A trail with beer at the end of it

The Nature Friends Chalet, Mill Valley, CA

A hot, sunny day. You walk a mile through a redwood forest extending up the flanks of Mt Tamalpais. The trail is quiet, carpeted with fallen leaves that muffle your steps. In less than an hour of walking the level trail you come around a bend, and out of the redwoods appears a European style mountain chalet that looks like Hansel and Gretel won the lottery. Welcome to the Nature Friends Alpine Club, where you can sit on the deck, admire the sweeping panorama of the Pacific and Muir Woods, and, even better, order a pint of cold, handmade lager. Yes, these redwoods come with their own brewery!

If you are smart you packed a lunch, which you can enjoy while taking in the stunning view. If you are lucky, you timed your hike for a weekend when the Friends of Nature are getting down with their gemutlicht selves.

The third Sunday of May, July, and September the Nature Friends hire a traditional Bavarian polka band, and literally roll out the barrel. The air is thick with polkas, redolent with grilling knockwurst, and the dance floor is crowded with lederhosen-wearing waltzers. Like the beer, the food is homemade and fresh. Admission for the alpine festivals is $15, otherwise access to the Nature Friends chalet is free.

Directions:
From 101:
Take HWY 1 toward Muir Woods/Stinson Beach
Go approximately 2 miles.
Turn right at fork, on Panoramic Hwy, toward Mt Tam.
In approx 1 mile you will intersect with the Dipsea Trail on the right and the Sun Trail on the left. Park and take the Sun Trail to the Alpine Club. This is a mostly exposed hike through the rolling headlands overlooking the Pacific. You can continue driving another half-mile to Mtn Home. Park in the lot on the left. Walk south on the Panoramic Trail (back the way you came) and turn right on the Redwood Trail. Follow the Redwood Trail to the Alpine Club. You can download a crappy photocopied PDF of trails around the Alpine Club, and click on the Muir Woods National Monument Trail Map link.