Home > Resource Center > In the News Home > Greenbelt Alliance in the News

Greenbelt Alliance In the News

October 2, 2008

Urban Outings: Mill Valley to the Tourist Club

Would you climb 676 steps for a cold beer? If so, this outing is for you.

It begins in Mill Valley's Old Mill Park and climbs that many steps along the Dipsea Trail before veering off onto the Sun Trail to the Nature Friends Tourist Club. This private German beer garden is set in a Bavarian-style lodge that hugs the slopes of Mount Tamalpais. Bring lunch. While the beer is plentiful, the snacks are mostly confined to pickles and pretzels. Or try the Punjabi burritos at the family-run Avatar's (15 Madrona St., just off Throckmorton in downtown Mill Valley. Closed on Sundays).

The hike: Start at the south side of Old Mill Park. At the corner of Cascade Drive and Molino Avenue are the first 313 steps of the Dipsea Trail leading up Cascade Way. Pace yourself. Walking up is the equivalent of climbing a 50-story building. At Millside Lane, turn right onto Marion Avenue, then sharply left to find the second staircase. Look for Dipsea Trail signs to guide. At the top, turn left at Hazel for the third staircase. Note the engraved bronze plaques in the risers honoring the people who helped finance the reconstruction of these steps.

Once there, cross Edgewood Avenue and take the dirt trail above Sequoia Valley Road to avoid street traffic. Prepare to share the trail with deer. Bear right onto Walsh Drive, which continues as a trail, past the Dipsea 1-mile marker. The trail blends into Bayview Drive, ending at the Panoramic Highway. Cross carefully and walk to the right to the trail marker. After a tenth of a mile, cross a wooden bridge to connect to the Sun Trail. (The Dipsea continues downhill to the left.) The dizzying Sun Trail is actually a narrow ledge cut into the slopes of Mount Tam with extraordinary views. Pay attention while walking as the slope drops sharply. After 0.7 miles on the Sun Trail, there will be a paved trail leading to the Tourist Club.

The Tourist Club: Break out the picnic lunch on one of the decks of this lively alpine chalet in the secluded redwood forest and purchase a German beer or ale. The lodge was built in 1914 by a group of German immigrants, who carted supplies up the mountain by mule or dragged them up manually. Today, the club offers its members hikes, outings and dances. Nonmembers can come on designated weekends or participate in fundraising "fests" held several times a year, featuring German food, music and, of course, beer.

Getting there: By bus from San Francisco, take the Golden Gate transit bus No. 80 at Mission and First streets and transfer at Marin City to the No. 17 to the Mill Valley Depot, a short walk from the trailhead. Go to www.goldengatetransit.org for schedules.

By car: To get to the Dipsea trailhead in Mill Valley from San Francisco, head over the Golden Gate Bridge, continuing north on Highway 101. Take the Stinson Beach/Mill Valley exit, merging onto Highway 1. Continue on Almonte Boulevard, which becomes Miller Avenue. At Throckmorton, turn left and then left again on Cascade Way to Molino.

Nature Friends Tourist Club. 1-6 p.m. First, third and fourth weekends of the month. Be sure to check club rules at www.touristclubsf.org.

Urban Outings are presented by Greenbelt Alliance, the Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To suggest an Urban Outing, contact Gail Todd, tour leader for S.F. City Guides and author of "Lunchtime Walks in Downtown San Francisco." For more Urban Outings as well as Greenbelt Outings, go to www.greenbelt.org/outings.

###