WEST MARIN: GARY GIACOMINI OPEN SPACE PRESERVE

WEST MARIN: GARY GIACOMINI OPEN SPACE PRESERVE

Leader: Gary Weiss  | gary@sfhiking.com  | 415-279-5570

Meeting Date and Day: Saturday, June 13, 2026

SF Carpooling Meeting Location: Whole Foods: 2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below. 
East Bay Meeting Location: Rockridge BART, bottom of escalator.

Please only show up at Whole Foods or Rockridge if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.

Carpool Meeting Time (From SF or Rockridge): 8:45 AM, departing shortly afterwards.

Rating: Level-4

Mileage: 7.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1500'

Description: Giacomini Preserve is a stunningly beautiful preserve, oddly with very few visitors.  It's located between the Mt. Tam Watershed lands and Samuel P. Taylor State Park, just beyond the foothills of Mt. Tamalpais.  The Preserve is deeply forested for the most part - primarily redwoods, but we'll pass through several different terrains - even one brief stretch of chaparral.  The hike will be about 90% shaded - my guess. There are several spots where you get to peek out of the forest to spectacular views of the Bolinas Ridge and northern Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties.
We'll start near the town of Woodacre, passing through Forest Knolls and Lagunitas. We'll hike the majority of the east-west length of the Preserve, and hike our return along San Geronimo Ridge, within the Marin Watershed lands.
The reason I'm making this hike a 4 is that it includes some hefty ups and downs in the middle.  The final descent on the spectacular Hunt Camp Trail makes it all worth it!  Well-behaved dogs always welcome.

Bring/Wear: Lots of water, lunch, snacks (if you like chocolate bring some!), sunscreen, layers - and sturdy hiking shoes with good treads for a couple of slippery downhills. If you use poles they'll be very helpful on the very steep section in the middle.

Rain Policy: Contact hikeleader if weather is questionable.

Meeting Place:  NEW!  Turns out that the Fairfax Festival will take place this weekend.  Driving through Fairfax would be a nightmare.  Thanks to Steven K for pointing this out! 
Instead of taking Sir Francis Drake through Fairfax, please go a little farther north to Lucas Valley Rd.  Take Lucas Valley Rd west all the way to Nicasio.  Then take Nicasio Valley Rd south (left) until Sir Francis Drake.  Turn left and take the first left towards the parking lot (holds 200 cars and is free).  This is what used to be a golf course.  We'll meet near the building (there's only one).
I'll lead everyone to the really hard-to-find trailhead from there. 
Google Maps Link

5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Meeting Time:  9:45 AM, departing soon afterwards.

Total Driving Distance: 73 miles total from SF, 82 from Rockridge

Per Person Carpool Fees incl bridge toll: $12 from SF; $13 from Rockridge

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)