Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Wind Surfing, Skimming and Surfing - all in Marin!
Spending time in Marin County means accessing the San Francisco Bay and the adjoining Pacific Ocean. When staying at the Marin Retreat Vacation Home you wouldn't have a complete stay without enjoying the water in some way, be it dining, strolling, boating, or surfing, water is all around you in Marin.

Just think of the water activity, and enjoy!
Click on the following links that your interested in:
- Marin's Public Swimming Pools
- Marina's
- Kayaking/Canoeing, Surfing/Skimming, Windsurfing
- Water parks ,
- Marin's Watershed - fishing, hiking, spawning salmon
- Museums featuring water
- Pacific Ocean Beaches
- Beaches on the San Francisco Bay
- (This page is still in progress)
- Civic Center Lagoon Park Public. Free. (5 mins from Marin Vacation Home)
Address: Civic Center Dr & Armory Dr, Terra Linda, Marin County.
This isn't a park of swings and slides! This playground uses water for entertainment! Kids run through water spouts that deploy at press of a button! Experience lots of giggling and getting soaked. This park sits on 3.5 acres offering a gazebo, field, picnic and barbecue facilities. Also, enjoy checker/chess tables with cement stools which terrace above the water play.
These 2 water parks are HUGE, not in Marin County, but worth mentioning and nearby:
- Six Flags, Vallejo (20mins from Marin Vacation home). http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx
- Water World, Concord (40mins). http://www.waterworldcalifornia.com/
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557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, CA 94965 #415.339.3900
At Fort Baker, between Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge. "The Bay Area Discovery Museum uses the concept of 'home' for exploring the natural and cultural environments of the Bay Area - from distinctive landscape elements and natural habitats to artistic traditions. The curriculum encourages environmental stewardship, which is threaded throughout the Museum through its interactive exhibitions and programs."
2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 #415.332.3871
The Bay Model is an amazing scale model of the bay, complete with flowing water. It was built to study the effects of proposed changes to the bay, and it continues to be used occasional for this purpose.

Sausalito Marina's: (15 minutes from Marin Retreat Vacation Home)
- Schoonmaker Point Marina, 85 Liberty Ship Way # 205, Sausalito (415) 331-5550 , fun sandy beach on the bay with cafe, Kayak rental! - website: www.schoonmakermarina.com
- Richardson Bay Marina, 100 Gate 6 Road, Sausalito - (415) 332-5510 boat launch website: www.richardsonbaymarina.com
- Marina Plaza Harbor, 2320 Marinship Way # 160, Sausalito (415) 332-4723
- Clipper Yacht Harbor-Pintail, Harbor Dr, Sausalito, California (415) 332-3500 website: www.clipperyacht.com
San Rafael Marina: (7 minutes from Marin Retreat Vacation Home)
- Loch Lomond Marina , 110 Loch Lomond Drive, San Rafael (415) 454-7228 - Sail camp, lessons, etc... website:www.lochlomondmarina.com
- St Francisc Yacht Club, 700 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 563-6363; Great for weddings/large celebrations - great views!, website: stfyc.com
- Golden Gate Yacht Club, 1 Yacht Rd, San Francisco, California 94123 (415) 346-2628 - website: www.ggyc.com
Windsurfing/kayaking/Stand-up paddle:
- SQ Yacht of Marin (Marin Windsurf Club): http://www.sqyc.org/
- Sea Trek, Kayaking/ Paddle Rental (Sausalito): http://www.seatrek.com/
- Blue Waters: Kayaking Rental (Pt. Reyes): http://www.bwkayak.com/
- Oatback Adventures (kayak rental, paddle board rental.. Larkspur): http://www.outbackadventures.com/

- Stinson Beach (Skimming/Surfing): Fantastic beach for skimming. Great long stretches available. Surfing is nice, great for beginners. Current is mostly on the mild side.
- Sausalito (Skimming/Surfing): Nice beach on the bay. Great for canoing, kayaking, and sailing. Skimming is possible as well. :)
- Rodeo/Cronkite Beach (Surfing): Great surfing. Waves can be awesome.
- Bolinas (Surfing): Great surfing. Waves can be awesome.
- Hiking: Choose from over 130 miles of trails and unpaved roads, many connect with adjacent national and state parks, as well as open space district lands. Click "here" for map.
- Dog Walking: All dogs are to be on leash on public lands. No swimming in lakes.
- Horse back riding: Horses are allowed on unpaved roads and designated trails. Horses may not enter streams and reservoirs, or graze watershed lands.
- Biking: Enjoy 73 miles of unpaved roads! (see map). (However, all bicyclists are to slow to 5mph when passing others or when in blind turns.)
- Fishing: License is required. Fishing is allowed at all 7 reservoirs. For a recorded message with current fishing conditions, call: #415.945-1194.
- Picniking: At Lagunitas Lake, you can enjoy many remote and undeveloped picnic sites. To locate them, check the watershed map by clicking "here". Also, reserve the groups site and shelter for big fun! (groups site $125). Call #415-945-1180. Barbeques are provided at this site.

Marin's Public Swimming Pools :
Here's is a list of public swimming pools that I feel are worth going to if interested! These pools are open to the public and offer drop-in recreational swim hours for families. If renting the Marin Vacation Home- show contract for residential discount for San Rafael.
Though update at time of posting, please call before you go to verify times/hours!
San Rafael
- Terra Linda Community Pool (6mins from home!) (Serene setting- toddler fountain area-seemless great pool. Picnic.)
670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael (415) 485-3344
Schedule:
Open April 6–October 9 (times vary in spring and fall)
Spring hours (April 6-June 14): Monday–Friday 1:30–6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am–6 pm
Summer hours (after June 14): Monday–Friday noon–6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am–7 pm
Drop-in fees:
Adult San Rafael residents 16 and older $5, 15 years and under $4
Non-residents $9 and $7 -
Marinwood Community Center Pool (7mins from home - Fun waterslides!)
775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael
(415) 479-2335
Schedule:
Open March 24–October 10
Spring schedule (March 23–June 14): Monday–Friday 1:30–4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am–5 pm
Summer schedule (June 14-July 12): Monday–Friday 1 to 5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am–6 pm
Drop-in fees:
Marinwood residents: youths 18 and under and seniors 60+ $5, adults $6
Non-residents: youths 18 and under and seniors $6, adults $7
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McNear’s Beach Pool (8 min drive from Marin Vacation Home) (huge grass fields/Picnic&BBQ)
201 Cantera Way, San Rafael (415) 446-4424
Schedule:
Open May 29–September 10 am–6 pm daily
Drop-in fee: Swimming pool fee is $4.00 per person
Kentfield
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College of Marin: Kentfield Campus Pool
Closed due to construction
Mill Valley
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Mill Valley Community Center Pool (12mins from home) (Fun! Indoor Pool. Hot tub. Huge waterslide!!)
180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley (415) 383-1370
Schedule:
Open June 22–August 16 Monday–Friday 1:30–4:30 pm, Saturday andSunday 12:30–4:45 pm
Drop-in Fees:
Mill Valley residents: youth (2–18) $5, adults (19–59) $7, seniors (60+) $6
Non-residents: Youth $6, adult $8, seniors $7
Novato
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College of Marin: Indian Valley Campus - Very Nice/ great setting!
1800 Ignacio Boulevard (415) 892-2269
Schedule:
Open June 16–August 7, Monday–Thursday 11:30 am–3:30 pm
Drop-in fee:
$5 for adults, $4 for children and students and $3 for seniors and disabled students.
Purchase tickets at Room 100, Bldg. 9
Marin Vacation Retreat Home Reservations Calendar & Contact Info:
email: info@marinvacation.com
phone: +1 (415) 233-6964
(Click on above image for home availability calander)

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Marin Retreat Vacation Home is a proud member & supporter of Wildcare
Wildcare is a Marin organization dedicated to healing & releasing local wildlife back into it's natural surroundings. It is also an institution dedicated to educating the local population on it's natural environment and the animals within.
Not in the San Francisco Bay Area and looking for such an organization?
Click for a list of rehabbers nationwide.
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