West Ridgecrest View Paths
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: West Ridgecrest Boulevard, between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road Stinson Beach, CA
Starting Point: West Ridgecrest Boulevard extends between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road on Mount Tamalpais. It is scenic along the entire stretch. The gallery (special expanded photo gallery of 20 photos) in this post includes shots near the Laurel Dell Trailhead and Standing Rock Circle. There are easily visible footpaths on the rolling hills on the ocean side of the road that offer great ocean views.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Mt. Tam State Park brochure link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/471/files/MountTamalpaisSPFinalWebLayout110816.pdf
Mt. Tam Watershed information (Marin Water):
https://www.marinwater.org/mt-tam-watershed
Mt. Tam project and road status info (CA State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471
Mt. Tam Watershed map (Marin Water):
https://www.marinwater.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Watershed%20Visitor%20Map.pdf
Distance:
This post introduces a stretch of road that offers beautiful views all along. There are multiple small roadside parking pull-offs that allow visitors to walk along narrow footpaths that hug the rolling hills overlooking the ocean. Visitors can take a short walk to the edge of the bluff for a view, with minimal walking, or can walk along the Coastal Trail that runs parallel to the road and walk as far as desired. The driving distance along West Ridgecrest Boulevard between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road is 3.8 miles. The Coastal Trail runs somewhat parallel for part of this stretch.
Considerations:
• The drive is part of the Mt. Tam experience. Our drive ran along Panoramic Highway and Pantoll Road to W. Ridgecrest Blvd., all of which are scenic but also somewhat narrow and curvy in places. Drive with caution in case of animals, hikers, etc., on the road.
• There is space for several cars at the Laurel Dell Trailhead parking area, and also a few spots further down past Standing Rock Circle which are locations featured in this photo gallery.
• As is always the case, trailheads are easier to park at on weekdays and earlier in the day rather than on a weekend afternoon.
• There are no toilets right along the road. Bathroom options include making an earlier stop at Bootjack or Pantoll Campground.
• Dressing in layers, using sun protection, and having water are advised for any hike.
• Be aware of poison oak along any trail. Scrubs like Technu are good to have in case of contact.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife notices.
• Trails can be muddy and slippery after rain.
The trail:
This post is less of a “Let’s hike this specific trail” message and more of a suggestion to take a drive, see a spot you like, get out of the car and check out the view.
Our stops for this photo gallery were the Laurel Dell Trailhead parking and a small pull-off area less than a half mile further up West Ridgecrest. Both of these make for good stops for taking a scenic walk along the narrow paths on the rolling hills on the ocean side of the road.
With the right visibility conditions, the Farallon Islands float into view like a mystical kingdom hovering in the ether. Any time we see the Farallon Islands we feel like we’ve been blessed with special luck for that day.
At the Laurel Dell trailhead, we crossed the road and climbed the hill to soak up the view above Bolinas. Anywhere along this stretch would be a glorious place to see the sunset.
The Coastal Trail runs somewhat parallel to much of West Ridgecrest Boulevard. From the roadside parking less than half a mile beyond the Laurel Dell trailhead, we took the trail parallel to the road back in the direction we’d driven from. We climbed up a moderate grade hill and over the ridge until rock formations came into view. This is also a stunning place to take in the view over Stinson Beach. Bolinas Bay and Bolinas Lagoon.
Just driving along West Ridgecrest may satisfy a thirst for scenery for some, but it’s well worth a short wander across the road to look out from the hillside trails to Stinson Beach, Bolinas and the Pacific. This area is so scenic that I indulged myself in double the usual number of photos in the photo gallery (scroll to bottom).
Enjoy a beautiful drive and as short or long a walk as you like!
(West Ridgecrest View Paths Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Scenic Drive” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: West Ridgecrest Boulevard, between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road Stinson Beach, CA
Starting Point: West Ridgecrest Boulevard extends between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road on Mount Tamalpais. It is scenic along the entire stretch. The gallery (special expanded photo gallery of 20 photos) in this post includes shots near the Laurel Dell Trailhead and Standing Rock Circle. There are easily visible footpaths on the rolling hills on the ocean side of the road that offer great ocean views.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Mt. Tam State Park brochure link (California State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/471/files/MountTamalpaisSPFinalWebLayout110816.pdf
Mt. Tam Watershed information (Marin Water):
https://www.marinwater.org/mt-tam-watershed
Mt. Tam project and road status info (CA State Parks):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471
Mt. Tam Watershed map (Marin Water):
https://www.marinwater.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Watershed%20Visitor%20Map.pdf
Distance:
This post introduces a stretch of road that offers beautiful views all along. There are multiple small roadside parking pull-offs that allow visitors to walk along narrow footpaths that hug the rolling hills overlooking the ocean. Visitors can take a short walk to the edge of the bluff for a view, with minimal walking, or can walk along the Coastal Trail that runs parallel to the road and walk as far as desired. The driving distance along West Ridgecrest Boulevard between Pantoll Road and Fairfax-Bolinas Road is 3.8 miles. The Coastal Trail runs somewhat parallel for part of this stretch.
Considerations:
• The drive is part of the Mt. Tam experience. Our drive ran along Panoramic Highway and Pantoll Road to W. Ridgecrest Blvd., all of which are scenic but also somewhat narrow and curvy in places. Drive with caution in case of animals, hikers, etc., on the road.
• There is space for several cars at the Laurel Dell Trailhead parking area, and also a few spots further down past Standing Rock Circle which are locations featured in this photo gallery.
• As is always the case, trailheads are easier to park at on weekdays and earlier in the day rather than on a weekend afternoon.
• There are no toilets right along the road. Bathroom options include making an earlier stop at Bootjack or Pantoll Campground.
• Dressing in layers, using sun protection, and having water are advised for any hike.
• Be aware of poison oak along any trail. Scrubs like Technu are good to have in case of contact.
• Pay attention to health, safety and wildlife notices.
• Trails can be muddy and slippery after rain.
The trail:
This post is less of a “Let’s hike this specific trail” message and more of a suggestion to take a drive, see a spot you like, get out of the car and check out the view.
Our stops for this photo gallery were the Laurel Dell Trailhead parking and a small pull-off area less than a half mile further up West Ridgecrest. Both of these make for good stops for taking a scenic walk along the narrow paths on the rolling hills on the ocean side of the road.
With the right visibility conditions, the Farallon Islands float into view like a mystical kingdom hovering in the ether. Any time we see the Farallon Islands we feel like we’ve been blessed with special luck for that day.
At the Laurel Dell trailhead, we crossed the road and climbed the hill to soak up the view above Bolinas. Anywhere along this stretch would be a glorious place to see the sunset.
The Coastal Trail runs somewhat parallel to much of West Ridgecrest Boulevard. From the roadside parking less than half a mile beyond the Laurel Dell trailhead, we took the trail parallel to the road back in the direction we’d driven from. We climbed up a moderate grade hill and over the ridge until rock formations came into view. This is also a stunning place to take in the view over Stinson Beach. Bolinas Bay and Bolinas Lagoon.
Just driving along West Ridgecrest may satisfy a thirst for scenery for some, but it’s well worth a short wander across the road to look out from the hillside trails to Stinson Beach, Bolinas and the Pacific. This area is so scenic that I indulged myself in double the usual number of photos in the photo gallery (scroll to bottom).
Enjoy a beautiful drive and as short or long a walk as you like!
(West Ridgecrest View Paths Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Scenic Drive” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
