The best gravel rides in Bolinas Lagoon Open Space Preserve

nice views of Mt Tam

log cabin at phoenix lake

At this point on Sky Oaks Road, there is a junction with Shaver Grade Road, which connects with a dense network of trails and dirt roads near Bald Hill in the Mount Tamalpais State Park. From here, you can continue on the paved Sky Oaks Road or go arond the gate on to the gravel Shaver Grade Road.

Opening this bike tunnel through the renovated trail tunnel as part of the 2010 redeveloped rail connection from Larkspur Ferry to Santa Rosa closed a crucial gap in the bike commute to San Francisco.

Pantoll Road is a beautiful, mostly paved route through Mount Tamalpais State Park, connecting the Panoramic Highway to Ridgecrest Boulevard. It winds closely along the curves of the hillside, with some shade from the trees in some spots. There are fantastic views along the way of San Francisco and the Marin Headlands, with incredible viewpoints over the Pacific coastline.

Quieter albeit slightly higher and steeper climb out of Mill Valley to Panoramic Highway instead of climbing on Hwy 1, meandering along lesser traffic neighborhood streets with more shade and awesome bay views.

This bikeway offers a better alternative to the much busier Center Boulevard, which does not have a shoulder and an even better route than the Sir Francis Drake Blvd highway. Lansdale and San Anselmo Avenues are quiet residential streets that run parallel and provide a pleasant passage through town away from busy traffic.

This large group picnic area is a lovely spot under a shady grove of towering redwoods that sits along Lagunitas Creek. There is piped drinking water and restrooms nearby, and if it is not in use, it is an excellent place to stop for lunch. If you are bike touring with friends and wish to spend time here, you can reserve this spot through the Samuel Taylor State Parks' department website.