• Go Climb a Mountain: Mt. Tamalpais Guide
• Running, Walking, Hiking
• Fitness & Dance
• Cycling
• Golfing
• Yoga

For enthusiasts of running, Pilates, biking, yoga, hiking, dance, or golf, San Anselmo has it all. Our town is also the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the trails and lakes around Mount Tamalpais, a 6,300-acre park. Find out below where to exercise, rent or buy gear, and obtain trail maps.

 

Go Climb a Mountain

There are many who gaze up at the beautiful rolling hills and valleys of Mount Tamalpais and think, How do I get up there? Where do I begin? This article is for you: the runner, hiker, walker, or cyclist that can’t wait to experience some of the most beautiful trails in North America—right in your own backyard.

 

Mount Tam’s interlocking trails and fire roads allow the intrepid traveler to design a loop or point-to-point course from almost any starting place. But there are two perfect entries to the mountain within minutes of downtown San Anselmo.

 

The first, at Natalie Coffin Greene Park, takes you on an easy, rolling 2.7-mile loop around the picturesque Phoenix Lake. The main fire road also leads to two other trails: Eldridge Grade, which journeys to the top of Mount Tam, roughly five miles away; and Shaver Grade, which leads to two other lakes: Lake Lagunitas and Bon Tempe Lake.

 

The second, via Deer Park in nearby Fairfax, a five-minute drive from downtown San Anselmo, gives you direct access to Lake Lagunitas and Bon Tempe Lake. This is the birthplace of mountain bikes, which were first tested on these hills. From Deer Park’s fire road or single-track trail, you can easily climb to Five Corners, a junction to many other trails.

 

Now all you need is some time and a good map! Trail maps that show all the interconnecting trails as well as entry and exit points are available in downtown San Anselmo at Fleet Feet Sports ( 649 San Anselmo Ave., 415-258-8190) or Paradigm Cycles ( 702 San Anselmo Ave., 415-454-2949). These shops also offer tips on the best routes based on your interest and skill level. Enjoy—and we’ll see you up on the mountain!

 

RUNNING, WALKING, HIKING

 

Marin Running Store

649 San Anselmo Ave., 415-258-8190, www.fleetfeetsananselmo.com

Marin Running Store is a family-run business selling apparel and shoes for running, walking, yoga, and active lifestyles. We specialize in custom fitting shoes to your specific needs. Also shop here for Mount Tam trail maps, PrAna, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, Timex, and more!

 

FITNESS & DANCE

 

Élan Health & Fitness Center, Inc.

230 Greenfield Ave. 415-485-1945, www.elanfitness.com

We are a family-run health and fitness center for women, specializing in Pilates mat, yoga, aerobics, body pump, and resistance training. We also provide massage and spa services, personal training, and diet and weight-loss programs.

 

WorldDance Fitness & GoddessWear Boutique

40 Greenfield Ave., 415-457-8787, www.worlddancefitness.com

We offer adults and children classes in belly dancing, yoga, pole dancing, Middle Eastern dance styles, and more! Our boutique features belly-dance costumes and accessories, and workout clothes.

 

Stapleton School of the Performing Arts

118 Greenfield Ave., 415-454-5759, www.stapletonschool.org

Founded in 1989 by Virginia Stapleton, the school provides both an introduction to and continuing instruction in an array of performingarts disciplines, including classical ballet for youth through adults, and semi-professional, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and European character.

 

CYCLING

 

Paradigm Cycles

702 San Anselmo Ave., 415-454-9534 (shop), 415-454-2949 (office), www.paradigmcycles.com

Paradigm Cycles offers exceptional bicycle service, and sells bicycle clothing, gear and accessories. They provide custom and production frames from the very best independent frame builders and bicycle manufacturers, and can help you custom-build your dream bike based on your specific preferences, needs and budget.

 

GOLFING

 

San Geronimo Golf Course

5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 415-488-4030. www.sangeronimogc.com.

This premier public golf course is one of Marin’s best kept secrets. Ideal course conditions, stunning views, and 18 challenging holes of golf make San Geronimo Golf Course the best value in the Bay Area.

 

YOGA

 

Élan Health & Fitness Center, Inc.

230 Greenfield Avenue, 415-485-1945, www.elanfitness.com

Élan’s offers members and drop-in guests an extensive yoga program with a variety of styles and teachers. Classes, throughout the day and on the weekend, include postures, breath work, meditation, and relaxation practice. Stretch, strengthen, tone, firm and energize your body, mind and spirit. Activity

 

The Yoga Garden

412 San Anselmo Ave, 415-485-5800, www.yogagardenstudio.com

Experience yoga in a beautiful, peaceful, non-competitive environment, with individual attention from skilled, experienced teachers. We offer a variety of Hatha yoga classes, as well as private yoga instruction and therapeutic yoga.

 

One Door Yoga

Jeannie Laslow, 634 San Anselmo Ave., 415-505-3093,
Mail to: jeannie@reddooryoga.com, www.reddooryoga.com

Nestled among the hills of glorious Mount Tam in downtown San Anselmo, this intimate yoga studio is ideal for private lessons, small groups of ten or less, teacher trainings, meditation, and massage therapy. Private yoga lessons and Integral Hatha yoga classes taught in mornings and early evenings. Massage Therapy by appointment only.

 

 

 

SAN ANSELMO’S TOP TEN FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

 

Planning a visit to San Anselmo with the kids? Need a rainy day—or any day—activity? San Anselmo offers families and children of all ages plenty to do. Here are our top ten picks for family-friendly activities in San Anselmo:

 

1. Blast to the past at the San Anselmo Historical Museum.

110 Tunstead Ave., in Town Hall, 415-258-4659.

What did San Anselmo look like 100 years ago? Where did the Miwok Indians live? How did the railroad put San Anselmo on the map? Find out the answers to these questions and more at this museum. Check out the Children’s Corner, with San Anselmo-themed coloring books.

 

2. Conquer a castle and pet a dinosaur at Millennium Playground.

From Sir Francis Drake Blvd., turn east on San Francisco Blvd., then right on Veterans Pl. to access the parking lot.

Hands down the best children’s playground in Marin, Millennium Playground has lots to tempt any youngster: ceramic animal fountains, a large climbable castle, a dinosaur, and a separate tot play area.

 

3. Unleash your creative side at Doodlebug.

641 San Anselmo Ave., 415-456-5989, www.doodlebugmarin.com

Drop into Doodlebug to engage the entire family in arts-and-crafts activities like pottery painting, clay play, mosaics, and knitting. Or enroll in an ongoing class (two-year-olds and up) in fabric design, sculpture, and needle crafts, among others. It also hosts monthly artthemed pj’s parties, and it sells toys, games, and a bounty of art resources to continue your creativity at home. A popular pick for birthday parties and summer camps.

 

4. Sing, party, and shop at Dixie-Park.

718 San Anselmo Ave., 415-457-2884

On top of kid’s clothing, toys, select maternity wear, and nursery furniture, Dixie-Park offers ongoing events and classes: sing-alongs with Susan Zellanski (who also teaches sign language) on Mondays for infants, toddlers, and kids; monthly pj’s parties with musical guests like Tim Cain and Miss Kitty; facilitated mom-and-baby groups—and much, much more.

 

5. Read a page-turner at the San Anselmo Carnegie Library.

110 Tunstead Ave., 415- 258-4656.

Older kids can check out books while tots three and younger join Book Babies, a story-and-song program on Mondays at 10 a.m. (call to confirm dates). The library also offers a summer reading program and children’s holiday programs. And don’t forget to hop on our town mascot, Sugarfoot, the deer on Town Hall’s lawn. Just watch the antlers!

 

6. Pretend you’re royalty at San Anselmo Inn’s Sunday tea.

339 San Anselmo Ave., 415-455-5366, www.sananselmoinn.com Reservations required. Cost: adults, $25; children, $15

Teach your children the elegant art of English tea—and don’t forget to point that pinky! On Sundays from 3 to 5:30 p.m., San Anselmo Inn serves a traditional tea to the sounds of live harp or guitar music. Choose from aromatic teas, delectable finger sandwiches, and English scones with heavenly Devonshire cream. The perfect plush place for birthday parties, too.

 

7. Get lost in a maze of garden paths at Robson-Harrington Park.

237 Crescent Rd. at Raymond Ave., 415-258-4640

Play hide-and-seek in the elaborate garden, have a picnic, then check out the estate’s wall (built using brick rubble from the 1906 earthquake) and Victorian mansion. Visit the two palm trees on the upper grounds to see if you can spy a sleeping owl in the branches above. And for the truly adventurous, tear apart the owl pellets found at the base of the trees to look for rodent bones!

 

8. Lick a scoop at Marin Coffee Roasters and splash in Creek Park.

Marin Coffee Roasters: 546 San Anselmo Ave., 415-258-9549

Creek Park: Adjacent to the corner of Center and Sir Francis Drake Blvds.

Step into Marin Coffee Roasters for a hot cocoa, a quick bite, and a scoop of organic Three Twins ice cream. Then follow the path adjacent to the café across the bridge to Creek Park, and descend the creek-side stairs to search for fish and fauna. During the summertime Film Night in Creek Park (www.filmnight.org), bring a picnic dinner and watch movies under the stars.

 

9. Watch a weaver at CedarChest.

603 San Anselmo Ave., 415-454-2568. Open Tues–Fri.

Stop in from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. to see weavers in action. Cedar’s weavers—adults with developmental disabilities from the Cedars of Marin Textile Arts program—earn an income from their handiwork, which is sold at the store. Buy tea towels, baskets, and gifts for the home—and teach your kids about community-conscious shopping!

 

10. Hike a trail at Sorich Ranch Park.

End of San Francisco Blvd.

Enjoy a picnic lunch, then race your kids to the trails and walk along the lovely ridge between San Anselmo and San Rafael. Keep an eye out for hawks, deer, and other critters.