When I founded the Peninsula Hiking Group a year, I vowed never to do the same hike twice. So far, I have kept to my word. Different month, different hike. In the San Francisco Bay Area, we are blessed with almost countless hiking options. That all said, we may need to do this one again. 5 stars. 9.7 miles on All Trails (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dipsea-trail–2), but probably closer to 11, from the Stinson Beach parking lot (start there, not at Muir Woods, for a number of reasons). Start early. We arrived at the parking lot at 8:30am and hit the trail, across Highway 1, by 9am. It was warm (61 degrees Fahrenheit) for the coast, and 80 degrees by the time we returned, about 5 hours later.
The Dipsea Trail is extremely well marked, in sharp contrast to many of the trails on my hikes. No backtracking. No second guessing. No need to consult the All Trails App. Just follow the signs and common sense. The hike is uphill both ways. Just look at the map. The perfect antidote to being in a conference room and glued to my computer for the past 3 weeks. Lots of steps, although not as intimidating as the 688 steps when you pick up the trail in Mill Valley, about two miles past Muir Woods, and about seven miles from Stinson Beach. Different terrain and scenery every mile (just look at the photos below); if you’re not happy with your boss, just wait for another 6-12 months (when, after the reorg, you’ll get a new one). Same concept here. Just wait (hike).
Fabulous views in all directions, with Stinson Beach (of course) below, the fog rolling into the various inlets and valleys, Salesforce Tower and Sutro Tower above the San Francisco fog line, Mount Diablo to the east, strong, tall, impervious. Redwoods, Monterrey Pines, Bay Trees, Cypress Trees, ferns and more ferns, a gurgling creek, hawks soaring – who could ask for more? I was asked if this is my favorite hike so far. Top two, for sure, with Diablo as the other candidate. Difficulty level, relative to my other hikes: 7 out of 10. Diablo, which very much deserves the Black Box warning I give it, is a 10. My preferred route on Mission Peak, definitely an 8 and possibly a 9. Dipsea is strenuous, but manageable.
When you arrive to Muir Woods, if you have time, explore. $15 per person entrance. Reservations might still be needed. I last visited in December 2020, during the height (or certainly one of the crests) of the pandemic. Everyone was masked. Trepidation was in the air. Thankfully, the vibe is different now. That said, we’re not out of the woods (pun intended) yet.
What does one discuss with other hikers during a 5-hour adventure? First, and foremast, back care remedies. I turn 50 next year, and the other hikers are a few years older. Once we progressed beyond discussing various stretches, exercises, engaging a personal trainer (in my case, the fabulous Alyssa), yoga (with the inimitable Deep), chiropractors, ointments, etc., we focused on topics that might have a broader appeal, like politics (San Francisco District Attorney recall; can Gavin go national in ‘24 or ‘28? can the Biden Presidency get back on the rails?), work, travel, books (The Castle by Kafka if you enjoy impenetrable prose), sports (Go Warriors!), and the economy (hello Stagflation?). On the way back, we had a spirited discussion on the top bands from 1986, when we were in high school or in my case, entering it the following year. Bon Jovi, Bananarama, Peter Gabriel, Howard Jones, and a few others came to mind. We debated whether or not these were really songs from 1986 (or perhaps from 1985, etc.). Splitting hairs. Picture your favorite 80s’ montage, set to Things Can Only Get Better.
Which brings us to Stinson Beach, about 20 miles north of San Francisco, unchanged from when I first visited it, in the late 1980s. Quaint, cosy, rustic, San Junipero (for Black Mirror fans). Grab lunch at the Parkside Cafe (https://www.parksidecafe.com). Niman Ranch burger, medium; Point Reyes bleu cheese; avocado (perhaps). Ice-cold Kolsch. Jazz quartet. Sunny. Light breeze. Slightly muggy. I considered ordering a half dozen local (Hog Island) oysters, but, as June, of course, does not have an “r”, decided against it in due course. Iced americano from a local coffee stand for the road. A perfect hike (and day). Comments welcomed.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 