Mount Tamalpais State Park protects the upper slopes and flanks of the mountain, encompassing forests of coastal redwood, Douglas fir, and oak woodlands. The mountain's west-facing slopes catch Pacific fog, feeding the redwood groves that fill the canyons below. Above the fog line, the summit offers one of the most expansive views in coastal California. On clear days, the Farallon Islands are visible 25 miles offshore, and the Sierra Nevada mountains glimmer on the eastern horizon, more than 150 miles away.

From 1896 to 1930, a scenic railway carried passengers from Mill Valley to the summit, following 281 curves along a route so tortuous it was called the Crookedest Railroad in the World. The railway created a tradition of recreational use that continues today through an extensive trail network. The Mountain Theater -- the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, carved into the mountainside -- hosts performances in a natural setting that no built theater could match.

Mount Tamalpais serves as a watershed for Marin County, a navigational landmark for mariners entering the Golden Gate, and a psychological anchor for the millions of people who live in its shadow. The mountain is visible from nearly everywhere in the Bay Area, a constant presence that orients residents and visitors alike. Its trails connect to Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, and the Marin Headlands, making it the hub of a trail network that reaches from the bay to the ocean.