Hiking from Bolinas to Olema on our Walking Holiday in Marin County was the longest day of our trip. If we had followed the Walkabout California route, it would have been 14.8 miles. However, we found a more direct route along the Olema Valley Trail which shortened it to 12.2 miles. Our day began with some homemade breakfast bars from The People’s Store. As we left the hippie enclave of Bolinas, we met up with a young homeless man and his dog (who we’d seen the previous day in Stinson Beach). He was resting in his hammock and shaking his head at us, in what I imagine was pity or disbelief. I’ll admit to thinking at that moment, “why exactly did we pay to do this?” But as we began walking north on Olema Bolinas Rd. then uphill on Horseshoe Hill Rd. my doubts were replaced by the beautiful scenery surrounding us.
“I’ve been here 20 years and never seen you before,” says old man with green beret, Day 6
If you want to capture the true essence of Marin County (in my humble opinion), you just need to hang out in one of their beach communities. And if you can only choose one, stay in Stinson Beach and include a visit to its very close neighbor, Bolinas.
“People actually RUN this?!” says Clare in disbelief, Day 4 & 5
Two facts we learned very quickly during our two night stay in Mill Valley: you can’t hang clothes to dry AND everyone living there must be an Olympian.