HER GUIDE: An Insider's Guide to Marin County

Vikki and Dianne — founders of super cool San Francisco tour agency Carried Away — know the Bay Area like the back of their hand. Their fabulously unconventional outings lead visitors across the city and beyond to discover the hidden gems, local haunts, and cutting edge new hotspots that give San Francisco its inimitable spark. In this edition of HER GUIDE, the dynamic duo share their top picks for sampling the best of Marin County, the wild and rambling Redwood country just north of San Francisco.

SLEEP:

1) Cavallo Point in Sausalito. We think it might be impossible to find a hotel in the Bay Area with a more beautiful view than this. Nestled at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cavallo Point is an ideal point of entry for exploring Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, the charming towns of Southern Marin and the city. You can choose from historic lodging — restored former officers’ residences — or hillside contemporary lodging. Either way, you can’t go wrong. And since spending time in Marin usually means hiking, you will want to book a much-deserved spa treatment. With a treatment you’ll get access to the lounge (complete with roaring fire), hot-tubs and steam rooms (men’s & women’s), as well as the small outdoor meditation pool.

2) The Mill Valley Inn in Mill Valley. Redwoods outside your bedroom door. A picture-perfect brook running through the property. And literally steps away from fantastic boutiques, restaurants, bookstores and walking trails. Location matters and this place has it all (for not a lot of money).

3) Manka’s Inverness Lodge in Inverness. Several years ago Manka’s experienced a devastating fire which destroyed its main lodge and restaurant. Most people assumed it had closed. But it hasn’t. Manka’s still has cabins, an annex and a boathouse on Tomales Bay to offer. In our opinion, Manka’s Cabin is a little slice of heaven when you want to get away from it all. It’s like Ralph Lauren designed a hunting lodge — luxurious, snuggly and romantic. Hike the cliffs of Point Reyes or kayak Tomales Bay, then retire to your private sanctuary to sink into the Japanese soaking tub on your redwood deck, light a roaring fire and let the noises of the evening lull you to sleep. Pure bliss.

EAT:

1) Sushi Ran in Sausalito: In-the-know San Francisco folk happily scoot across the Golden Gate Bridge to nosh on some of the best Japanese food in the Bay Area at Sushi Ran. They don't just come for the sushi made from fish flown-in daily from the Tokyo fish market (although that alone would be worth the drive!); they come for the inventive small plates and surprising, ever-changing and phenomenal entrees. The simply titled "Vegetable Tasting" is a revelation, the king trumpet mushrooms will remind you of the tenderest filet mignon and the scallop chive dumplings are tiny pockets of intense flavor. Adventurous eaters will be richly rewarded here.

2) Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur: Everything you want in a neighborhood pizza place: relaxed atmosphere, super reasonably-priced wine (like the bottle you’re drinking? Buy one to take home!) and maybe the best, blistered, chewy, yet thin crust pizza in a region where pizza is having its moment. A specialty at Picco is salad on top of the pizza; try Rocket Man on top of a Margherita and you may never eat pizza without a salad topper again. And for dessert, we highly recommend the Strauss soft serve ice cream with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. The perfect finish.

3) The Marshall Store in Marshall: Out in West Marin, along the banks of Tomales Bay, you will find this gem disguised as a shack by the water. Inside, order your oysters — raw, barbeque or Rockerfeller. And grab a chilled bottle of wine from the fridge. Then go plant yourself at a table on the edge of the water and marvel at the view until your name is called. On a sunny day there is seriously nothing better.

PLAY:

1) Hike the Pacific Coast Trail from Tennessee Valley trailhead to Muir Beach and back via Coyote Ridge Trail. Break for a midday feast at the halfway point, the charming Pelican Inn — at this point, you deserve a ploughman’s lunch and a beer, believe us. Yes, it’s a strenuous hike, but you’re allowed to take it slowly, soaking up the amazing views, the intoxicating smells and the wildlife (quails, deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, and maybe even a coyote).

2) A wild wander in West Marin. Hike Tomales Point trailhead in April/May among the wildflowers, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Tomales Bay on the other. Sip on Cabernet at Point Reyes Winery. Savor a warm morning bun at the Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes. Picnic at Heart’s Desire beach.

3) Explore Marin's most picture-book towns. Walk the waterfront in Sausalito and enjoy a strong espresso with the locals at Taste of Rome. Buy heirloom-worthy homewares at Maison Reve and the Tyler Florence Shop in Mill Valley. Antique to your heart's content in San Anselmo — making sure you pop into Zaragoza — and reward yourself with mind blowing Mexican food at Taqueria Mi Pueblo. Wander around hippie-chic Fairfax, licking a vanilla honey lavender ice cream cone from Scoop or sipping a “smidge” of wine at 123 Bolinas, a fab and contemporary new place for artisan wine, beer and food.

Marin's best-kept secret? The Tourist Club on Mt. Tam. It’s like a little bit of Bavaria in Marin. Bring in your lunch, grab a beer and relax for an Marin afternoon overlooking the redwoods. Check the website for hours and events.

Number one insider-tip for visitors:

Marin can be tricky to navigate on your own, so get out your maps and plan in advance. Or, do everything we’ve talked about here — and more — with a Marin tour from Carried Away. Whether you’re craving a hit of nature, a sampling of culinary delights, an immersion into the 13 towns that comprise Marin County, or something completely unique, Carried Away can custom design your perfect day out (in a luxury ride with all the amenities, no less)!