Marin County Trampers Trip
April 19th to 24th, 2026
Our upcoming Spring Away Trip to Marin County is from April 19 to 24, 2026. We’ll hike and socialize with fellow Trampers before May’s official hiking season. We visited this breathtaking area in 2017 and discovered diverse hikes and activities on various terrains, including Mount Tamalpais State Park, Angel Island, San Francisco Bay, and beyond. There are numerous beach trails to explore. April brings temperate weather and wildflowers. Our itinerary is as follows:
· Sunday, April 19th: Arrival and Welcome Reception
· Monday, April 20th: Hikes
· Tuesday, April 21st: Hikes, followed by Group Dinner
· Wednesday, April 22nd: Free Day with Optional Activities
· Thursday, April 23rd: Hikes
· Friday, April 24th: Departure
| GENERAL |
The trip dates are April 19 - 24, 2026. There will be three days of scheduled hikes, multiple social events and suggestions for many fun activities which can be enjoyed by members before, after and during our scheduled "free day" on Wednesday.
Marin County is a located across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Marin County's natural sites include the Muir Woods redwood forest, the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, the Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais.
General information about Marin County is available by CLICKING HERE.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND HOST HOTEL
The Embassy Suites in San Rafael, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael will serve as our host hotel. This recently renovated property offers exceptional accommodations and convenience for our hikes. We negotiated a $179 per night rate, plus taxes and fees, and the property waived the daily parking fee for Trampers. It provides a made-to-order breakfast and a buffet with early hours to accommodate our hike departures. The hotel offers a cocktail reception from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each evening and a restaurant on site for dinner.
We have dates reserved from April 19th to 24th, 2026. The hotel has also extended the room block rate for those arriving early or staying late. On the website, use the "Edit Stay” to customize your dates.
CLICK HERE for a link to book your rooms at the Embassy Suites. Of course you are welcome to find other accommodations. There are plenty of options in the surrounding area.
WELCOME RECEPTION AND DINNERS
Sunday April 19th : The Trampers Welcome Orientation and Reception will be held on-site at the San Rafael Embassy Suites, in the downstairs atrium, on our arrival date, Sunday, April 19th, at 5:00 pm. During this session, we will review the details of the hikes, optional activities for the Wednesday free day, and our group dinner. Hotel guests will be provided with complimentary drinks and light appetizers. However, guests staying at adjacent properties will need to pay for their own drinks at the bar for a nominal fee.
Tuesday April 21: A group dinner is planned at the Lighthouse Bar & Grill on Tuesday, April 21 which is a 17 minute drive from the San Rafael Embassy Suites to its Mill Valley location. This restaurant is set in a tennis club directly on the water and offers great views and fine dining. Doors will open at 5 pm for social hour followed by dinner at 6 pm.
Menu
Appetizers: (family - style)
- Calamari Fritti with remoulade, cocktail sauce & lemon
- Fresh Tomato Bruschetta with basil, feta cheese & balsamic reduction
Salad:
- Classic Caesar with shaved parmesan & garlic croutons
Entrees - Choice of:
- Grilled Filet of Salmon with mushroom risotto, asparagus & lemon caper beurre blanc
- Brandy Chicken with mushroom brandy sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes & asparagus
- Linguini Primavera with a light pesto cream sauce, fresh spinach & assorted vegetables
Dessert and Beverage:
- Toffee Crunch Blondie with whipped cream and berries
- Coffee & Tea
Price: $60 per person. Sorry, but no refunds for cancellations after April 10th when we give our final count to the restaurant. The restaurant is located at 475 E. Strawberry Dr., Mill Valley, CA. CLICK HERE to make dinner reservations..
HIKES
April in Marin County boasts pleasant weather and an abundance of wildflowers. Our hikes will explore various trails in the Mount Tamalpais region, as well as scenic ocean and cliff walks near San Francisco Bay. Hikes are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with Wednesday designated as a “Free Day” for other activities. We will post the hikes once they are finalized. All Hikes will depart from the Embassy Suites according to the hike listings posted on our website.
HIKE NOTES:
1. All hikes will depart from the Embassy Suites unless otherwise notified.
2. Departure Time for each hike will be listed on the posted hike forms.
3. Hikes are subject to change by leader and trail conditions.
4. Bring poles for steep ascents, descents, and potential water crossings.
5. Hike groups are limited to 12. Will need to split groups larger than 12.
6. Cell phone use imay be limited or non-existent on some of the hikes. Hike leaders are encouraged to use two-way radios.
7. Water, water water!
8. Limited parking at hike trailheads. Recommend carpooling.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
A self-guided kayaking activity out of Hearts Desire Beach on Tomales Bay has been arranged for Wednesday, April 22. For detailed information about the event including venue, times, cost, and reservations please CLICK HERE. For any other questions about the trip CLICK HERE to send an email to David Faucher.
Other optional activities for the Wednesday free day will be posted and communicated once organized.
PARTICIPATION FEE
This trip is for members only. No guests. Everyone attending will be expected to pay a $20 per person non-refundable participation fee to help defray incidental expenses incurred by the planning committee. It will also provide a complete list of all participants. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot on the trip.
Respectfully,
Jennifer and David Faucher and the Away Trip Committee