Discover 9 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Mill Valley (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Nike Missile Site SF-88, Mount Tamalpais, and Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. Also, be sure to include Tennessee Valley in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Mill Valley (California).
Table of Contents
Nike Missile Site SF-88
History museum in Marin County, California. SF-88 is a former Nike Missile launch site at Fort Barry, in the Marin Headlands to the north of San Francisco, California, United States. Opened in 1954, the site was intended to protect the population and military installations of the San Francisco Bay Area during the Cold War, specifically from attack by Soviet bomber aircraft.
The site was originally armed with Nike Ajax missiles, and modifications were made to the site in 1958 to allow it to also be armed with Nike Hercules missiles. In 1974, SF-88 was closed but was not demolished. It is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is open to visitors. Visiting day is Saturday 12:30 - 3:30 PM, with formal tours occurring every 45 minutes. A special open house day with Nike veterans occurs on the first Saturday of each month. Restoration work to the site is done on remaining Saturdays by volunteers.[1]
Address: Off Fort Barry Road, Mill Valley
Mount Tamalpais
Peak in California. Mount Tamalpais, known locally as Mount Tam, is a peak in Marin County, California, United States, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Much of Mount Tamalpais is protected within public lands such as Mount Tamalpais State Park, the Marin Municipal Water District watershed, and National Park Service land, such as Muir Woods.[2]
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
Monastery in Marin County, California. Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, or Sōryu-ji is a Soto Zen practice center located near Muir Beach, California, that practices in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. In addition to its Zen training program, the center also manages an organic farm and gardens. Founded in 1972 by the San Francisco Zen Center and Zentatsu Richard Baker, the site is located on 115 acres in a valley seventeen miles north of San Francisco and offers a variety of workshops and classes throughout the year. The land is an inholding of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has much wildlife within its borders. In addition to meditation retreats, offerings include classes and workshops on the Japanese tea ceremony and gardening. While Green Gulch Farm has a residential monastery and retreat center, guest house, and conference center, it has also become recognized as a place where organic farmers can come to learn the tools of their trade. One of the original architects of the gardens at Green Gulch was the renowned late horticulturist Alan Chadwick—who had introduced the biodynamic farming techniques influenced by Rudolf Steiner on the farm. Chadwick's grave is marked by a stupa on site. Author Fenton Johnson writes that Green Gulch Farm, "...serve as a model for living on the land in the context of a Zen Buddhist practice."[3]
Address: 1601 Shoreline Hwy, 94965-9759 Muir Beach
Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley is a small, undeveloped part of Marin County, near Mill Valley. Historically home to ranches and threatened with the development of a new city, the valley was incorporated into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, with additional sections added to the park in 1974. The park contains horse stables, a native-plant nursery, and numerous trails for hiking, biking, and horse riding, including a 1.7-mile, handicap-accessible trail that leads to Tennessee Cove and its beach.[4]
Address: Tennessee Valley Rd, Mill Valley
Throckmorton Youth Performers
Concerts and shows, Comedy club, Theater
Address: 142 Throckmorton Ave, 94941 Mill Valley
The Outdoor Art Club
Social club, Bars and clubs, Museum, Event space, Art gallery
Address: 1 W Blithedale Ave, 94941 Mill Valley
The Image Flow
Photography tours, Tours, Museum
Address: 401 Miller Ave Suite A, 94941 Mill Valley
Mill Valley Public Library
Bookshop, Library
Address: 375 Throckmorton Ave, 94941 Mill Valley
2 AM Club
Bar in Mill Valley, California. The 2 AM Club is a popular bar in Mill Valley, California. It is known as being the location of the cover photo of the Huey Lewis and the News' album Sports. Known locally as "The Deuce", it is a popular watering hole.
It was formerly known as "The Brown Jug", which was opened by Bill Brown on the corner of Miller and Montford. Prohibition caused its closure in 1921. It reopened in 1933 with the same name by Joe Hornsby, but became known as 2 A.M. Club. This was because it was outside of the city limits and therefore allowed to stay open until 2 A.M, whereas bars within the city of Mill Valley had to close at 10 pm. It became officially renamed as the 2 A.M. Club in 1940.
The famous "toilet seat" guitar created by Charlie Deal still hangs behind the bar. Charlie holds the patent for this original idea and transformed numerous donated, oak seats into decent musical instruments. He claimed the idea came to him while he was sitting on one.
The band "2AM Club" named themselves after the bar.[5]