Mount Tamalpais State Park

Whale watchers at Mount Tamalpais State Park enjoy the view from one of the Steep Ravine Environmental Cabins.

It would be interesting to know how many couples have gotten engaged at Mount Tamalpais, for this grassy 2,571-foot summit overlooking San Francisco Bay is surely one of the country's most romantic spots. Here, hawks glide on rising thermals and the white-washed city of San Francisco gleams below.

Over 50 miles of trails zigzag across 6,300-acre Mount Tamalpais State Park, widely enjoyed by hikers, cyclists and equestrians. (Cyclists are limited to fire roads and some trails are closed to horses.)

An auto road runs to the summit of the East Peak, where several rugged foot trails begin.

The park abuts several public lands, including the redwood-studded Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park's 6,200 acres change from coastal grasslands to chaparral hillsides and from leafy woodlands to redwood forest.

Tent camping is permitted at 16 walk-in sites at Pantoll Station. There is also an equestrian campground (reservations required) between Muir Beach and Muir Woods. A visitor center is located at the East Peak.

Hang gliding near West Ridgecrest Blvd., permitted only to members of the Marin County Hang Gliding Association, is among the more dramatic park activities.

For information about guided hikes by the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association, write the MTIA at P.O. Box 3318, San Rafael, CA 94912.