California North Coast (Bay Area) Travel Guide

The California North Coast (Bay Area) Travel Guide is a resource for Bay Area visitors who wish to sample the beautiful California coastline without extensive driving. The North Coast features exciting scenic drives, great hiking, beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean, redwood forests, quaint towns, bed and breakfasts, mountains, and historic attractions - all within a two hour drive of San Francisco.

(Right: Windswept Tree at Pt. Reyes)

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any place name on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the box for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed North Coast Map in separate window.  

North Coast Lodging

Most of the north coast towns offer limited small-scale lodging such as inns or bread and breakfasts. More conventional lodging such as major motels can be found in the cities and towns along or near US-101 (San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, and Petaluma). Use the links below for lodging listings.

San Rafael Lodging.

Petaluma Lodging.

Novato Lodging.

Mill Valley Lodging.

San Francisco Lodging.

Marin Headlands Hostel offers dormitory style accomodations in old Fort Barry near the park visitor center. Reservations required.

Muir Beach. Limited services. The Pelican Inn has seven country-style rooms and a pretty nice dining room.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Nearest conventional lodging in Mill Valley. The park manages very popular reservable cabins at Rocky Point. Nearby on the Panoramic Highway, the historic Mountain Home Inn offers ten country-style rooms, spectacular scenery, and a fine restaurant. The West Point Inn offers five very inexpensive rustic cabins.

Stinson Beach. Two small motels.

Bolinas. Tiny village has a handful of small lodgings and restaurants.

Point Reyes Hostel offers dormitory style accomodations in a historic ranch. Reservations required.

Olema. Closest village to Bear Valley Visitor Center, the town offers several inns, cottages, and a lodge. All are upscale in pretty locales. (Lodging list at bottom of linked page.)

Point Reyes Station. The main commercial area closest to Point Reyes National Seashore. Large slection of small-scale lodging. (Lodging list at bottom of linked page.)

Inverness/Inverness Park. Located on the Point Reyes Peninusla west of Tomales Bay with a nice selection of small-scale lodging. Several motels are right on the edge of the bay. (Lodging list at bottom of linked page.)

Marshall. Located on the east side of Tomales Bay with a small selection of inns and cottages. On Highway 1. (Lodging list at bottom of linked page.)

North Coast Camping

Most of the north coast towns offer limited camping. More extensive private campgrounds and RV parks can be found in the cities and towns along US-101. Use the links below for listings.

Marin Headlands offers four campgrounds that are walk-in and by reservation only. Two campgrounds require trail hiking to reach. The other two are a short walk from Conzelman Road. None has more than five sites, so reservations should be made well in advance.

Point Reyes National Seashore offers four campgrounds that are hike-in (or boat-in, Tomales Bay only) and require trail hiking or biking to reach. Each campground has a vault toilet and water faucet (be prepared to treat water), with a small number of individual and group sites. Permits are required and may be reserved up to three months in advance. For details, phone (415) 663-8054.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park offers very popular reservable campsites at Rocky Point. First-come first-served camping can be found at the Pantoll Campground near the ranger station. Sixteen sites are available. Two group campgrounds are available by reservation. For information, call (800) 444-7275.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a modern campground with 61 sites. Showers, flush toilets, and piped drinking water are provided. Two group campgrounds are available by reservation. For information, call (800) 444-7275. Located on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

Olema. The Olema RV Resort and Campground offers complete camper services in a very scenic setting. Includes modern facilities, 177 sites, 99 of which are for tents. Nearby stores. Largest campground close to the coast.

Petaluma. The enormous Petaluma KOA (San Francisco - North) has over 300 sites including tent sites, RV sites, and Kamper Kabins. Large facility with many amenities. Adjacent to US-101.

Novato. The Novato RV Park has 68 sites, and offers a wide array of amenities and services. Adjacent to US-101.

California North Coast (Bay Area) Travel Guide Index

• Introduction & Index to the California North Coast (Bay Area)
  
  
• Golden Gate NRA - Marin Headlands
• Golden Gate NRA - North on Highway 1
• Muir Woods National Monument
• North Coast State Parks
• Point Reyes National Seashore
• North Coast Towns and Roads
• North Coast Lodging and Camping
  
  
• California Central Coast Travel Guide
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area (National Park Service)
• Point Reyes National Seashore (National Park Service)