A trip to Marin County can be a wildlife adventure. Just a short drive from San Francisco, it remains a hub of natural beauty.

With diverse landscapes including rolling hills, forest, pristine coastline, and offshore islands, Marin presents a special chance for nature lovers to see the wonder of wildlife in its natural setting.

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Marin's wildlife is to take a guided wildflower walk. Visitors can join a group hike or opt for a self-guided walk along one of the many trails that offer stunning views and an opportunity to see wildflowers like the California poppy, the golden lupine, and the Farewell to Spring.

If you are in the mood for a wildlife tour in Marin, you’ve come to the right place. Point Reyes National Seashore is famous for its Tule Elk Reserve, whale watching from Chimney Rock, and mating season at Elephant Seal Overlook. December through March, sneak a peek at these elephant seals and their pups, which have been coming to Marin since the 1970s, on Drake’s Beach.

Grab your binoculars or camera and book a tour with Point Reyes Safaris where naturalist photographer Daniel Dietrich and his team will help you locate the best of the best to bring home those memorable pictures of elk, fox, coyote, bobcat, raptors, owls, and more.

For guided tours of Marin’s natural wildlife and landscape, take a kayak tour with Tomales Bay Expeditions. A three-hour night tour with their experienced guides is very unique way to experience Tomales Bay, which is well known as a great place to see planktonic bioluminescence at night, as well as star gazing and spotting nocturnal predators. Explore other adventures on your own with a kayak rented from Blue Waters Kayaking located in Point Reyes.

The Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1909, is a crucial habitat for a variety of seabirds, marine mammals, and other species. More than 300,000 seabirds, including several threatened and endangered species like the Western Gull and the Ashy Storm-Petrel, find refuge on the islands. In December through May, you can see thousands of whales pass by the islands on their way to and from their breeding grounds in Mexico. The refuge also provides a chance to observe the gray whale migration.

Whether you’re visiting for the flowers or the animals, Marin County always has something for everyone. The Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau looks forward to seeing you this season.

// For suggestions on places to stay, go to visitmarin.org.