Every month I check a bunch of websites to see what’s happening in Marin, and it’s amazing to me how much you can do around here for free! If you’re interested in guided hikes, outdoor events, music, theater, lectures and book clubs, you’ll find all that listed below.
For this list, I’ve chosen events that are ideal for an adult on their own. Also, the list excludes events that are free but encourage you to purchase something (like farmers’ markets, authors talking about new releases, or live music at a restaurant).
Guided Hikes
- Sat 8/2 – Nature Hike
- 9am-10:30am at Deer Island Open Space Preserve (2 miles)
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Mon 8/4 – Estero Trail
- 10am-2pm at Point Reyes National Seashore (4 miles)
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Tue 8/19 – Limantour
- 10am-2pm at Point Reyes National Seashore (3 miles)
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sun 8/24 – Senior Stroll: Santa Margarita Island
- 10am-11:30am at Indian Tree Preserve (0.3 miles)
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED (currently full but wait list available)
- Sun 8/31 – Plant Galls
- 9am-12pm at Mount Burdell Preserve (2 miles)
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED (currently full but wait list available)
Other Outdoor Events
In addition to the events listed below, you can find one-time volunteer events through Marin County Parks, One Tam, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Conservancy, and Friends of China Camp.
- Sun 8/3 – Yoga at the Beach
- 9am-10am at McNears Beach Park
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/2 – Nike Missile Site Veteran Open House
- 12pm-3pm at Marin Headlands
- For more information, visit the event page from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Conservancy.
- Sun 8/3 – Battery Townsley Open House
- 12pm-4pm at Marin Headlands
- For more information, visit the event page from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Conservancy.
- Sat 8/9 – Juice with a Ranger
- 1pm-2:30pm at Indian Valley Preserve
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- Sat 8/16 – Juice with a Ranger
- 9am-10:30am at Deer Island Preserve
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- Sat 8/17 – Yoga at the Beach
- 9am-10am at McNears Beach Park
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/23 – Meet Wildlife with WildCare
- 11am-12:30pm at Stafford Lake Park
- For more information, visit the event page from Marin County Parks.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Music & Theater
- Saturdays and Sundays, 8/9, 8/10, 8/16, 8/17, 8/23, 8/24, 8/30, 8/31 – The Curtain Theatre performs Shakespeare’s As You Like It
- 2pm at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley
- For more information, visit the event page from Curtain Theatre.
- Sun 8/10 – Josh Zee and Friends
- 6pm at Sweetwater Music Hall (doors open at 5pm)
- For more information, visit the event page from Sweetwater Music Hall.
- Sun 8/17 – Mari Mack & Livin’ Like Kings: Blues for Brunch
- 1pm at Sweetwater Music Hall
- For more information, visit the event page from Sweetwater Music Hall.
- Sun 8/24 – Marin Bluegrass Sessions
- 12pm at Sweetwater Music Hall
- For more information, visit the event page from Sweetwater Music Hall.
Lectures & Presentations
- Fri 8/1 – 25 Years Behind the Curtain
- 7pm-9pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/2 – Making the Best Use of Your Irrigation System
- 1pm-2:30pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/2 – Marin Poetry Center’s Traveling Show
- 2pm-3pm at Fairfax Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Tue 8/5 – Backyard Birds and Bird Habitats
- 11am-12pm at Fairfax Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Wed 8/6 – AI, Privacy & Security with Bridget Burke
- 11am-12pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Wed 8/6 – Sentinel of the Golden Gate: The Art History of Mount Tamalpais, with Christian Jordan
- 6:30pm-8pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED (currently full but wait list available)
- Sat 8/9 – Marin Poetry Center’s Traveling Show
- 2pm-3pm at Larkspur Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the City of Larkspur.
- Sat 8/9 – Old Growth Trees and Low-Intensity Fire: A Love Story
- 3pm-4pm at Fairfax Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Tue 8/12 – Preparing the Garden for Autumn
- 11:30am-12:30pm at the Belvedere Tiburon Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Belvedere Tiburon Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Tue 8/12 – Art Talk: The Language of Flowers in Asian Art
- 12pm-1pm at San Anselmo Town Council Chambers
- For more information, visit the event page from the Town of San Anselmo.
- Thu 8/14 – Exploring the Great Classical Ballets: Romeo and Juliet
- 11am-12pm at the Belvedere Tiburon Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Belvedere Tiburon Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Thu 8/14 – Marin Master Gardeners: Succulents with Gary Bartl
- 6:30pm-7:30pm at Fairfax Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Mon 8/18 – Marin Master Gardeners: Rethinking the Lawn
- 1pm-2pm at San Anselmo Town Council Chambers
- For more information, visit the event page from the Town of San Anselmo.
- Wed 8/20 – Marin Master Gardeners: Native Ground Covers
- 12pm-1:30pm at Civic Center Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Wed 8/20 – Omnioids: What’s Walking Into Our Homes? with Bridget Burke
- 4pm-5pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/23 – What’s Wrong with this Plant?
- 1pm-2:30pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Sat 8/23 – Saturday Cinema: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
- 2:30pm-4pm at Novato Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Sun 8/24 – Marin Poetry Center’s Traveling Show
- 2pm-3:30pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Mill Valley Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Book Clubs
All of these books are available (as book, ebook, and audiobook) through the Marin County Free Library.
- Sat 8/2 – Book Circle
- The book: Redeployment by Phil Klay
- 11am-12pm at Belvedere Tiburon Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Belvedere Tiburon Library.
- Wed 8/6 – Mystery Book Club
- The book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- 4pm-5pm at Larkspur Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the City of Larkspur.
- Mon 8/11 – Let’s Talk About Books
- Bring your own!
- 4:30pm-5:30pm at Inverness Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Tue 8/12 – Fairfax Tuesday Book Club
- The book: Bel Canto by Ann Pratchett
- 11am-12pm at Fairfax Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Wed 8/13 – Wednesday Book Club
- The Book: Heartwood by Amity Gaige
- 4pm at Larkspur Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the City of Larkspur.
- Thu 8/14 – Civic Center Morning Mystery Book Club
- The book: Black Diamond: A Mystery of the French Countryside by Martin Walker
- 11am-12pm at Civic Center Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Thu 8/14 – Romance Book Club
- The book: It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
- 6:30pm-7:30pm at Mill Valley Public Library
- For more information, visit the event page from Mill Valley Public Library.
- REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- Tue 8/19 – Stinson Beach Book Club
- The book: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
- 6pm-7pm at Stinson Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Thu 8/21 – Civic Center Afternoon Book Club
- The book: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
- 1pm-2pm at Civic Center Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Thu 8/21 – Novato Thursday Evening Mystery Book Club
- The book: The Golden Gate by Amy Chua
- 6:30pm-7:30pm at Novato Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
- Fri 8/22 – Book Lovers Club
- For book suggestions from library staff
- 10am-11am at San Anselmo Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Town of San Anselmo.
- Wed 8/27 – Novato Wednesday Evening Book Club
- The book: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
- 6:30pm-7:30pm at Novato Library
- For more information, visit the event page from the Marin County Free Library.
Do you know of any free events that should be included in this list? If so, please add them to the comments. Happy exploration!
