I used to use my car-share to hike in the Olema Valley (between Bolinas Ride and Inverness Ridge) and into the Point Reyes wilderness. To get to the trailhead from SF took about an hour at best and cost me at least $50 (plus the $5 bridge toll) if I wanted to hike for more than thirty minutes. Now I pay $4 and take my time. This post describes how you can get around West Marin’s natural and recreation areas quickly and cheaply without a car, using the Marin Stagecoach.
From San Francisco, catch the Golden Gate Transit 70/80 express bus at 7th and Market Sts (on the east side of 7th St near the intersection, this is right next to the Civic Center BART station) or the GG transit #10 bus (runs across Geary Blvd) to the Marin City transit center (trip takes 35 minutes, $3.75) and then catch the Marin Stagecoach shuttle to Mt. Tam, the Tourist Club, Stinson Beach, Bolinas or points in-between (i.e. Pan Toll station, Bootjack picnic area and trailheads) (takes about 20 minutes to Pan Toll, about an hour to Bolinas, free with a transfer from the 70/80 bus or $2 without a transfer). The buses are really comfortable compared to MUNI and they run on-time.
It’s a quick bike ride to Marin City to catch the stagecoach from SF is you prefer to bike across the bridge. If you want to take your bike on the stage, there are racks that can fit two bikes on the front rack.
If you want to get to Fairfax, Lagunitas, Olema, the Point Reyes Bear Valley Visitor center, or Point Reyes Station, stay on the 70/80 GG transit bus until the San Rafael transit center and catch the northern line of the Marin Stagecoach. Check schedules and websites for the most up-to-date information. The stagecoach segments of the trip run more frequently during the summer months. The GG transit buses run about every 20 minutes or more frequently.
Wow this is great info! My girlfriend and I just moved to SF from NYC and do not have a car, nor do we plan to get one. We love hiking/camping and it has been really difficult to come across any info on how to get to these great outdoor places in the bay area without a car. This site was a true find.
By: brian on December 8, 2008
at 4:57 am
http://www.511.org/ has all kinds of info about getting around the Bay Area with or without a car. Browse around the links.
By: Java cat on March 18, 2009
at 1:07 am
[...] park has hike-and-bike campsites which are only $3 and require no reservation. Not into cycling, take the bus right to the park and still use the super cheap and convenient hike-and-bike sites. Full details on the trip [...]
By: Post-car camping at its best. A photoset by Dustin Jensen. « Post-Car Adventuring on July 15, 2009
at 1:21 am
Thank you, thank you for posting this in such detail. I, too, have tired of $50+ car share trips just to do brief hikes, or spend a day in Stinson.
By: Stephany on July 31, 2009
at 9:29 pm