Bolinas Ridge facts for kids
Bolinas Ridge is a long, narrow hill (called a ridge) located in southwestern Marin County, California. It runs from north to south. A large part of the western side of this ridge is protected as parkland within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The eastern side is important land that collects water for the Marin Municipal Water District.
What is Bolinas Ridge Like?
Bolinas Ridge runs right next to a part of the famous San Andreas Fault. From the ridge, you can see amazing views! Imagine looking out over trees, open fields, gentle hills, and sparkling water bodies like Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay. You can also see the Olema Valley and the vast Pacific Ocean.
At its southern end, the ridge starts near the town of Stinson Beach. It rises quickly from about 400 feet (120 meters) to over 1,900 feet (580 meters) at its highest point. A road called West Ridgecrest Road follows the southern part of the ridge. From this road, you can see lakes and rolling hills to the east, and the ocean to the west. Sometimes, thick fog rolls in from the ocean, making it hard to see anything!
Plants and Trees on the Ridge
Long ago, in the late 1800s, many of the huge, old Coast redwood trees on Bolinas Ridge were cut down. They were shipped out through Bolinas Lagoon. But don't worry! New redwood trees have grown back since then, creating beautiful "second-growth" forests in many spots.
Today, Bolinas Ridge is home to many different kinds of plants. Besides the tall redwoods, you'll find groups of Douglas fir trees. There are also areas with mixed bushes and open grassy hillsides. Some parts have hardwood trees, and on the lower slopes, you can find a special type of plant community called maritime chaparral.
This chaparral is home to some rare plants. These include the Marin Manzanita (Arctostaphylos virgata) and Mason's ceanothus (Ceanothus masonii). Mason's ceanothus is so rare that the state of California has listed it as a 'Species of Concern'.
