Attractions and Places To See around Richmond - Top 20

The Sausalito Bike Path runs through Mill Valley. It's a paved route with great views of the wetlands on the old Northwest-Pacific rail line, which operated from 1884 until its closure in 1971. The path ends near Mike’s Bikes in Marin City, where riders can continue along the busy Bridgeway into Sausalito or take quieter marina backroads.

One of the most impressive visits when visiting San Francisco.

The Angel Island Ferry Landing in Ayala Cove offers regular passenger ferry service to Tiburon and San Francisco. The Angel Island to Tiburon Ferry provides a 15-minute crossing of the Racoon Strait to the Tiburon Ferry Terminal. The island is car-free, providing safe trails to hikers and bikers. Unlike the Tiburon and Sausalito ferry piers, private boats can moor at Ayala Cove Pier under Angel Island State Park's rules. Late in the day, lines can grow long, and on busy dates, visitors may be left waiting at the pier when the ferry reaches capacity.

Once feared as an insurmountable prison, the island now stands as a symbol for historical narratives that explore the limits of freedom and restriction. In the shadow of the famous Golden Gate Bridge and nestled in the cold, treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz is more than just an isolated rock. It is a place where history comes to life. The island became famous for its notorious inmates such as Al “Scarface” Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. But even after the federal prison closed in 1963, Alcatraz remains a sobering yet fascinating sight. The feeling of isolation on this windswept, often fog-shrouded island is palpable. Standing there and looking at the breathtaking skyline of San Francisco, which seems so close and yet out of reach, you can only imagine what it must have been like for the prisoners who spent their days here between 1934 and 1963. The daily tours, complemented by audio guides with original audio from former inmates and guards, make the history of the prison tangible and in-depth. The visit takes on a very special atmosphere, especially after dark, when the prison turns into a gruesome relic. But Alcatraz is not only known for its prison. The island is also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on California's Pacific Coast. The Alcatraz Island Light, first commissioned in 1854, is not only a navigational aid, but also a symbol of hope and orientation. It stands at the southern end of the island and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the bay and the city. A visit to Alcatraz is an unforgettable experience - a walk through the dark corridors of the prison, a look into the cells and the feeling of loneliness that surrounds the island leave a lasting impression. Alcatraz tells a story of humanity, hope and despair, set in the spectacular natural setting of San Francisco Bay.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park is a multi-use park for for joggers, windsurfers, kayakers, photographers, picnickers, and dog walkers. Spanning 50 acres, this park was formerly a landfill but underwent a clay-capping operation in the 1980s, transforming it into a secure and environmentally safe public space.

Opening this bike tunnel through the renovated trail tunnel as part of the 2010 redeveloped rail connection from Larkspur Ferry to Santa Rosa closed a crucial gap in the bike commute to San Francisco.

This island is the largest in San Francisco Bay, with a long history. It has been a hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a haven and supply stop for Spanish explorers, a cattle ranch, a place to process hundreds of thousands of immigrants, and a refuge for the military dating back to the Civil War era, up to the 1960s. The island's transition into a California State Park took over to protect the remains of the former immigration and quarantine stations, as well as military defense installations, and allow visitors to enjoy this beautiful hidden gem surrounded by the urban Bay area. Ayala Cove is the landing area for Angel Island State Park and is only accessible by ferry. It is a passage from Tiburon or a longer ride from San Francisco. From here, the entire island is car-free and reserved for hikers and bikers to explore this fantastic island.

Wow! Like in the film and an incredibly exciting tour.