Cool stuff for your guests: A Mt. Tamalpais bike ride

Choosing a Northern California wedding venue for you marriage usually means your wedding is going to be a destination for your guests.  That's especially true if you select any of the many great San Francisco wedding locations. Guests coming to this town are really going to want to explore.  But often, they don't know where to go.  And even if you live here, they'll likely consider you a bit too busy to ask you for any sightseeing tips during your wedding day. ; ) 

So my "Cool stuff for your guests" blogs are all about places that are great for your guests to go either on their own or with an organized group after your wedding. 

In this post, it's all about exploring Mt. Tamalpais via an easy, fun bike ride to a famous little inn called West Point Inn.  According to Wikipedia,

"Mount Tamalpais is the highest peak in the Marin Hills, which are part of the Northern California Coast Ranges. The elevation at the East Peak, its second highest point, is 2,572 feet (784 m). The West Peak, the mountain's highest peak where a radar dome currently stands, is 2,574 feet (785 m). It stood over 2,600 feet (792 m) before the summit was flattened for the radar dome construction. The mountain is clearly visible from the city of San Francisco and the East Bay region."

Indeed, it's so close to San Francisco that it can easily be seen from many buildings in town.  Because of this, it makes a great excursion for your guests who want something a little more active to do than drink and eat.

Here's my reco for a fun, energizing afternoon:

• Rent a couple mountain bikes at Mike's Bikes in Sausalito.  This will cost about $50 - $80 for the day
• Grab a picnic lunch at Whole Foods Market in Mill Valley
• Head to Blithedale park.  Get on the bikes and head up the gradual incline of the Railroad Grade trail (the trailhead is on the right at the end of the park (it's a dirt road)

• Be sure to bring plenty of water - you're in store for a 4 or 5 mile ride up to West Point Inn

• But the ride is worth it.  If you do the trip on the weekend, you can grab refreshments at the West Point Inn snack bar.  And the view from the picnic grounds is simply amazing. 

• And hey, this is a vacation, so walking your bike is okay too! ; )

So, in sum, if you're getting married at any of the many Northern California wedding locations near Mt. Tamalpais, and your guests are of the active type, taking this ride is a fantastic experience (and will burn off some of those champagne calories!).

About Lucky Shot Studios:
Lucky Shot Studios is a Bay Area wedding photographer specializing in artistic wedding photography with a photo journalistic style.  If you're in the process of choosing a wedding photographer, Lucky Shot Studios would love be considered.