Mill Valley, CA

Travel Guide

FEBRUARY 2023, SAN FRANCISCO, CA - sunrise view of famous Golden Gate bridge from Mill Valley side looking twards city shows traffic lights crossing bridge
FEBRUARY 2023, SAN FRANCISCO, CA - sunrise view of famous Golden Gate bridge from Mill Valley side looking twards city shows traffic lights crossing bridge
View of homes nestled in the hills of Mill Valley.
This is the Cataract Falls hike in Marin County, CA. the closest city would be Bolinas. This is a 2 mile hike of extraordinary beauty, where one is surrounded at all times by redwoods, ferns, waterfalls, and little wooden bridges. It is a very peaceful and beautiful place.
home. ❤️ I’m incredibly lucky to call Mill Valley home. Even on the stormiest days it’s still pretty beautiful. We have so many easy walking paths and small treasures.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now

Where to stay in Mill Valley

Mount Tamalpais Hike

Almonte

4/5(54 area reviews)

Located 14 miles north of San Francisco, this picturesque city offers stunning views of Mount Tamalpais and Richardson Bay. Explore the nearby Muir Woods National Monument for a serene nature experience.

Almonte
Default Image

Downtown Mill Valley

If you're spending some time in Downtown Mill Valley, Sweetwater Music Hall and Throckmorton Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Mill Valley
Default Image

Alto Sutton Manor

While there might not be top attractions in Alto Sutton Manor, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sweetwater Music Hall and Richardson Bay Audubon Center.

Alto Sutton Manor
See our Where To Stay guide
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
$135 nightly
The price is $159 total per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
$159 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,363 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
$182 nightly
The price is $214 total per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
$214 total
Mar 18 - Mar 19
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,377 reviews)
Convenient location, friendly and helpful staff

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
$149 nightly
The price is $176 total per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
$176 total
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,909 reviews)
Pool is not open

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2026

Handlery Union Square Hotel
See all 4,882 properties in Mill Valley
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lovely and Quiet suite with GORGEOUS VIEWS-10 min to Golden Gate Bridge

Lovely and Quiet suite with GORGEOUS VIEWS-10 min to Golden Gate Bridge

Mill Valley CA
Stay at this vacation home in Mill Valley. Enjoy laundry facilities, balconies, and in-room jetted tubs. Popular attractions Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods ...
10/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Amazing house and a great stay

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

Lovely and Quiet suite with GORGEOUS VIEWS-10 min to Golden Gate Bridge
DETACHED GUEST HOUSE: Walk To Town, 1030 Sq Ft, 1 BR/1.5 BA, Mt. Tam Vie

DETACHED GUEST HOUSE: Walk To Town, 1030 Sq Ft, 1 BR/1.5 BA, Mt. Tam Vie

Mill Valley CA
Stay at this cottage in Mill Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Muir Woods National Monument and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (146 reviews)
The host gave us privacy and was very helpful.

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2026

DETACHED GUEST HOUSE: Walk To Town, 1030 Sq Ft, 1 BR/1.5 BA, Mt. Tam Vie
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

3 out of 5
2620 Jones St San Francisco CA
Stay at this condo in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco
See all properties in Mill Valley
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Explore the tranquil trails of Muir Woods National Monument surrounded by majestic redwoods in California's natural beauty

Muir Woods National Monument

Walk among towering redwoods hundreds of years old at this National Park, less than an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco.

Muir Woods National Monument
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a lovely green space in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or experience the acclaimed art scene in this vibrant area.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Redwood forest in Muir Woods National Park, Mill Valley, California, USA

Old Mill Park

Old Mill Park is just one of the places to see in Mill Valley, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the seaside and lush forest in this vibrant area.

Old Mill Park
San Francisco featuring landscape views and signage

Tennessee Valley Trailhead

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, discover rugged wilderness, a quiet beach and stunning hiking trails also suitable for riding a bike or horse.

Tennessee Valley Trailhead
Point Dume Beach Panoramic

Red Rock Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Red Rock Beach during your trip to Mill Valley? Amble around this family-friendly area's lush forest, or seek out the biking trails.

Red Rock Beach

Sweetwater Music Hall

You can get tickets for a performance at Sweetwater Music Hall during your stay in Mill Valley. Stroll along the seaside or visit the shops in this vibrant area.

Sweetwater Music Hall

Things to do

California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

$49
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
Bridge 2 Bridge Tour: Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

$48
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
Alcatraz San Francisco Bay Cruise with Night Option

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

$139
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
San Francisco City Lights Cruise

San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

$58
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)
Visit de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

$20
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket
Alcatraz Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off

Alcatraz Island Ticket and Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour

$120
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Island Ticket and Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour
See all activities in Mill Valley

Reviews of Mill Valley

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
67
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
70
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
15
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

C.G.

Lovely area.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Sort of sad last days of America

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

NIce town but like all towns in Marin County and the Bay Area in general too many cars and people. These towns which were laid out over 100 years ago cannot support the number of residents and cars in today's world. Traffic and congestion nightmare

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

There is very nice

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Watch out for afternoon traffic, can be really bad.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Beautiful, quaint old town. Just too darn crowded!

Cities near Mill Valley

Panoramic view of San Francisco Bay from Mount Tamalpais with scenic dense fog covering Pacific Ocean and city of San Francisco

Tiburon

Aerial view of Corte madera Creek in Larkspur, Greenbrae, California, USA, at sunrise. Houses line the riverbank with docks and boats with Mount Tamalpais in the background.

Corte Madera

Sausalito which includes general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Sausalito

Richmond - San Rafael Bridge curves over San Francisco Bay on hazy day

Larkspur

Explore a world of travel with Expedia