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Mount Tamalpais is a Marin County peak known as the west hill, with oak knolls, chaparral, redwood canyons, and coastal views. Listen for whales from Steep Ravine, watch birds over grasslands, and follow old railroad grade memories toward the East Peak.
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The West Hill Above Marin
Stand where fog lifts off the ridge and the Coast Miwok name means west hill. Mount Tamalpais rises above Marin County, its slopes stitched with oak knolls, chaparral, and redwood canyons. Look for the silver rock and twisted laurels described by Tom Killion, then trace the horizon where the Pacific meets bayside marshes. The mountain feels close because it gathers weather, wildlife, and memory in the same place. Let the wind move through manzanita and grass, and notice how the view changes from bay to ocean. Face the ridge and listen for the name beneath the name.
Whales, Birds, and the Coast View Trail
At Steep Ravine, the cabins and campground sit close to the ocean, making them a natural place to watch whales. Bring binoculars and scan the water for gray whales moving past the coast, then look for humpbacks breaching in the distance. On the Coast View Trail and the western portion of the Matt Davis Trail, listen for the wind through grassland and spot red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and turkey vultures soaring overhead. The night can fill with owl calls, while woodpeckers tap holes in woodland trees. Walk slowly, keep your eyes on the shoreline, and let the birds read the air for you.
The Crookedest Railroad
Follow the old railroad grade toward the East Peak and imagine the Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway climbing through curves and trestles. The route was called the Crookedest Railroad in the World, and its road bed twisted across the mountain with many curves. At the summit, the Tavern of Tamalpais formerly offered hospitality and views of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Near the Gravity Car Barn Museum, look for the place where the engine called the Bull was filmed at the East Peak. Stand where the rails formerly ran and picture passengers arriving by steam.