Family-Friendly Hikes in Marin County

By Riley Cooper

Marin County’s diverse trails aren’t just for seasoned trekkers—there are plenty of family-friendly hikes that kids and adults can enjoy together. From gentle woodland walks to short climbs with rewarding views, here are some top picks for an active family outing in Marin:

• Tennessee Valley Trail – A 3.4-mile round-trip hike through a verdant valley ending at Tennessee Beach.

The wide, relatively flat trail is stroller-friendly and great for young kids. Along the way, little ones can spot butterflies, wildflowers, and birds fluttering through the coastal shrubs. At the end, you’re greeted by a secluded beach where children can play (under supervision) and families can picnic with the rhythmic sound of ocean waves in the background. It’s the kind of place where imaginations run wild and sandy shoes tell stories on the ride home.

• Phoenix Lake Loop (Ross) – A mellow loop around a picturesque lake, roughly 2.3 miles.

The terrain is easy, and kids love spotting turtles sunning themselves on logs and ducks gliding across the water. Shaded by oak woodlands, it’s a comfortable hike even on warmer days. Families often pause at benches along the lake to snack, skip stones, or simply soak in the peaceful views.

• Muir Woods Main Trail – Strolling among the towering redwoods of Muir Woods is magical for all ages.

The main boardwalk trail is flat and short (1–2 miles round-trip), making it accessible for toddlers and grandparents alike. Interpretive signs add interest, and the awe-inspiring 250-foot redwoods leave a lasting impression. Kids instinctively fall quiet in the hush of the grove, their necks craning upward in wonder. Even reluctant walkers tend to be captivated by the grandeur.

• China Camp Loop (China Camp State Park) – This gentle trail system near San Rafael offers short loop options (1–3 miles) through oak forests and meadows by the bay.

Kids can imagine life in the old Chinese shrimp-fishing village at China Camp, adding a bit of history to the hike. The visitor center, housed in an old wooden structure near the shore, adds a storytelling element that brings the past to life.

Before you head out, prepare some snacks and water, and don’t forget a camera—these trails abound with family photo opportunities.

Tim Kizirian, a Marin local and father, often brought his own kids on these hikes. “We’d start early, sometimes with a child still sleepy in the backpack carrier,” he remembers. “And by the end, everyone had sun on their cheeks, dirt on their hands, and stories to tell.” For Tim, the trails weren’t just paths through nature—they were paths into his children’s imaginations. They’d name squirrels, create stories about mossy tree stumps, and collect leaves like treasure.

Now that his kids are older, those days live on in memory. “It goes fast,” he says with a quiet smile. “I used to carry one on my shoulders while the other raced ahead. Now they’re taller than me and off doing their own hikes.” He often revisits the same trails alone, not with sadness, but with a kind of reverence. “Each step feels like a page from a scrapbook.”

These trails gave Tim and his children space to laugh, explore, and learn outside the noise of screens and schedules. “You teach a lot on a trail without saying much,” he says. “Patience, safety, gratitude—those things are absorbed when you’re out there together.”

Following Tim’s lead, your family can create wonderful memories on Marin’s trails while instilling a love for nature in the next generation. Time moves on, but the bond forged in those early walks lingers. And if you’re lucky, years from now, you’ll find yourself on a familiar path, smiling at the echoes of tiny feet running ahead.