1. Chimney Rock at Point Reyes
Chimney Rock provides one of the finest wildflower displays on the West Coast with more than 50 species identified. The best displays run from March to May with an old favorite, hairy star tulip or pussy ears, a small white lily with hairs on the inside petals, showing up in late April.
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| Flowers at Chimney Rock
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Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Olema, R on Hwy 1 for 200 yds, L on Bear Valley Rd and follow signs to the lighthouse. Be sure to turn left 0.5 miles before the lighthouse.
Note that Chimney Rock is also a Top 7 View Point and one of the Top 7 Hikes in Marin County. Because of the popularity of Chimney Rock, the Park Service runs a shuttle bus from south beach to the lighthouse and Chimney Rock from December to April for a nominal fee.See Hike G13.
2. Ring Mountain on the Tiburon Peninsula
Ring Mountain offers great variety and abundance of flowers from late March to June. In late May, look for the rare brown lily, Tiburon Calachortus, only found on Ring Mountain.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Corte Madera, E on Paradise Drive for 1.5 miles, past Westward Dr to parking area and trailhead gate. Take one of many trails to the top. See Hike A11. Note that this hike is also one of the Top 7 Hikes in Marin County.
3. Coastal Trail at the Marin Headlands
The Coastal trail, from Conzelman Rd to Bunker Rd offers great wildflowers in March and April. Look for poppies, lupine, Indian paintbrush, mimulus and red maids.
Directions from Hwy 101: At the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Sausalito exit and follow signs for Marin Headlands and Conzelman Rd. Park near the junction of Conzelman Rd and McCullogh Rd. and take the Coastal trail downhill. Note that there could be lots of bicycles on the trail. See Hike A3.
4. Benstein Trail on Mt. Tamalpais
Take the Benstein trail from the Rock Spring area to look for the lovely calypso orchid in late March or April.
Directions from Hwy 101: Near Sausalito, W on Hwy 1, R on Panorama Hwy to Pantoll, R on Pantoll Rd to Rock Spring. See Hike B18.
5. Abbotts Lagoon and Kehoe Beach at Point Reyes
Both of these areas offer abundance and variety of flowers, especially in April. In each case take the trail towards the ocean. The best flowers at Kehoe Beach lie on the hillside to the right of the trail at the ocean. At Abbotts Lagoon, be sure to climb the hill just before the bridge.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Olema, R on Hwy 1 for 200 yds, L on Bear Valley Rd, L on SF Drake, R on Pierce Point Rd. See Hike G17.
6. Baltimore Canyon in Larkspur
The magnificent trillium, with its 3 symmetrical, white petals, is one of the early spring flowers in Marin. You should be able to find some in the upper end of Baltimore Canyon in March.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on SF Drake, L on Bon Air Rd, L on Magnolia for 0.8 miles, R on Madrone to the end. Restricted parking. Hike along the creek for 0.5 miles. See Hike A15.
7. Pumpkin Ridge near the lakes on Mt. Tamalpais
Some years, Pumpkin Ridge, just north of Bon Tempe Lake, has the best display of iris in Marin County. Look for a variety of colors, ranging from white to a delicate gold to deep purple. April is the best time to go.
Directions from Hwy 101: In Greenbrae, W on Sir Francis Drake to Fairfax, L on Bolinas Rd, L on Sky Oaks Rd. Fee. The trail starts at the right turn into the Lake Lagunitas parking area and heads uphill. See Hike C17.
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