7 Gorgeous Post-Storm Hikes in Marin County

Breath taking vista from the Coastal Trail above Muir Beach. (Photography by Sarah Hawthorne)

According to our iPhones, San Francisco is supposed to get a brief reprieve from the rain this week, and temperatures may even get into the high 60s. Treat yourself to a little sunshine after the storm on one of these gorgeous Marin hikes. Champagne optional, but recommended. 

The Coastal Trail

The Coastal Trail from Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach (or vice versa) boasts some of the most spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Marin Headlands. The trail winds around the top of dramatic cliffs (filling you with the urge to quote Titanic) and dips down so you can hear the roaring ocean below. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic hawks circling above your head.

Muir Woods 

The famous Muir Woods National Monument is one of the last remaining old-growth redwood forests in the Bay Area. Enjoy the giant coastal redwoods trees in all their glory with a beautiful walk along one of the many trails that winds around the valley. Avoid the crowds by parking on Panoramic Highway opposite the Mountain Home Inn and hike your way down into the valley floor via the Ocean View or Lost Trail from the Panoramic Trail. Or park on the ocean side of Panoramic Highway, precisely where it meets the famous Dipsea Trail, and hike the Dipsea down to the official park entrance.

Seven Sisters

Sitting pretty atop Mt. Tam State Park is one of the most beautiful stretches of road you will ever see. When the fog burns off, you can see all the way to Bolinas and Stinson Beach. Take a scenic drive, a vigorous bike ride, or a peaceful hike in the spot where pretty much every car commercial ever was filmed. 

Stinson Beach

Prefer your views with a little less effort? Park your car at Stinson Beach and walk along the shoreline with your toes in the sand. Arrive first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and embrace the gentle sunshine of the early hours. The rolling hills of Marin make for a scenic backdrop as you watch seals and even dolphins play in the water around you. Relax at the Parkside Café afterwards for a refreshing drink and bite to eat. 

East Peak 

Pack your lunch and refreshments, sit for a while, and soak up the impressive 360-degree views East Peak has to offer. Feel free to take plenty of photos — its worth showing off to your Instagram followers.

Hawk Hill

Want to see the San Francisco skyline at its best? Take a short drive from the city up Hawk Hill and enjoy stunning views of the Marin headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the City. By day, Hawk Hill is a great place to watch ships sail under the GGB. By night, there is an amazing display of city lights and the illuminated bridge, perfect for ending a romantic date with someone special (don't forget the bubbles!).

Muir Overlook 

Muir Overlook is a lovely little spot perched above Muir Beach just off Hwy 1. The bluff showcases stunning coastal views for miles in both directions. Pack a picnic to make this little outing extra special. On your way back to San Francisco, stop by the Pelican Inn for a taste of the English Countryside in this quaint little pub.

Article and images sourced from http://www.7x7.com/marin/7-gorgeous-post-storm-hikes-marin-county

5 San Francisco Hikes to Do Before El Niño Hits

Hit the trail before the rain does. (Photo: Julien Bacal) 

In San Francisco, the phrase “winter is coming” isn’t all that applicable. The temperatures drop about 5 degrees, Karl the Fog rolls in more often, and we get the occasional drizzle. This year however, as you probably know, El Niño is supposed to strike any second now. Make sure you get your fill of these five San Francisco hikes before the rain begins.
1. Hike Mt. Sutro Open Space Preserve
How many cities have a forested mountain with miles of trails right in the middle of town? Even on a sunny day, it can be slightly muddy so you definitely want to explore these trails before they get drenched. Learn more.
Insider Tip: The staircase on the west entrance has some amazing views of the Sunset district and the Pacific Ocean. If you head out that way, walk down to 9th and Irving where you’ll have a ton of options for food and drink.
2. Hike the Lands End Trail
Located right on the top of coastal cliffs with absolutely unbelievable views of the Pacific Ocean, this is one of San Francisco’s best hikes. Coastal views aren’t quite the same when you can’t see the epic sunset, Best of San Franciscoso head out here before the rainy days come. Learn more. 
Insider Tip: Head to one of the many underrated restaurants nearby in the Richmond district afterwards. Hot Sauce and Panko are favorites of ours.
3. Sunset Hike to Mile Rock Beach
A beach day isn’t really a beach day in the rain, is it? Located 100 or so steps down from the main trail, you’ll find this mysterious little beach that will make you feel like you’re in an old pirate movie. Learn more.
Insider Tip: If you've worked up an appetite, stop by the Cliff House for a quick bite
4. Explore The Presidio’s Hidden Treasures
While the coastal trails get most of the attention here, the park covers 300 acres of prime real estate with lots of great trails. These trails do get super muddy after a good rain and there are some hills—not a super fun combination for hiking, so get out there while the trails are still dry. Learn more.
Insider Tip: When you're done exploring, treat yourself to some comfort food and drinks at Liverpool Lil's.
5. Hike Mount Davidson
The view from San Francisco’s highest point is infinitely better on a clear day. You can see all across the city and over the water to the East Bay. On a rainy day, you may not even be able to see Mount Davidson’s neighbor, Twin Peaks. Learn more. 
Insider Tip: The hike is short—you can made the round-trip in well under an hour if you get moving. If you have some time, grab a sandwich from Monterey Deli a few blocks away and take in the view.

Article and image sourced from http://www.7x7.com/play/5-san-francisco-hikes-do-el-ni-o-hits

Catch a Show at One of These Quirky Indie Music Joints

The SoMa building that houses the restaurant Citizen's Band, at 1192 Folsom, is also home to the upstairs club F8, where drum-and-base fans catch one of the city's best weekly shows. (Courtesy of F8)

The Bay Area is home to some seriously iconic music venues: the Greek, the Fillmore, Golden Gate Park. But sometimes the best shows go down in the most unexpected places. Here are seven unique music joints with stories all their own.

F8
While 1192 Folsom may be best known for the culinary accomplishments of resident restaurant Citizen’s Band, as well as the club’s arty gatherings and monthly Quick Draw event, F8 also plays host to top-notch music. Legit DJs regularly spin on the club’s custom sound system upstairs. Go for Housepitality on Wednesdays and Stamina Sundays, one the city's best drum and bass shows.  //  1192 Folsom St (SoMa), feightsf.com


(Courtesy of The Lost Church)
The Lost Church
Tucked inside an angular building designed by famed SF artist David Ireland, The Lost Church has a storied artistic past. Once home to the Capp Street Project—an experimental installation space and artist residence through the 1980s and '90s—The Lost Church, now owned by Brett and Elizabeth Cline, is a one-of-a-kind multimedia venue and production facility for art, sound, and video recording.  //  65 Capp St. (Mission), thelostchurch.com

924 Gilman Street
An East Bay institution, the 924 Gilman Street project was founded in 1986 as a safe space for bands to play and interact with the community without the limitations of conventional shows. Historically a punk venue, it spawned bands like Green Day, Operation Ivy, Rancid and The Offspring during the '90s punk revival. Nowadays, the Alternative Music Foundation is a volunteer-run, nonprofit that maintains Gilman’s DIY ethics and—an increasing rarity among music clubs—still welcomes all ages so long as all participants are drug- and alcohol-free.  //  924 Gilman St (Berkeley), 924gilman.org


(Courtesy of Palace Theater Oakland)
Palace Theater
Constructed as a vaudevillian theater in 1923, the Palace was converted into a movie house in the 1930s and later became the home of a Baptist church in the 1950s. Now, thanks to proprietor Lucid Dream Lounge, an experimental group interested in interactive theater, the Palace has returned to its roots as an entertainment hall. Inside, the original balcony provides a bird’s eye view of the action, whether it’s music, theater, film or a community fashion show. LDL is gradually restoring the place to its original grandeur.  //  1445 23rd Ave. (Oakland), palacetheateroakland.com


(Courtesy of Era)
Era Art Bar & Lounge
This gorgeous lounge in Oakland has a distinctly elegant feel. Downstairs you’ll find a 35-foot vaulted and hand-plastered ceiling and an equally long steel-and-concrete bar. Upstairs, vintage leather seating, a mix of modern and antique furniture, and a handblown glass chandelier set the scene for contemporary art exhibits and boutique cocktails. Era offers a wide variety of live music, from hip hop to Latin to Caribbean and beyond.  //  19 Grand Ave. (Oakland), oaklandera.com


(Courtesy of HopMonk)
The Abbey
While beer aficionados will be famiiar with Hopmonk Tavern's tasty home brews, the spot's music venue, The Abbey, is bringing an eclectic mix of tunes to Sonoma County—from reggae and world beats to some of the biggest names in the West Coast electronic music scene. Sit outside in the luminsescent beer garden or head inside for acts as disparate as Leon Russel and The Floozies.  // 230 Petaluma Ave. (Sebastopol), hopmonk.com

Article and images sourced from http://www.7x7.com/culture/catch-show-one-these-quirky-indie-music-joints