SUNDAY DRIVE

Mill Valley-Sausalito Path

What you see: The Mill Valley Sausalito Path provides a gateway from Richardson Bay into Bothin Marsh and beyond to the Pickleweed Inlet, Bayfront Field and Hauke Park in Mill Valley. It is a pretty section of the Bay Trail. You pass along bay frontage and enter a pretty marsh and tidal wetlands, with a chance to see a ton of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl arriving for winter. It’s a great walk, with leashed dogs OK, or lowspeed bike ride.

Location: The trailhead for the Mill Valley-Sausalito Path is located in north Sausalito near the U.S. 101 overpass, with parking available, and extends 3.8 miles into Mill Valley.

Trail makeover: Sections of the path have been renovated this year, good news for cyclists who have faced cracks and gaps in the pavement in spots. The latest section getting a makeover is the short stretch from East Blithedale Avenue to Almonte.

When you get there: In addition to the Pohono Street Park and Ride, there is additional parking nearby, as well as farther south near Mike’s Bikes. Just beyond the western edge of the parking areas, the paved Mill ValleySausalito Path then extends north under the freeway.

Walk, hike, bike: Once you pass under the freeway, you then cross a bridge at Coyote Creek and enter the Bothin Marsh Preserve and its wetlands adjacent to the northern end of Richardson Bay. The path is then routed over another small bridge, where you enter Bayfront Park and extend into Mill Valley.

Cyclists, share the path: This is a popular trail where fast cyclists can ruin the experience for those on foot.

Bothin Marsh: This is a diverse tidal wetlands marsh with a series of inlets, sloughs and flats. The birds you might see change by season, tides and weather, an amazing procession of both migrants and residents. Over time, roughly 125 bird species have been independently verified and photographed.

Rail to trail: The path follows a historic railroad line, abandoned in the 1940s. It was converted in the 1970s to a trail. Cost: Parking, access free.

Trail map: PDF at www.marincountyparks.org. Dogs: Leashed dogs permitted.

Contacts: Marin County Parks and Open Space, (415) 499-6387; field office, (415) 499-6405; www.marincountyparks.org. Mike’s Bikes, Sausalito, (415) 332-3200, www.mikesbikes.com.