Steep Ravine via Matt Davis, Mt Tamalpais

You'll find the trailhead just south of Stinson Beach's firehouse. This does require a very short walk along Route 1, but this is very easy to do safely.

Our hike begins where the Dipsea Trail starts, and after passing over another road (and an alternative parking/trailhead location) you'll be heading out over rolling hills towards the Steep Ravine Trail.

Here you'll find some parking opportunities. Don't fret if these are all full, as there are plenty more spots in Stinson Beach just north of here.

Hang a left here and say goodbye to the coastal views for a while, since you're headed deep into canyon country.

Take the trip up Steep Ravine Trail alongside Webb Creek and up through the wonderfully dense redwood forest.

Sections of this trail can be rather steep but it's unlikely that you'll notice as you'll be too busy admiring the picturesque cascading streams.

The steepest of the sections is navigated by a wooden ladder around 15 feet in height. Just watch your steps here (particularly in the rain) and you'll be up and over it in no time.

The end of Steep Ravine brings you out by the Pan Toll ranger station and parking lot. A great place to fill the water bottle, talk with a ranger, or make use of the restroom facilities.

Once you're ready for the next leg of your journey head to entrance of the parking lot, cross the road and follow Pantoll Road uphill.

If your legs are aching from the climb up Steep Ravine, then you'll be relieved to hear that it's all downhill from this point onward.

We pick up the narrow Matt Davis Trail at the side of Pantoll Road and head for the coast.

The first part of our Matt Davis hike keeps us under woodland shelter, but soon we're out onto the exposed grassy hillsides where we can admire the views out onto the Pacific Ocean.

It's Matt Davis all the way.

Enter the shady groves of California redwoods and evergreens, switchbacking down hillsides and watch the sunlight stream from between the trees as you descend.

Now you're back in suburbia you're almost done. Take a left turn down this road and it'll lead you back to your starting point where you can rest your heels. Or alternatively, check out nearby Stinson Beach and feel the sand between your toes.

On the corner of Belvedere Avenue and Route 1, the Stinson Beach Fire Station is a very useful route-finding landmark. Our recommended trail begins just to the right of the firehouse, and ends just up Belvedede Avenue to the left.