Mt Tamalpais Loop — Mill Valley

About this drive

East Peak summit, then back down through Pantoll. Bay views the whole way. Fog ceiling sits around 1,500ft most mornings — climb above it and you get the cloud-sea effect over the Bay Area. Clockwise gives you the better cambers on the descent through Panoramic Highway. The Pantoll station has the only restrooms on the route and a beautiful trail-map kiosk.

Recommended stops

viewpoint

East Peak Parking

Mile 9.4

SF + Golden Gate panorama. Coin-op telescope if you really want the touristy moment.

rest

Pantoll Station

Mile 14.1

Restrooms, trail map, picnic tables. Halfway-stop for stretch + photos.

photo spot

Panoramic Highway

Mile 18.7

Long sweeping descent. The post-card shot is the second pull-out south of the gate.

Photographers on this route

Recent drivers

8 community logs

Reviews

Ranked by frequency driven and photos contributed — never by speed.

J

Jess Tanaka

@cruise_jess · 2023 Acura NSX Type S

★★★★★

Climbed above the fog ceiling around mile 6 — cloud sea over the entire Bay. Wild. The descent through Panoramic is the cleanest sweepers in the Bay Area.

5/23/2026

K

Kai Lindgren

@overland_kai · 2022 Toyota 4Runner

★★★★☆

Tam in the 4Runner with a coffee at Pantoll is my idea of a perfect Saturday morning. Quiet, scenic, no drama.

5/17/2026

R

Riley Park

@track_riley · 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

★★★★★

East Peak parking is the best free view in the Bay Area. Bring a jacket — drops 15° at the summit.

5/11/2026

M

Marco Reyes

@drift_marco · 2002 Nissan Silvia S15

★★★★☆

Fog burned off by 9 the day I went. Locals will pass aggressively — let them, they live here, they know the road.

5/3/2026

Conditions & tips