Summer is not over just yet. Soak up the sun, sand and surf this year (and maybe even stop to shop) in Marin County, where you’ll have your pick of activities.

From horseback riding to gazing at the stars, you’re in for a real treat. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy a long weekend in Marin...even if you’re planning last minute.

Try a new sport.

Just because it’s a holiday weekend doesn’t mean local attractions are closed. In fact, any long weekend is the perfect time of year to try something new, especially a hobby or sport. Five Brooks Ranch, a full-service riding stable, offers a fun activity for the whole family and a scenic way to find the best views from Point Reyes National Seashore.

Never been kayaking before and looking for adventure? Let Blue Waters Kayaking take you on a learning tour of Drake's Estero. It is one of the most stunning places to paddle on the California Coast. First-time kayakers are welcome.

Indulge in honey and mead.

Once a month, Heidrun Meadery hosts a special Flower to Flute beekeeping experience through October. Don a beekeeping suit and head out to the apiary on September 11th for a hands-on inspection of working hives. Learn how honey is made into mead and then relax while tasting the best mead ever. If that is not your thing, bring friends and family for a picnic or drop in to wet your whistle after a refreshing hike in the national park next door. Enjoy a guided tasting of superlative sparkling meads or simply order a bottle on ice for an intimate seating on the patio. Essential Tasting flights are available seven days a week from 11am to 5pm.

Shop till you drop.

Calling all souvenir seekers! Marin’s towns and cities are a colorful representation of the local culture, with each neighborhood shopping district more distinctive than the last. On any given day, you’ll find a little bit of everything: antiques, fine arts, one-of-a-kind crafts, handmade gifts, and home furnishings. Art Works Downtown in San Rafael is a good starting point as it features four galleries, 28 studios, a jewelers’ guild, and more. You’ll even be able to see several artists working on their latest creations.

Strawberry Village in Mill Valley is a go-to spot for savvy shoppers, and for good reason. There are home and decor stores, specialty shops, boutiques for wellbeing, spas and salons, and eateries with alfresco dining options. Shop for souvenirs and local products in the morning, and then recharge over an organic lunch.

Outdoor Music Concerts, Movies, and Dining

Marin loves keeping people busy in the outdoors with a variety of concerts, movies, and dining options. At the Marin County Mart, outdoor movies for children are offered every Friday night through November with a showing of Encanto on Friday, September 2nd. The Corte Madera Town Center continues its Summer Concert Series every Sunday afternoon through September 18th. Don't miss Tim Flannery & the Lunatic Fringe in Novato as part of HopMonk's Cookout Series. Dining under the Lights in San Rafael continues every Thursday evening through the end of September with live music, shopping, and local food served in a safe outdoor setting.

We hope you enjoy some of these last-minute ideas for a great long holiday weekend.

// Plan your Marin County vacation by visiting the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Facebook page or visitmarin.org.