Hotels & Lodging — Where to Stay in Marin County

The finest hotel in Marin County by virtually any measure — and one of the most extraordinary lodging experiences in all of California. Cavallo Point Lodge sits on the grounds of historic Fort Baker within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, at the northern foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. To the south, the entire panorama of San Francisco's skyline is almost close enough to touch. To the west, the familiar red arcs of the bridge fill the sky. The Michelin Guide, which awarded Cavallo Point two of its prestigious Keys for "an exceptional stay," describes the experience simply: the Lodge solves the dilemma of being either in San Francisco or quite far from it by embracing that juxtaposition completely.

Guests choose between meticulously restored historic officers' residences — with wood-burning fireplaces, period details, and wrap-around porches — and thoroughly contemporary rooms in newer structures up the hill. The property also features the Sula restaurant, a full-service spa, a cooking school with rotating Bay Area chefs, morning yoga classes, hiking trails from the front door, and free tours of Fort Baker. A complete destination in itself.

Sausalito's most iconic waterfront hotel — and quite possibly the most perfectly situated hotel in all of Marin County. Every room at the Inn Above Tide features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private deck extending directly over San Francisco Bay, so you wake up to a panoramic sweep of the bay, the San Francisco skyline, and Angel Island with nothing between you and the water but a railing. Rated 4.9 out of 5.0 by guests — an almost unheard-of score — the Inn Above Tide delivers on every promise its name makes.

Steps from Sausalito's restaurants, galleries, and the Golden Gate Ferry to San Francisco — making it genuinely possible to visit the city without a car. No better base exists for exploring Sausalito and the southern Marin waterfront.

Perched on a Sausalito hillside in a Victorian mansion dating to 1885, Casa Madrona is one of the most storied hotels in Marin County — a beautiful blend of historic charm and modern comfort that has been welcoming guests for over 140 years. The property combines rooms in the original Victorian mansion with newer hillside suites and cottages, all with stunning bay views and private decks. The full-service spa, the Poggio Trattoria restaurant on the ground floor, and the prime location in the heart of Sausalito make Casa Madrona an all-in-one destination.

A charming historic boutique hotel in the heart of Sausalito on Bridgeway — shops, galleries, and restaurants all within a short walk, and the famous Sausalito houseboat community just up the road for a peek at the town's bohemian roots. Hotel Sausalito is the more accessible price point among Sausalito's destination hotels while still delivering the charm and character of a well-preserved historic property. For visitors who want to be in the center of Sausalito's action without the premium of the waterfront properties, this is the right choice.

A boutique hillside guesthouse in Sausalito with stunning bay views and a peaceful, private setting — the kind of intimate property that feels like staying in a well-appointed private home rather than a hotel. The Gables Inn offers a quiet alternative to the larger waterfront hotels while still putting you within easy reach of everything Sausalito has to offer. A short 15-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge, making it convenient for both San Francisco visits and Marin explorations.

A special boutique hotel nestled directly on Tiburon's historic dock with stunning views of San Francisco Bay — and at just 23 rooms, an intimate scale that makes every guest feel like a genuine priority. The Waters Edge Hotel sits at the heart of Tiburon's waterfront, steps from the ferry terminal, the town's excellent restaurants, and Tiburon's charming Main Street. Complimentary breakfast is delivered directly to your room each morning — a lovely touch that sets the tone for the day. From here, a water taxi or ferry connects you to San Francisco, Angel Island, and Sausalito without ever needing a car.

Centrally located on the Tiburon peninsula, The Lodge at Tiburon is a popular boutique hotel just one minute from San Francisco Bay and eleven minutes from the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley — making it an excellent base for exploring both the Tiburon waterfront and central Marin County. The hotel's central Tiburon location puts you within easy reach of ferries, local dining, and the stunning bayfront walking path that makes Tiburon one of the most pleasant towns in Marin for simply strolling with a coffee and taking in the view.

Nestled at the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore in the historic village of Olema, Olema House is a beautifully designed boutique inn surrounded by stunning pastoral and coastal landscapes. The great lawn beside Olema Creek, the hiking and biking trails accessible directly from the property, and the deeply peaceful atmosphere make Olema House the perfect base for anyone visiting Point Reyes. The adjacent Sir and Star restaurant (one of California's most celebrated farm-to-table kitchens) means that dinner is as extraordinary as the setting.

Fourteen beautifully restored waterside cottages on the shore of Tomales Bay in Marshall — each one with a private deck extending over the water, and guests receiving complimentary fresh oysters upon arrival. This is as close as lodging gets to being one with the West Marin landscape. Wake up to morning light on Tomales Bay, step onto your deck with a coffee, watch the egrets wade in the shallows, and know that everything you need — oysters, fresh seafood, the open Pacific coastline of Point Reyes — is within a short drive. A genuinely magical property.

A beloved family and group destination on the shores of Tomales Bay in Inverness — a resort with cabins accommodating groups of all sizes, from couples to large family gatherings. Guests consistently rave about the cabins, the bay setting, and the genuine community feeling of the property. Located minutes from kayaking, the Hog Island Oyster Company, and the hiking trails of Point Reyes National Seashore. The perfect choice for a family reunion, a group of friends, or anyone who wants to experience West Marin's natural splendor from a comfortable, well-equipped base.

Stinson Beach — Marin County's most beloved ocean beach and one of the few places where swimming in the Pacific is reliably comfortable — has a small and charming selection of beach inns, vacation cottages, and the Surf Lodge. The scale here is intimate almost by definition: Stinson Beach is a small community with limited lodging, which means availability is precious and the experience is genuinely special. Waking up at Stinson Beach, walking to the ocean before breakfast, watching the morning fog lift off the Bolinas Lagoon — this is quintessential Marin coastal living.

For visitors whose primary reason for coming to Marin is the redwoods and natural beauty of the Mount Tamalpais area, properties like the Muir Woods Lodge and The Evergreen offer the closest possible base to the trails, canyons, and forests that define this part of Marin. Waking up in the trees, hearing the creek outside your window, and stepping directly onto a trail to Muir Woods or Mount Tamalpais is an experience that no centrally located hotel can replicate.

The Acqua Hotel offers a sophisticated boutique lodging experience on the Mill Valley bayfront — stylish rooms with bay views, a calm and design-forward atmosphere, and a location that puts you within easy reach of both downtown Mill Valley's excellent restaurants and the trailheads of Mount Tamalpais. A popular choice for Bay Area visitors who want a quieter, less tourist-facing base than Sausalito while still enjoying Marin's most scenic southern communities. The ferry to San Francisco is a short drive away at Larkspur.