My niece and I got to hike up Mount Tamalpais, aka “Mount Tam,” one of the most treasured State Parks in California. Cresting off the coast of Stinson Beach, Mount Tam features giant redwoods and moss-covered rocks that frame a high tree canopy — until the trails open up to the stunning ocean views you see here.
Mount Tamalpais has a lot of distinctive history: the American Indian Coast Miwok were said to have believed an evil witch lived atop and avoided the area. Much later, sports enthusiasts made their mark on Mount Tam: in the early 20th century the Dipsea Trail became the basis for the first cross-country race, and in the 1970s this area began the fad for mountain biking. Finally, the philosopher Allan Watts had a cabin here, making it his final home when he died in his sleep in 1973.
