May 6

May 6 Best Flat Hikes in Marin: Loch Lomond Marina Park

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We’ve said it before, just when you think you know all of the best flat hikes in Marin County, you discover a new one. Full disclosure, this one has been one of our favorite flat and scenic walks for a number of years but TBH we’ve been holding out on you! We are now sharing a local hidden gem with you: Loch Lomond Marina Park on the shores of the San Rafael Bay.

About Loch Lomond in San Rafael

The locals-favorite, open-to-all walking path at Loch Lomond Marina is a a flat, paved, two-mile out and back path that winds around the boat marina and along the San Rafael Bay. The scenery is just really beautiful, especially during the late afternoon. You’ll see full views of Mt. Tam, commanding views of the San Rafael Bay leading out the the San Pablo and San Francisco Bay, and the East Marin and West Marin islands in the bay,

The birdlife is abundant, due to the fact that the Marin Islands comprise a 340-acre national wildlife refuge. West Marin Island supports the largest heron and egret rookery in the San Francisco Bay area, so naturally some of those birds make their way over to Loch Lomond.

The path is peaceful and well-used by walkers, birders, dogs, and people who like to fishers. Loch Lomond Live Bait House provides the high quality live bait and the old-school charm. For sure include a wander out to the bait house as a little add-on to your walk.

And if Kayaking and SUP are on your agenda, you’l appreciate the free launch area. Check out 101 Surf Sports for rental equipment. Or kick it up a notch with an e-Foil lesson on the bay.

Andy’s Local Market at Loch Lomond

As if this walk needed a cherry on top — here it is: Andy’s Local Market, the utopian ideal of a local market. There’s a bar and inside the market — Andy’s Anchor Bar — with an outdoor bayside patio. Andy’s Anchor bar serves food perfect for the low-key outdoor setting (menu below, obviously you’re ordering the loaded nachos). Or you can order from their popular deli, or buy anything from the well-stocked store and take it outside (including wine — for a small corkage fee they provide wine glasses).

Bonus: music in the summer, check Andy’s website for the schedule.

Getting There & Parking at Loch Lomond

Set your GPS for Loch Lomond Marina to 110 Loch Lomond Drive. There is plenty of free parking, be sure to check the signage to ensure you are not parking in marina, resident, or Andy’s reserved spot.

Pro-Tip: find a parking space close to Andy’s, walk the out and back on the path, meander to the area around the Bait House and enjoy dinner on the patio (Andy’s Anchor Bar hours are 6:30am to 8pm).

Another Pro-Tip: add on a visit to McNear’s Beach Park while you’re in the area. McNears is another hidden gem and one of our favorite scenic and short walks around the palm-lined bayside path and the fishing pier (no dogs, free parking). China Camp is also nearby with a beach and an historic village exhibit (no dogs, paid parking)

Okay, phew! Now we’ve shared one of our truly local gems and we hope to see you out there!

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Marin Hotels is a boutique hotel collection with three properties in Marin County California. When you stay at one of our hotels, you'll experience a true sense of place since each is immersed in Marin's natural abundance.

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