Casting a gorgeously dominant shadow over Mill Valley and much of Marin County, the park surrounding the 2,571-foot peak of Mount Tamalpais is a treasure trove for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Originally named La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco by two explorers in 1770, the name was changed to the Miwok word Tamalpais in honor of the Coastal Miwok Indians who lived in the area for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.
The park is loaded with more than 50 miles of hiking and bicycling trails that connect to a wider, 200-mile trail system in the regions. Road cyclists flock to the windy roads that twist up and around the mountain's summit.
A few highlights:
Bootjack Picnic Area has tables, stoves, piped drinking water and flush toilets.
East Peak Summit features a visitor center and a refreshment stand that are open daily during the summer and on weekends most of the year. Phone, picnic tables and restrooms are also available.
The Mountain Theater, also known as The Cushing Memorial Theater, is a natural-stone amphitheater that seats 3,750 people and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The theater hosts the renowned Mountain Play each spring, produced every year since 1913.
Pan Toll Campground, located near the ranger station on Panoramic Highway, has 16 campsites, each equipped with a table, rock barbecue, food locker and space for a tent. There are no showers. Campsites are $25 per night, though discounts are available.
Steep Ravine Campground, located on land overlooking the Pacific Ocean just south of Stinson Beach, has nine rustic cabins and seven primitive campsites. The cabins do not have running water or electricity, although primitive toilets, water faucets and firewood are nearby. The campsites are a few hundred yards from the parking area. Pets are not allowed at the cabins or the campground. Steep Ravine is incredibly popular and reservations are accepted from 10 days to 7 months in advance. Steep Ravine cabins are $100 per night and campsites are $25 per night.
Alice Eastwood Group Camp has two campsites that hold up to 50 ($225 per night) and 25 ($110 per night), respectively. Both campsites have tables, flush toilets, water faucets with sinks, barbecue grills and a large area for tents. Frank Valley Group Horse Camp, located 1.5 miles west of Muir Woods National Monument, has 12 pipe corrals, water faucets, watering troughs, picnic tables, fire rings and a pit toilet. The minimum size group is 2 horses; the maximum size is 12 horses. The cost is $75 per night for the first two horses.
For questions about camping, call the Pantoll Ranger Station at 415-388-2070. To reserve a campground, call 800-444-7275.
The Olympic Sculpture Park is a nine-acre outdoor sculpture museum and beach located in Belltown on Seattle's downtown waterfront. The park, operated by the Seattle Art Museum, has a number of large sculptures by artists such as Alexander Calder and Richard Serra, plus great views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Parking and public transportation at the Olympic Sculpture Park
At the southeast corner of the park, at Broad Street and Western Avenue, the PACCAR Pavilion garage offers paid parking, starting at $6. Paid street parking is also available but often hard to find. If you don't want to pay for parking or brave the sometimes congested traffic around the area, a number of King County Metro buses stop within about a quarter of a mile of the park.
Best and worst time go to the Olympic Sculpture Park
The park is most popular during the summer, especially on weekends, when the kids can play at the beach. For a quiet viewing of the sculptures, go on a weekday during the school year.
Admission to the Olympic Sculpture Park
The park is open 365 days a year from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Admission is free. The park also offers free public tours with times and topics that vary throughout the year. Food is available for purchase in the PACCAR Pavilion on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Must see/do at the Olympic Sculpture Park
Take your camera for pictures of not only the sculptures but also the great views.
Other places to visit near the Olympic Sculpture Park
The park is adjacent to the Seattle Waterfront, which offers a lot to do. You can visit the Seattle Aquarium, Myrtle Edwards Park, arcades, restaurants, fishing piers, boat launches, and more. Pike Place Market is just up the hill from the waterfront.
Insider tip for visitors to the Olympic Sculpture Park
If you want to watch the sun set over the water in Seattle, this park gives you a great view. The park also has a reputation among locals as being a great place to walk, run, or just relax and read a book.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a Seattle freelance writer. She writes about health, business, and travel, among other topics. She also writes case studies and web content for businesses.
The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum has a collection of the works of scientist and scholar Benjamin Banneker, who lived in Oella.
The museum features a permanent gallery on Benjamin Banneker and the Bannaky Family, a rotating exhibit in the Community Gallery, a reconstruction of Banneker's cabin, gift shop, and 142 acres with many hiking trails.
