101 Ways to Recreate in the Marin Headlands - Part IV

The year 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service (NPS), and though we're still a couple years away from the centennial our friends at the NPS are already excited! As a lead-up to the organization's big birthday, our friends from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) have put together a list of 101 Ways to Recreate in the Golden Gate. And we liked their list so much, we decided to put together our own! Over the last few months, we've been sharing our 101 Favorite Ways to Recreate in the Marin Headlands, the "crown jewel" of the GGNRA and site of our historic Marin Headlands hostel.

This week, we're wrapping things up with the last of our favorite activities you can do at hostel, around the park, and in the towns and natural areas bordering the Headlands (for more inspiration, check out part 1, part 2, and part 3 of our list). Don't forget to let us know how many of these activities you've done, or add your own to the list, by finding us on Facebook or Twitter @HIUSANorCal.

76. Identify native plants around the park. The Marin Headlands' Visitor's Center has examples of native plants so you can train your eyes (and your nose), plus field guides and books to aid you in your search.

77. Join a guided walk through the Parks Conservancy. From underground tours of Battery Townsley, to geological highlights of the park, there's always an opportunity to learn from park rangers and volunteers.

78. Get a workout on the water with stand-up paddle boarding or stand-up paddle yoga a few miles from the hostel in Sausalito.

79. Take advantage of Dungeness crab season in the Bay Area each winter by picking up some seafood at Mollie Stone's in Sausalito and boiling it up at the hostel.

80. In the mood for something besides seafood? Eat your heart out at any of our favorite budget-friendly restaurants in Sausalito: try Arawan Thai, Sartaj Indian Café, and Davey Jones Deli.

81. Every second Wednesday from May to October, join an evening art walk through the galleries of downtown Sausalito, just a few miles from the hostel.

82. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the San Francisco Bay by visiting a working model of the entire Bay, as well as the Sacramento River Delta, at the Bay Model Visitors' Center in Sausalito. This working hydraulic model is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is free to visit Tuesday through Friday.

83. Cruise the Bay by hopping a ferry in downtown Sausalito. You can ride it all the way to the local food-and-drink haven inside San Francisco's Ferry Building.

84. Explore the Oakwood Valley, a flora-rich piece of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area adjacent to the Marin Headlands. On a clear day, you can see as far as Point Reyes!

85. Make the steep trek up the Slacker Trail, between Fort Barry and Fort Baker. Your hamstrings will be burning, but you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Golden Gate without the photo-snapping crowds.

86. Plan your visit around the Fourth of July and get an unparalleled view of the fireworks over San Francisco.

87. Join a hike, walk, or other educational event led by the Institute at the Golden Gate, an organization promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship through parks and public lands.

88. Stop by the Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center, which offers a rotating schedule of workshops, talks, and more near Muir Beach just outside the Headlands.

89. Visit Slide Ranch, on the coast between the Headlands and Mount Tamalpais State Park. Slide Ranch's main purpose is providing educational programs for school and community groups. But its 134 acres of coast and farmland, perfect for hiking and tide-pooling, are open to the public from dawn until dusk.

90. Head to the Point Bonita YMCA on the first Saturday of each month for free, family-friendly programming.

91. Take a self-guided history walk with a little help from the Parks Conservancy. The organization has free maps and guides available online to help you discover the military history of Fort Baker.

92. Nearby, you can also explore the natural and military history of Horseshoe Cove with a free guide available online.

93. Take advantage of the Bay Area's extended summer, which lingers into October, with a beginner's class on birding.

94. Get off the beaten path with a hike through the Gerbode Valley. Keep an eye out for bobcats, deer, rabbits, and other wildlife (but remember to keep a respectful distance).

95. Get a unique perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer. The battery was constructed in 1897; today it's the best place in the park to snap a picture capturing the contrast between the vibrantly hued bridge and the fading grays of the Headlands' former military fortifications.

96. Spy sights as distant as the Farallon Islands and Mount Tamalpais from the Old Springs Trail.

97. Work on your tan at Rodeo Beach, Black Sands Beach, or Horseshoe Cove, a few of the warmest corners of the Headlands.

98. Pop a leash on your favorite canine companion and hit one of the Headlands' dog-friendly trails.

99. Plan a romantic getaway. The many couples who've used the hostel as their wedding venue aren't the only ones who've fallen in love with this place: in 2002, the San Francisco Bay Guardian named the hostel "Most Romantic Nearby Weekend Getaway."

100. Post your photos and video from your time in the Headlands to the hostel's Facebook page! The Headlands hostel offers free WiFi, though you may be too distracted by the area's natural beauty to use it.

101. Choose your own adventure! Like all national parks, the Headlands is yours to enjoy, so get creative and have fun! Then, share your ideas with us on Facebook or Twitter @HIUSANorCal!