homestead Valley residents and the general public, either by seasonal membership or gate fee per swim.
- Scott Valley Swimming and Tennis Club has a 6-lane outdoor pool and eight tennis courts, four lit for night playing.
- Strawberry Recreation District has an outdoor, 5-lane pool and four tennis courts.
Horseback Riding
The Miwok Stables on Tennessee Valley Road in the Golden Gate Recreational Area provides trail rides, lessons, summer camps, and boarding.
