As summer draws to an end, many of us are returning to school, work, and our daily routines. For others, it's just another season. Regardless, August is a fantastic time to soak in the last weeks of summer and enjoy the natural beauty around us. I encourage everyone to enjoy Marin County's natural beauty. Listen to the birds, watch the sunset, embrace the tranquility, and go for a walk. We are truly fortunate to live and work in a place known for its stunning nature as well as strong appreciation for libraries.
Explore with Marin County Free Library’s Hiking Backpacks
Did you know that the Marin County Free Library can help you enjoy and explore nature? We have recently introduced hiking backpacks, provided by the state and available for checkout at the following branches: Civic Center, Bolinas, Fairfax, Inverness, Marin City, Novato, Point Reyes, South Novato, Stinson, and Corte Madera. These backpacks, which can be checked out for one week, include hiking poles, binoculars, a CA State Park Pass, flashlight, compass, two pocket guides, and more. To learn more, call your local branch.
Access California State Parks for Free
Need a park pass? We offer the CA State Park Pass, which offers free access to several state parks in Marin County, including China Camp SP, Mount Tamalpais SP, Olompali SHP, Samuel P. Taylor SP, and Tomales Bay SP. Check availability by placing a hold or calling your local branch. For a complete list of participating parks across California, check the California State Library website. Additionally, we offer the Marin Municipal Water District Pass, granting access and parking at Sky Oaks Gateway, Bon Tempe Lake, and Lagunitas Picnic Area. Make sure to visibly hang these parking passes on your vehicle's rearview mirror.
Find Trails and Maps for Your Adventures
Looking for trail inspiration? Whether for exercise or bird watching, the Marin County Parks website offers a list of open preserve trail maps, categorized alphabetically and by region (West Marin, North Marin, South Marin, Central Marin). For trails on Mount Tamalpais, the Friends of Mt. Tam has excellent hike suggestions and the California State Park has a brochure about Mt. Tam with a full map. Additionally, the Marin County Free Library has a variety of books available to help inform, inspire, or you plan your next outdoor adventures. Here is a quick list of books that may be useful or call your local branch for more information.
Enjoy the Rest of Your Summer!
I hope you have a wonderful remainder of your summer and take the opportunity to enjoy the incredible outdoors that Marin County has to offer!
Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler (text and photos)
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