This curated bucket list for teens is packed with things to do in Mill Valley, North Bay, and San Francisco. Find an idea that resonates with you, grab your friends, and go. Happy summer!
Where would you like to go?
In MILL VALLEY…
Hike with donuts from Bob’s. Grab a friend, pick up Bob’s Donuts, and hike or bike out to Tennessee Valley for a picnic. While you are there try Bob’s Donut Challenge.
Listen to live music at Sweetwater. Rally some friends to watch live music at Sweetwater Music Hall.
Jump in a local pool or swim hole. Plan a pool day at MVCC or Homestead, or have an adventure with friends at Three Wells (a swim hole located in the creek about 100 yards below the parking lot at Cascade Falls).
Walk the famous Dipsea Trail. Follow the Dipsea Trail from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach and take the 61 bus back for free. Note: all youth ride Marin public transport for free this summer - no need to get a pass. If you’re in high school, show the driver your school ID.
Go thrifting in Mill Valley. Check out local thrift shops that sell clothes for teens: Diamonds in the Rough (on Miller Ave) and Vintage Ruse at the Junktion (new! in Tam Junction next to Bob’s Donuts).
Green your bedroom at Sloat. Add a plant to your bedroom from Sloat Gardens.
Explore our local farmer’s markets. Make a salad or snack with fresh produce from a local farmers market:
Every Sat from 9:30am - 2:30pm: Fog Hill Farm’s organic produce stand at 106 Lovell Ave - behind Old Mill School. Email Jon Price (jwpricester@gmail.com) to get his emails about what he’s selling each week.
Every Friday from 9:30am - 2:30pm: MV Farmers Market in CVS Parking Lot off Blithedale.
Go to a teen event at Tam Junktion. Bring your friends to an upcoming event at Vintage Ruse at Tam Junktion. In their rear hangout space, they host Trivia Nights, Open Mic Nights, bike tune-ups, arts and crafts, sewing machine projects, yoga, and more!
Explore a new Mt Tam trail. Open a map of Mt. Tam, close your eyes, and randomly point to a trail to explore with friends or family.
Check out non-books from the MV library! Get creative or adventurous by borrowing from the Mill Valley library a Make It Take It Kit - options include a sewing machine, weaving loom, telescope, microscope, bongo drum, ukulele, go-pro camera, and Arduino! Someone 16+ needs to officially check out these items but they can be used with care by all ages.
Get moving at the MV community center. Check out the gym and/or fitness classes at the Mill Valley Community Center.
Swim laps at dusk at Tam High’s pool. This summer evening lap swim hours are Mondays from 7-8:30pm and Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from 7:30-9pm. Morning lap swimming is also available on Saturdays from 7-10am and weekdays from 5:30-7am. Closed for the July 4th holiday.
Go out to a movie with friends - check out what’s playing at the Sequoia Theater in downtown Mill Valley.
Make a Hole in One @ MV Golf - Get 1 to 3 friends to play a 9-hole round of golf (or 6-holes of putt putt!) with you at the Mill Valley Golf Course. It’s best to book a tee time by calling 415-888-2690. [Teens allowed without adults if responsible, respectful, and can independently golf.]
Play tennis under the lights - grab a racket and some friends and play under the stars at Boyle Park.
Find more ideas by specific date! Check out Mill Valley Unplugged’s curated calendar of local unplugged events!
In the NORTH BAY…
Get a boba. Walk, bike or drive to ALOH-O in Strawberry or Teaspoon in Corte Madera.
Enjoy live music. Grab friends and watch some live music at: The Lost Church in Santa Rosa or Hopmonk in Novato.
Bike around Angel Island. Take the ferry to Angel island and BYO bike to explore the island.
Find summer heat at a swimming pool a tad north. Organize a pool day with family or friends at Marinwood (San Rafael), McNears Beach Park Swimming Pool (San Rafael), Terra Linda pool (San Rafael), College of Marin (Novato), or Hamilton Pool (Novato).
Bike to Sausalito’s local beach. Grab some friends and a towel and head to Schoonmaker Beach in Sausalito. Or catch a ride and BYO paddle board, kayak or floaties!
Organize a bonfire at Muir Beach. Snag an available fire ring and enjoy the sunset!
Hike down to Muir Woods and explore the trails and redwoods.
Get thinkin’ at College of Marin. Take a class at College of Marin and explore a new topic or interest!
Take the 61 bus to Stinson or Bolinas Beach. Spend the day with friends or family surfing and boogie boarding. The 61 bus runs between Mill Valley and Stinson/Bolinas.
Seek thrills at Six Flags. Carpool with friends and spend a day at Six Flags, a 45 minute drive without traffic.
Find some fresh produce from a local farmers market:
Every Thursday from 8am - 1pm: Northgate Mall starting June 29
Every Thursday from 8am - 1pm: San Rafael Civic Center through June 29
Every Sunday from 8am - 1pm: San Rafael Civic Center - except week of July 2 when it will be at the Northgate Mall.
Go thrifting Check out some good finds at Sugar, Bloom, Emma’s Shop, Willow Grove, and Encore in Marin, and Opera House Collective in Petaluma.
Bike to Kirby Cove. BYO picnic and enjoy the view at Kirby Cove.
Explore Marin by bus and train for FREE. See what fun destinations you can get to by bus (e.g., the Marin City shopping center, the Northgate shopping mall/movies) since it’s free this summer for youth. Build a route and get exploring! Marin Transit, SMART train, Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa city bus, and Petaluma transit.
Bike from Blackie’s Pasture to downtown Tiburon, enjoying the view along the bay.
Play mini golf at McInnis Park Golf Center. They also have a full golf course and batting cages.
Find more ideas by specific date! Check out Mill Valley Unplugged’s curated calendar of local unplugged events!
In SF…
Ferry directly to a Giants game. Take the ferry from Larkspur directly to a Giants game this summer.
Try roller skating in SF at the Church of 8 Wheels.
Sip tea and savor Japanese gardens. Enjoy a cup of tea in the beautiful gardens of SF’s Japanese Tea Garden
Ride a ferry to SF’s ferry building. Take the Golden Gate ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco’s ferry building! Wander the ferry building and find macarons, exotic cheese, books, and other goodies. A close walk away is the spectacular Exploratorium.
Go thrifting on Haight Street. Several thrift shops are near each other: Held Over, Buffalo Exchange, Indigo Vintage, Goodwill, Second St.
Do an Urban Adventure Quest. Get a group of 2-5 friends and complete this scavenger hunt that takes you through the city!
Be a tourist for the day at Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39. Take the Blue and Gold ferry from Sausalito to Pier 41 (right by Pier 39) and visit the old-school arcade, the infinite mirror maze, snack on a mix of candy, climb the musical stairs, visit the 7D experience, watch the sea lions bark, and eat clam chowder in a bread bowl!
Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy the views and some people watching.
Go bowling. Check out the newly renovated Presidio Bowl and grab lunch or dinner!
See a show in the city. From ballet to music to musicals, check out this list of upcoming productions.
Paddle around Stow Lake. Grab some friends and rent paddle boats at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.
Explore Ghiradelli. Packed with unique shops, an arcade, mini-golf, and GamedayVR. Top it off with an ice-cream sundae. Then walk 2 blocks and snap some pics in Umbrella Alley.
Explore Chrissy Field for the day. Meander along the paths by the bay, and take a break for a snack at the warming hut. Go climbing at Movement (formerly Planet Granite) or jump and play dodgeball at House of Air.
Explore the Presidio Tunnel Tops. The new tunnel tops is a great afternoon adventure for all ages! And during the summer there are tons of delicious pop up food options.
Take a tour of Alcatraz Island via this ferry and tour service provider from San Francisco. See where Al Capone was imprisoned. They also provide a night tour!
