Muir Woods via the Bootjack Trail

Start out on the Alpine Trail from the north end of the Pantoll parking lot. The .7-mile stretch down to the Bootjack Trail is a fine stroll in its own right, but things get much better on the Bootjack.

Turn right on Bootjack and start heading down the mountain. It's a steep walk, but shady the whole way; it's sublime in the winter when water's running in the creeks, but it's a wonderful walk in the woods any time of year.

It's just 1.3 miles on the Bootjack down the main paved path at Muir Woods National Monument, where it's a left turn and about another mile of walking to the Muir Woods park headquarters, where you can pause for lunch and fight the temptation to grab a beer at the park's cafe (you wouldn't want to be tipsy for the walk back).

Give yourself an hour or more of just strolling among the ancient, giant redwoods, then find your way back to the Bootjack Trail and start climbing back up; turn left at Alpine Trail and return to Pantoll.

Experienced hikers up for around 9 miles and over 2,000 feet of elevation gain can take in a loop that comprises one of the best hikes in the Bay Area (and anywhere for that matter).

It goes like this: when you get to Muir Woods, find the Ben Johnson Trail and head north for a mile of steep climbing to the Dipsea Trail. Turn left on the Dipsea and stay on it for 1.9 miles with a vigorous decline to the Steep Ravine Trail.

Turn right on Steep Ravine and enjoy a luscious climb along a creek for 1.7 miles back to Pantoll. Note there's a ladder in the middle that must be scaled. Steep Ravine is a prime destination in its own right that can be hiked anytime of year, even in falling rain.

Mount Tamalpais State Park is accessible via the famed California Highway 1, accessible via Highway 101 in Marin County.

Once you're on Highway 101 near Sausalito, look for the CA 1/Mill Valley/Stinson Beach exit; turn off and head west on Shoreline Highway (CA 1) till you reach Panoramic Highway (just over 3 miles) -- the main thoroughfare through Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Turn right on Panoramic Highway (you'll see signs pointing to to Muir Woods along the way; ignore them -- we're going in the back way) and continue for about 5.5 miles till you reach the large Pantoll Station parking lot. Turn left, park and buy a parking permit at the ranger station ($6 at last check but subject to inflation).