Photo taken by John Weiss

Marin and Sonoma counties, bordered on the west by the gorgeous Northern California coastline, offer no end to options for beachcombing, wave-watching and coastal hiking. (Remember Reason #19: Doran Beach). One of our favorite coastal areas in Marin is Fort Cronkhite, located in the Marin Headlands. This breathtaking bit of coast is wrought in history and beauty and is a rich habitat for native birds, butterflies, animal life (bobcats/deer/coyote), flora and miles of open space.

Rodeo Lagoon and Rodeo Beach are the natural showstoppers of the area. The pebbly Rodeo Beach offers picnic areas, surfing, excellent wind for kite flying, and trailheads for the nearby bluffs which offer exceptional views. While on the beach, reach down and run your fingers through the sand, which is made up of jasper, carnelian, black agate and jade. The beautiful green and dark-red pebbles come from pillow basalts and chert (sedimentary rock), adding to the natural beauty.

  Photo taken by John Weiss

Past use of the Headlands as a former World War II Military post (the first line of defense for San Francisco) is the reason behind the unique wood-frame architecture found throughout the area. Barracks #1059, located at Fort Cronkhite, is the only restored mobilization barrack in the west, complete with furnishings that demonstrate its former use during World War II, the Korean War and the 1960s. History buffs can take a History Walk to learn more about the area’s military past. Other former inhabitants include the Coast Miwok Indians, Spanish vaqueros and Portuguese ranchers. Today, the area is the epicenter for park activities, with access to the beach, the lighthouse and the barrack’s new residents, the Marine Mammal Center, which we talked about in Reason #5, the Headlands Center for the Arts, the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, and other nonprofit organizations.

For a personal account of what makes Fort Cronkhite so special, check out what our fellow Guide Me Home 2 Marin blogger had to say in this post.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors