Meditation and Music in Marin, California

The Trip

Indulge yourself in the beautiful vistas, aromatic bouquets, and hidden delights of Marin County, California. Within a pebble's throw of the congestion and bustle of San Francisco, Marin County is composed of five national and state parks, historic dairy farms, a 2,500-foot mountain, a lagoon where harbor seals lounge, the Green Gulch Farm nestled among whispering pines, and dozens of trails which beckon to be explored. Early mornings we will welcome the day with an hour of meditation either in the large hardwood-floored great-hall or smaller living room with a stone fireplace. All levels of practitioners are welcome but the meditation practice will be especially appropriate for those seeking an introduction to meditation, including an introductory sitting. Those with more experience should be aware that practice time each day will be limited.

To best experience the highlights of our four to nine mile moderately strenuous day-hikes, we will combine a mixture of paced hiking with time for taking pictures and enjoying the captivating sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Marin. We'll visit the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, hike along coastlines, through redwood forests, in the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes National Seashore; explore the ambiances of ocean-side villas including bakeries, bookstores and restaurants that feature local ingredients; and enjoy an evening bay-side concert. This invigorating week is for people who love to hike and delight in re-discovering the treasures within themselves and in Marin County, where the treasures are hidden in plain sight.

Our private lodge is nestled halfway up Mt. Tamalpais in the beautiful coastal hills of Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. We will welcome each day with ‘early’ meditation, enjoy a nutritional breakfast and head out to hike to a unique destination. After lunch and a pleasant day on the trail, we'll return to hot showers, healthy meals, and an evening guest speaker or roundtable discussion about local conservation issues. 

Each day will feature a day hike in a different ecological community in Marin County. We'll visit the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area including the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center, Point Bonita lighthouse, and enjoy scenic vistas across the Bay. Bring your binoculars and your cameras as we'll have plenty of resplendent photo opportunities from the peak of Hawk Hill. An afternoon’s adventure will find us hiking through stately redwoods, alongside a stream and waterfall, and across open, rolling hills until we reach Stinson Beach. We may wade in the ocean, hike to a nearby tide pool area, or take a short drive to a hamlet known for its artists and retro ambiance. Another day may find us spending time at Point Reyes National Seashore hiking along scenic cliffs while listening to the seals, descending the 150+ stairs down to the lighthouse or touring the Visitor’s Center.  We’ll also explore the town of Point Reyes Station with time to enjoy the delicacies of the Bovine Bakery and Cowgirl Creamery. An all-day adventure may find us hiking across the rolling hills of the Bolinas Ridge with picturesque views of Angel Island, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge rising through the lingering tendrils of the San Francisco morning fog.

In order to allow trip participants to immerse themselves in the vibrancy of the locale and to experience the hospitality of the local entrepreneurs, Friday afternoon will be left open to explore unique shops and museums in Sausalito. Dinner will be dutch-treat and then we’ll gather for the Friday evening jazz concert by the bay. 

Rental vans and participant vehicles will be used to transport the group to trailheads as needed. To reach most trail heads will require in-vehicle drive time; the leaders will do their best to select the shortest, most scenic routes to minimize in-vehicle travel time. Riders should plan to reimburse fellow participant drivers for mileage. All participants should be experienced hikers and willing to hike four to nine miles each day, some hikes will entail walking on slippery rocks, ascending/descending stairs, and some rugged terrain. The leaders will make every reasonable effort to provide the activities outlined in the trip's itinerary. All hikes and programs are subject to change depending on a variety of factors including trail conditions, permits, weather, and abilities of the group.

Please do not make flight reservations before consulting with the leader. If participants would like to extend their stay in San Francisco, or in Marin or San Mateo county, the trip leader is willing to provide suggestions regarding accommodations and/or additional activities.

Getting There

San Francisco (SFO) is the nearest airport. Our lodge is located about 15 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is accessible by public transportation from the airport or downtown San Francisco. Detailed travel information and departure bulletins, including information on the use of public transportation and/or participant names to arrange carpooling, will be provided to trip members well before our trip begins. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

Our rustic lodge is nestled on a scenic ridge with views of the bay. We will enjoy privacy as well as proximity to many trails. We will dine in either a glassed-in porch or outside on a large deck. Each sleeping area has four to six beds, so please be prepared to share your space. The two bathroom, shower and toilet facilities are shared by all participants but have privacy doors. A good set of earplugs is always a recommended item to bring. Pack lightly as the bedrooms have minimal space for accommodating luggage. No lodge staff reside onsight at the lodge so everyone will be required to vacate the lodge during the day.

This trip will emphasize dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, but will not be strictly vegetarian. Our meals will be wholesome and nutritious. Persons with specific dietary restrictions, food allergies and/or strong dietary preferences should discuss them with the leader before signing up for the trip to see if accommodations are possible. As is customary on National Outings trips, all participants will take turns assisting with meal preparation, kitchen chores, and clean-up.

Trip Difficulty

Hiking by definition is a strenuous activity, but it is an activity that many people can do. All participants should be experienced hikers and able to hike up to nine miles each day with moderate elevation gain. Hikes will entail some steep inclines/declines, walking on slippery rocks and uneven terrain, ascending/descending stairs, and possibly wet feet. The ability to hike moderately while enjoying your pristine surroundings is essential for your enjoyment as well as that of your fellow hikers. At the discretion of the leader, more strenuous options may be available in addition to the planned hikes. Closed toe, well-broken-in hiking shoes are strongly recommended. To fully participate in this adventure, you will need to maintain a regular aerobic training program several months prior to our trip and become accustomed to carrying an appropriately equipped daypack.

Equipment and Clothing

Bay area weather is usually unpredictable in early summer; the climate along the Pacific Coast tends to be breezy but mild. For meditation, bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. If you own a meditation cushion, bring it if you wish. The great-hall meditation room may be chilly in the early morning so please bring your favorite fleece or warm clothing and socks. For hiking and evenings at the lodge, dressing in layers works well. Be kind to your back, knees, and feet; well-broken-in hiking boots are essential. A daypack, water bottles or hydration system, sleeping bag/sack, towels, re-sealable plastic lunch box, personal toiletries and ouch kit, a warm hat, gloves, fleece/wind-jacket, raingear, and any medications that you may need during the trip are requisite gear. Hiking poles or cane is recommended. A detailed equipment list will be provided well before our trip begins.

Conservation

The area surrounding San Francisco Bay contains mountain topography, wetlands, old-growth forests, and other ecological features. Much has been lost to development, but much has been saved, mostly due to the heroic efforts of individuals and local environmental organizations like the Sierra Club. More than 60% of Marin County’s land area is protected through public ownership. We will experience many of these areas firsthand and learn how heroic grassroots efforts have made the difference in saving them.

The oceans are not an inexhaustible resource either, they need our help. Climate change; contamination by plastics, debris, and toxic chemicals; over-fishing and fish farming; reef destruction; off shore oil drilling; and the tourism economy’s effect on coastal and deep-sea ecosystems are all complex threats to the health of the oceans. We’ll learn about efforts to restore the oceans’ health and preserve them for future generations, and ways we can affect change with our individual actions.

All Sierra Club leaders are volunteers, dedicated to conservation and the enjoyment of the outdoors. Our hope is that the participants on this outing will come to embrace the need to become dedicated stewards of the Earth and protect our wild places. If at the end of our week’s adventure you share just a bit of our love for our spectacular wild forests, rivers and oceans, we'll feel that we've done our job well. We will practice Leave No Trace; Take Only Memories principles that will minimize our impact and will model recycling, conservation, and minimal water use practices.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.