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Bike Paths - Major Marin bike paths are mentioned here to aid those without bike maps navigate through east Marin. Marin Bike paths & Marin mountain bike trail maps are available at book stores & most Marin Bike shops. Bike routes can be safer, look for the symbol on the pavement or sign posts, follow the locals or ask any of the Marin bike shops where the routes are located.

Local Marin Bike shops can be located by this link

Please observe trail courtesy & don't litter. Avoid gouging trails by excessive braking. Making new trails which cause additional erosion is illegal. Caution: Keep your eyes on small children; Native deer and thus mountain lions are present.

Bolinas Ridge Trail starts in Samuel P. Taylor from the paved bike trail (about midway from park campgrounds to old bridge on Sir Francis Drake Blvd.) ascends to the ridge that parallels PCH to Fairfax-Bolinas road, bike path to Fairfax Bolinas road about 11.3 miles. This trail extends across Panoramic Highway (safe for bicyclists) to Mt Tam's east peak. You can also access this trail from the road (Sir Francis Drake Blvd.) a mile east of Olema, approximately the peak before descending to Samuel P. Taylor Park. A remote starting point; Fairfax Bolinas road where it intersects the Panoramic highway. Trail has scenic views of Bolinas Lagoon & Stinson Beach and Mt.Tamalpias. No water nor bathroom facilities until Samuel P. Taylor Park campgrounds; bring a lunch, water, toilet paper & trowel.

China Camp bike trails starts from N. San Pedro Road half mile north of McNears Beach. The trail offers views of San Pablo Bay and some of Marin's untouched open space. The trail ends back onto N. San Pedro Road near Buck's Landing, just east of Santa Venetia, for a detail map.

Lake Lagunitas bike trail. This trail is within Marin County Water District which means this area is watershed for Marin with standards demanding proper use. The park requires an entrance fee, $5. Bicycling within the park is safe & relaxed, car traffic is at a minimum. To reach the trail head, from Fairfax; go west on Fairfax Bolinas road, (see pictures) turn left on Sky Oaks road, left turn at the fork. Observe signs and all rules expected within any National Park.

Marin Headlands bike trails: Many trails with a full range of difficulty from easy to hard core extremist. Follow the link & read. Cool climates year round. Rodeo Beach is secluded & romantic. Most trails branch off to more trails so you can match your present spirit to the trail difficulty. A glance over your shoulder & rolling hills you can almost touch San Francisco's Transamerica building.

Nicasio Reservoir Loop (20.9 miles long) is a combination of dedicated bike paths & roadway that circles Nicasio Reservoir through Samuel P. Taylor Park, passes through Lagunitas & Forest Knoll then northward back to Nicasio. Great exercise & scenery with two convenience stores & phones along the route. If you start from Nicasio, Go west on Nicasio Valley Road turn left on Point Reyes Petaluma Road. Continue south until the fork at Platform Ridge Road, take the left fork toward Samuel P. Taylor & Olema. Continue on this road until it reaches Sir Francis Drake Blvd. To start the bike path, cross the old bridge on the right near this intersection, turn left & go underneath the new bridge, continue on bike path past the campgrounds and over the foot bridge. Loop back to the road just after the foot bridge and continue on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. passing the towns of Lagunitas & Forest Knolls to San Geronimo Golf Course. Left turn on Nicasio Valley Road going north back to Nicasio. You can start the loop at any point; park in posted areas on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in the park, just beyond the old bridge or at the end of the foot bridge. Plan lunch or dinner at Rancho Nicasio after your ride. Two Bird Cafe in San Geronimo, just south of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. & the golf course, has that friendly small town feel.

Novato to Stafford Lake bike path is well maintained and completely separate from the road for maximum safety. Start on South Novato Blvd & San Marin Drive, just beyond Miwok Park. 

San Rafael to San Anselmo to Fairfax designated bike path When ever possible, follow the Bike Path Signs. Travel through San Rafael on Fourth Street, the traffic lights & lanes maximize bike safety. Start the bike path just southwest of International House of Pancakes on Fourth St. Look for "Westend" street and go west to Greenfield. Continue on Greenfield to Lincoln Park. Turn left on Lincoln Park and then right on Bank. Turn left on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to Tunstead. Turn right on Tunstead then right on San Anselmo Ave. Continue on San Anselmo Ave. to the city of Fairfax. This route passes Sunshine Bicycle Shop where you can rent bikes, fix, buy bikes & accessories. The section of road (Red Hill Ave) from the end of Fourth Street in San Rafael to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. is called "Miracle Mile". When you reach Fairfax, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. is just a block north that leads to Samuel P. Taylor Park. Fairfax Bolinas Road starts on the left in Fairfax off Center Blvd. quarter mile beyond Sunshine Bicycle Shop. Albertsons' supermarket is just across the street from the bike shop for last minute snacks.

Terra Linda to Sleepy Hollow bike path is great short cut from Terra Linda to San Anselmo & Fairfax. From Terra Linda, paved bike trail begins at the end of  Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and ends in San Anselmo (Sleepy Hollow) after 200 yards. The streets cross from there to Fawn Drive to Fawn Court to Butterfield Road to Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Routes 1 through 9 listed below will guide bicyclists from Novato to San Francisco along Marin's east side through major cities. These routes basically follow highway 101 from North to South.

1. Novato to San Ignacio to Marinwood has two main bike paths, nearly all paved. From the Novato Vintage Oaks (shopping center) going south, you encounter a marsh area that has dirt trails for 500 yards that turn into paved bike trails. This trail is away from homes & businesses and not recommended for night use. The trail joins back to streets onto Bell Marin Keys Blvd. and can be taken south along Nave Drive past Hamilton to Alameda Del Prado. At this intersection, there is a dedicated bike trail that parallels the freeway that takes you to Marinwood. The other main bike route has more traffic but less wildlife & scenery: South Novato Blvd. to Sunset Parkway to Ignacio Blvd. to Alameda Del Prado.

2. Marinwood to Terra Linda: Take Miller Creek Road to Las Gallinas Avenue to Los Ranchitos to Lincoln Avenue. A variation: turn left (east) at Lucas Valley Road, turn right Los Gamos road. Go past YMCA & last office building through parking lot to where Los Gamos starts again. Follow Los Gamos Road to Manuel T. Frietas Parkway. Turn left (east) and walk your bike on the sidewalk to first traffic light (Northgate Drive). Continue on Northgate Drive to Las Gallinas, turn left and follow to Los Ranchitos Road to Lincoln Avenue. 

3. Terra Linda to San Rafael: Take Las Gallinas Avenue which passes next to Northgate Mall, becoming Los Ranchitos Road. Continue on Los Ranchitos Road to Lincoln Avenue.

4. San Rafael to Larkspur: Follow Lincoln Avenue to Irwin Street. Right turn on Irwin St. to Andersen Drive. Left on Andersen Drive, continue on Andersen to East Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Turn right and continue to Larkspur. Alternate-faster-uphill route: Take Irwin St. past Bret Harte Park to Tiburon Blvd. to Via La Cumbre. Continue on Via La Cumbre turn left on Eliseo Drive, left turn on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Go east to Highway 101 onramp bike path. The bike path is separated by a fence from the onramp.

5. Larkspur to Corte Madera: Take Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to the west side of the 101 highway. Follow bike path (separated by chain link fence) next to the highway 101 onramp to Fifer Avenue to Lucky Drive left turn to Tamal Vista Blvd. Turn left on Casa Buena Drive, continue south to Mill Valley.

6. Corte Madera to Mill Valley: Take Casa Buena Drive which becomes a paved bike path. Continue on bike path over the hill to Lomita Drive. Continue west on Lomita Drive until just past the school and then turn south which is still Lomita Drive. When Lomita Drive reaches E. Blithedale Ave., cross over to the other side & just west where the bike path starts.

7. Mill Valley to Sausalito bike path is separate from regular road traffic for most of the route. Bike path starts on E. Bilthedale Road near the intersection with Lomita Drive. Travel south under the 101 highway past businesses in Sausalito until Bridgeway where you should cross the street & travel in the bike lane with automobile traffic. The path is very safe & scenic and paved. During summer weekends, this path has many people enjoying exercise, fresh air & beautiful views of the bay.

8. Sausalito to Golden Gate Bridge bike path leaves Sausalito from the south part of town along the water through residential areas. Some uphill & right angle turns then a small section of open space, all well marked as bike path. Go under the highway via the tunnel to reach designated designated bike crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Crissy Fields bike path starts at the end of the bridge.

9. Crissy Fields (north San Francisco) Bike paths are well marked and heavily traveled by commuters & pleasure riders alike. Take the path from the end of the bridge to under the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow the map available from the link Crissy Fields

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