Matt Davis Trail

This is one of my two favorite hikes in the bay area! I have done it many times. This has been reviewed many times, so I’m not going to rave endlessly about it (though I could) and instead just jump into my «pro tips»:
1. I see people walking this trail uphill. They are clearly masochists. They are covered in sweat and look like they are in severe pain. If you want the world’s most intense workout, sure you could start at Stinson Beach and walk up to Pan Toll. And then return. But, uh, that’s nuts. I like to do the «downhill-​only» version, which is STILL a very good lower body workout by the way. Here’s the best way to do it.
2. Drive to Stinson Beach and park. Take the bus (Marin Transit 61) up to Pan Toll Ranger Station.
ASK THE DRIVER to be sure he is going to Pan Toll. Also read the schedule very carefully because some of the times are for peak season only (March through October). Price is $ 2 for adults and $ 1 for children and seniors. Cash only. Exact change only.
3. Now you can walk from Pan Toll downhill to Stinson Beach following the Matt Davis trail. It’s about 4 miles, but it’s not exactly all downhill nor is it even so expect to get the equivalent of about 6 «flat miles» worth of workout on your legs and stabilizer muscles.
4. This hike takes you through a variety of terrains: forest, streams, fields, breath-​taking ocean views, more forest switch-​backs, and ultimately drops you down at the beach where you can walk around or plop down and soak up some rays.
5. Personal opinion: avoid weekends. Avoid peak season. Avoid days when the weather report has been very promising-​looking for a day or two at Stinson Beach. Why? Because sometimes the traffic backs up for 45 minutes — 1 hour to get into Stinson Beach. Yikes. I almost want to deduct a star for that, it’s so annoying. ALSO, during peak season it’s almost impossible to find parking in the lots (or, um, anywhere). I sometimes get lucky just crawling around and zipping into something that opens up… but I mostly just avoid those times.
6. Bring lunch (or a snack, or whatever) and wait until after you clear the first ¹⁄₃ of the trail — AFTER you get out of the woods. There is a beautiful spot on top of a hill where you get the most amazing 360 degree panorama view. It’s perfect to eat /​drink /​rest for awhile. Clean up after yourself; take all your trash with you.
7. About ²⁄₃ or ¾ of the way down after you re-​enter the woods (for awhile) you will come across a GIANT slab of rock that is off to the side of the trail a bit. We dub this «The Secret Rock», though it probably has a real name that we don’t know about. If you find the hidden way around it, there’s a stone plateau with a REALLY beautiful view of the beaches and coastline below. I usually pause here for 5 — 10 minutes, take a breather, and just listen to the waves.
8. My five year-​old daughter and I just did this hike. She did the whole thing (4 miles, this downhill version) without assistance! So yes I’m going to say it’s kid-​friendly.
9. Bring a flashlight if you’re starting in the afternoon to be on the safe side. The last sections have a LOT of tree cover and once I got caught out there at dusk and completely overestimated the visibility AND my night-​vision capabilities. Moon or no moon, with that degree of tree cover it gets PITCH BLACK.
10. The last parts of the trail get crazy overgrown sometimes and you find yourself side-​stepping through plants that are brushing you on both sides regardless. The last time I was there I was convinced I took a wrong turn somewhere, but it was actually the path. Just gets overgrown. Have faith… you’re going the right way! There are actually very few places you could get lost on this trail.
11. The trail (doing it downhill) ends behind the Fire Station. Come out, turn left toward the Fire Station, and turn right on the main road to return to the parking lot.
12. I’m usually starving when I return, and there aren’t too many places in town… but on the beach at the base of the lighthouse is a great little snack bar that is overpriced but serves legitimately tasty treats: burgers, fish tacos, burritos, milkshakes, beer on tap, etc. Maybe because I always just burned a million or so calories but this food always tastes AMAZING to me. :)
Enjoy, be safe, and don’t leave ANY trash on the trail!

Great trail, starts off steep in the beginning and eventually levels off. Suggest using the bathroom before you begin, as the next one isn’t until the halfway point at the Rangers station. Highly recommended, great views of Stinson and saw all sorts of wildlife. Planning on coming back real soon.

Round-​trip hike about 7.5 to 8 miles at Matt Davis trail –beautiful scenery and very steep trail. You go through woods, bridges, forest and see amazing views of the Pacific and SF. Worth a the experience. Do it!!. There was this one chick although, who looked like she was drugged out, she was a trip. Good times!

One of my favorite hikes of all time! Tough little uphill then scenic views and awesome decent through the woods with wooden bridges and waterfalls.

Good hike and scenic views, make for a good weekend outing with friends. The waterfalls are few and lean due to the drought. The mix of forest and grassland keeps the hike interesting. The air is refreshing and the sites pleasing. It’s a bit tiring to begin with for beginners but you tread further there is a sense of enjoyment. Also, interestingly the return hike too is equally enjoyable.

Steep hike up a mountain, but doable even for someone like me, who is in decent but not great shape, and is lugging more than a couple of extra lbs around! The trail is well-​maintained, the views are gorgeous, and the smells are wonderful and invigorating. A+++.
The trail starts behind the fire house in Stinson Beach, btw.

My mom and I did this hike on a foggy morning and the views were still amazing! It is definitely a steep climb up the mountain, so make sure to bring water and snacks. The views are definitely worth the hike!

This trail has it’s ups and downs.
…seriously.
Started from Parkside Café and was all uphill for a solid mile. The final mile was the best part. Had excellent views of both the sea and the mountains.

Loved it! You go through so many different ecosystems on this hike. It’s mellow, and not too intense. Even on a warm day, you will be able to get shade from the forests.
Pet friendly. yes! This is the place to go!

Started from the trailhead near the fire station close to Stinson Beach. Hiked on Matt Davis Trail to the parking lot on Pan Tool Rd. Then went back throuth Steep Ravine Trail and Depsea Trail.
Total 7.8 miles round-​trip, 1500 feet elevation change.
Spectacular view!!!

My sister and I recently did this hike and the view from up top is definitely worth it. About the first hour into the hike, it’s allll incline and very steep. It can be a little challenging if it’s your first hike, but it is not impossible. It’s a mixture of shade and openness, so be sure to pack a hat. March/​April is the best time to go as it isn’t too hot. Arrive early, about 9am would be perfect. It’ll take approximately 3 hours to get to the beach if you start on belvedere st near the fire station.
Things to bring:
Hat, lots of water (I drank 2 bottles), and a light sweater (it can get a bit chili on the way back).

Great trail with a good mixture of forest, chaparral and beautiful views.
It’s not super strenuous unless you decide to go off the trail and go straight up the mountain… or take random trails on the way down to try to get to the beach.
Well worth it.

This hike is a WORK OUT!
If you drink a lot the night before, you will be sweating out alcohol on the trail… trust me! The beginning of Matt Davis get your blood flowing and your heart rate up within the first couple of minutes. It’s all up hill from there, round and round until you get to the top. The views on this trail are spectacular even if the fog rolls in during your hike. About ²⁄₃ of the way through, you’ll come across restrooms and a water fountain before the Steep Ravine trail. Such a beautiful hike!

If it is a sunny day then I highly recommend starting in Stinson Beach and going up the Steep Ravine trail and then going down the Matt Davis trail. It is really beautiful going down the Matt Davis Trail because there are so many amazing views of the Ocean. You will be VERY happy you did this hike if you do it. Enjoy it. Tell me what you thought. This will bring your spirit up for sure.
–ILYA

+ Worth-​the-​hurt glutes & quad workout for sure!
+ Clean sea air
+ Breathtaking views of Stinson Beach
TIPS:
*Note: We came in mid-​February so the weather could vary in different times of the year
–Eat a good breakfast!
–Bring plenty of water & snacks. You WILL get hungry. It’s a fairly strenuous trail.
–Like others mentioned, if you have bad knees, this trail is probably not for you. Going downhill puts a lot of stress on the knees and ankles esp if you are not wearing special hiking shoes.
–Don’t try starting the trail past 10/​11am at the latest. The afternoon fog that rolls in around 1pm WILL GET YOU LOST. You will have a really hard time finding your way to the peak if you start too late and get caught in the FOG OF DEATH
–Wear synthetic fiber clothing esp for your outer layer — no cotton! When the fog rolls in you will collect condensation in your hair, your eyelashes, and your clothing. Cotton will get you pretty damp.
–Be aware that this is a fairly unmarked trail. There are no markers telling you how to get to the summit. If all else fails ask fellow hikers passing by or on their way down which way to go.
–Try to remember landmarks when you are on your way up! We had a hard time getting down because we took a couple of wrong turns as visibility was poor esp in the fog.
–If you want to take pictures of the ocean, do it on the way up BEFORE the fog rolls in. I was banking on taking pictures on the way down… but by that time there was nothing to see!

Beautiful trail. If you time it correctly, you can hike for 3 – 4 hours and come back around in time to watch the sunset at Stinson Beach. Yep, very romantic indeed.
I don’t think there’s much more to say other than bring some water, some friends if you have any, and enjoy Matt Davis!

J and I hiked a portion of the Matt Davis trail (up from Stinson Beach to the Coastal Trail junction) during one of the gorgeous weather weekends SF has been having lately.
I’m glad we went when it was sunny and dry– the first section of the trail is under tree canopy, which, though nice to be shaded when its hot and sunny, can be problematic if the trail is damp/​muddy. The first section of the trail also consists mostly of a bunch of switchbacks as you climb up the hillside, so be prepared for a glute workout.
You get some nice views of Stinson Beach about a third of the way up, and the trees are just lovely.

Why am I Unilocaling a trail that is unable to purchase Unilocal ads and further the Unilocal cause? Because I hiked it, damnit, and I think everyone should know.
The rain has ceased at least temporarily and friends asked me to join them on this trail I’d never before been on. We parked at the Stinson Beach lot and walked over to the trailhead, then spent the next 1 ½ hours hiking upward past beautiful, rushing waterfalls and peek-​a-​boo views of the Pacific. When we’d finally emerged into a steep open field we drank in that view, then turned around and headed back down.
The trail is pretty rigorous (a great workout) with lots of stairs and switchbacks. If you enter from Stinson, you head up, up, up but, until the open field, you’re covered by a well shaded forest of lush greenery. Sweet.
I can think of a lot worse ways to spend a Saturday.
Minus one star though since man’s best friend isn’t allowed on this trail. Who does this Matt Davis think he is?

Matt Davis is 6.7 miles long, making it one of the longest trails on Mt. Tam. Therefore, it is no surprise that the terrain and climate on the trail keeps changing around every turn. For a few minutes, there are redwoods and then chaparral appears out of nowhere. This cycle repeats itself for the first part of the hike. Although the terrain is more consistent later, it still is different from the hike’s beginning.
Matt Davis Trail begins in chaparral near Mountain Home Inn. It then alternates between trees and chaparral for the next few miles, usually by the minute. Also, the trail at this part of the hike is pretty flat so no need to worry if you are not up for a steep hike today. Soon, the Nora trail branches off to the right up to West Point Inn. Then the trail goes through a chaparral covered ridge with great views (provided that the fog did not bother visiting today.) All too soon, Matt Davis trail hits Pantoll.
Here, the terrain becomes more consistent. Matt Davis trail returns to Douglas Fir forest after the brief patch of grassland although there are some more grassland patches. In about 1.5 miles, Matt Davis trail branches off to the left and begins its long descent. Although the descent is steep, it is a nice descent. Large Douglas Firs accompany you the entire way. You will know this nice hike is ending when you see Table Rock. It is a nice rock but be careful because it is known for its rattlesnakes. After Table Rock, the Douglas Firs leave and coastal scrub replaces it. Also, the plants near the creek resemble plants near the ocean now instead of mountain plants. Then the trail reaches a road. The beach is only a short walk from here.
Overall, Matt Davis really does have something for everyone. It goes through all the terrains on Mt. Tam’s Southern side. It is also a good idea to combine the first part with a loop like looping with Troop 80 trail or Old Stage Road. It is possible to combine the Bolinas Ridge part with a loop too. You could loop up Steep Ravine and Dipsea trails to Pantoll.

What a gorgeous hike! It can be cloudy up here so be sure to go on a clear day. If you google Matt Davis Trail you’ll probably find this
and this guy’s info is on the dot!
I ended up taking a more scenic route to the hike trailhead by not going on Panaromic Highway but instead continuing on 1 (aka Shoreline Highway in this area) and then taking a right onto Belvedere St. This allows you to see the ocean view vista points along the way (and the traffic is lighter too ;) ;))
If you go on a clear day in fall, spring, summer, be sure to bring a sports bra as you will be stripping. It gets nice and warm and humid up in the hills and the trail starts out all uphill for 2.2 miles!
**Note** once you’re at the top you will reach a sign (I added photo) TAKE THIS ROUTE TO THE COSTAL TRAIL. Just go down the costal trail for a few minutes and you’ll see the view you hiked all the way up for.
For dinner, I highly recommend Sand Dollar. Their wine service, ambiance, and food were perfect. They also let us split entrees. They had a live musician too.