Samuel P. Taylor State Park
State Park · Lagunitas, California
Samuel P. Taylor State Park is a redwood-filled valley in Marin County, along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Lagunitas, about an hour from San Francisco by car in normal traffic. Papermill Creek and Lagunitas Creek run through shaded stands of coast redwood, and a campground sits under the trees - confirm size and booking window. The Cross Marin Trail, a paved path on an old narrow-gauge railroad grade, runs through the park and is the park's calling card for families on bikes. In winter, after heavy rain, coho salmon and steelhead return to Lagunitas Creek to spawn, and visitors watch from the bank - confirm the best weeks. The valley is cool and often foggy, winter brings mud and rain, and ticks and poison oak are normal. It suits campers, cyclists and families who want redwoods without the crowds of Muir Woods. It is no wilderness trek, but it rewards a slow day and an early start, ideally on a weekday.
8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, California, 94938, United States
Day use is generally 8 AM to sunset, and California State Parks has generally run this park with day-use hours from morning to sunset, with the campground on its own check-in times and the day-use fee collected at a kiosk or pay machine - confirm the current hours and fee. The salmon season runs in winter and depends on rainfall, so dates move from year to year. Heavy storms can flood the creek, bring down trees and close paths or roads, and late summer fire danger or smoke can limit use. Check the State Parks page and Marin road alerts on the day you go.
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