The Best Hotels to Book in Marin County, California

Just north of San Francisco in Marin County, Sausalito is a charming community with hotels to match | © Russell Kord / Alamy Stock Photo

Mandi Keighran

6 November 2020

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Northern California’s Marin County has plenty going for it – think spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, miles of hiking trails and rugged coastline with pretty bays. And it’s just minutes away from San Francisco, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. Read our guide to the best hotels in Marin County, all bookable with Culture Trip, from a Victorian landmark in Sausalito to a coastal nature retreat in Bodega Bay.

Casa Madrona

Courtesy of Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa / Expedia

Marin County is home to some spectacular sights – and the views from Casa Madrona, in the charming seaside village of Sausalito, are some of the best. The hotel, a treasured landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, combines characterful Victorian heritage with modern elegance, and looks out over the harbor and San Francisco Bay. The hotel’s signature space? The two-bedroom Alexandrite Suite, which boasts over 5,000sqft (465sqm) of living space, including a private hot tub, a fire pit, a gourmet kitchen and a private fitness centre.

Bodega Bay Lodge

Courtesy of Bodega Bay Lodge / Expedia

If you’re after the wild beauty and romance of the Sonoma Coast’s rugged shoreline, you’ll want to stay at the Bodega Bay Lodge. A stone’s throw from the hotel you can stroll along two miles of beach, spot whales in the Pacific Ocean, and take note of rare birds on a coastal bird walk. After a day spent exploring, retreat back to the lodge and enjoy its infinity-edge hot tub and relaxing spa, before heading to the fireside lounge. For an authentic experience, enjoy local seafood from its on-site restaurant, Drakes Sonoma Coast.

The Lodge at Tiburon

Courtesy of the Lodge at Tiburon / Expedia

Get acquainted with the rustic charm of Marin County at this upscale lodge in a sailing town on the Tiburon Peninsula. The Marin hotel is set in three acres (1.2ha), there are 103 rooms and suites, of which most have private balconies or patios overlooking the town. There is also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, alongside relaxing fireside lounge spaces. For a taste of Marin County, visit the on-site gastropub Tiburon Tavern, which serves up coastal cuisine, such as Pacific salmon with herbed couscous and white wine mussels.

Waters Edge Hotel

Courtesy of Waters Edge Hotel / Expedia

There’s a good reason behind the name of this boutique hotel in Marin: indeed, it is perched on a historic dock, right on the water’s edge in the town of Tiburon. It’s not just the location that offers guests the opportunity to unwind – there’s a cosy fireplace in each of the 23 rooms, a delicious breakfast of pastries, bagels and fruit that is delivered each morning, as well as a complimentary wine reception on the deck each evening. Fancy exploring Tiburon? Borrow one of the hotel bikes and cruise around its charming streets.

Cavallo Point

Courtesy of Cavallo Point / Expedia

You won’t find many better views of the Golden Gate Bridge amid the hotels in Maris than from this lodge in the 82,000-acre (32,000ha) Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Take your pick of either historic or contemporary lodgings, safe in the knowledge that all rooms come with a view: the restored historic rooms have scenic city views, while the modern suites and rooms showcase the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Enjoy hiking, running, biking and kayaking, before tucking into a meal at the Farley Bar – where you’ll, once again, soak up the surrounding sights.

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