Marin Open Studios - Marin County

May, two weekends
Location: Throughout Marin
Why Go There? Meet artists in their studios; enjoy, purchase art; self-guided tour; 260+ artists participate. No cost.
More Information: Marin Open Studios

Bolinas History Museum - Bolinas

Friday 1:00pm-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 48 Wharf Road, downtown
Why Go There? High quality small museum features several galleries: photography, rotating exhibits (focus: West Marin coastal artists), history room: packed with local memorabilia; art receptions, courtyard concerts, annual fundraising cocktail party 4th of July weekend, local artist holiday showcase, other events. Sheltered back courtyard with sculpture/fountain, bench is a pleasant spot to relax, watch birds splash in fountain, enjoy lunch/snacks from market deli a few doors away. No cost museum entrance, donations welcome.
Access: Nearby street parking (limited, especially on weekends); public transportation: West Marin Stagecoach bus
More Information: Bolinas Museum

Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame - Fairfax

Thursday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm (or by appointment)
Location: 1966 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Why Go There? Museum showcases mountain bike history (with it's Marin roots); bicycle history, culture; scheduled bicycle-oriented events; gift shop; senior, student, youth discounts.
Access: Small parking lot; street parking (bicycling encouraged); public transportation
More Information: MMBHOF

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival - Mill Valley

September weekend
Location: Old Mill Park, downtown
Why Go There? 60+ years popular fall arts festival showcases 100+ established artists, variety of media; food vendors; multidisciplinary arts-and-entertainment; snacks. Set in Old Mill Park redwoods (location of mill that gave Mill Valley its name), festival supports fledging student artists/annual scholarship program; senior, student discount (fee admission).
Access: Metered, street parking throughout downtown; designated free parking lots, free shuttle buses running routes; public transportation
More Information: MVFAF

Mill Valley Library - Mill Valley

Daily, except holidays 10:00am-9:00pm Monday-Thursday, Friday 12:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Location: 375 Throckmorton Avenue
Why Go There? Set in grove of redwoods, edge of Old Mill Park (location of the mill that gave Mill Valley its name), features alcove seats in bay windows overlooking the park; welcoming fireplace area displays Mt. Tamalpais oil painting, artisan made furniture; gallery art exhibits; history room contains local memorabilia, resources; events: First Wednesday Marin history talks, 'First Tuesday' art walk, free movie nights.
Access: Street parking; Marin Transit bus, route #17; Golden Gate Transit bus route #4
More Information: Mill Library Valley

O'Hanlon Center for the Arts - Mill Valley

See website schedule
Location: 616 Throckmorton Avenue
Why Go There? Bi-annual juried local artist exhibits, other exhibits, special events, programs in two story gallery space. Founded by artist/art professors Ann, Dick O'Hanlon, exhibits focus: experimentation, exploration, artistic growth.
Access: Street parking (daytime meters); Marin Transit bus, route #17; Golden Gate Transit bus route #4
More Information: O’Hanlon Center + Facebook

Gravity Car Barn - Mt. Tamalpais State Park

Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00 pm (pending staffing availability)
Location: Mt. Tamalpais summit, adjacent to the (fee) parking lot, East Peak
Why Go There? Recreated Gravity Car, interpretive display, memorabilia highlight history of a popular steam train and gravity cars that once glided down from the top of Mt. Tamalpais to Muir Woods on tracks of what was called "the crookedest railroad". On clear days, enjoy views down to the ocean, across the bay and parts of Marin. A number of trails start from the (fee) parking lot, including one to the base of the fire tower lookout; restrooms; seasonal visitor center (staffed by Friends of Mt. Tam volunteers, as is the Gravity Car Barn) has maps, gifts.
More Information: Gravity Car Barn

Marin Museum of the American Indian - Novato

Friday-Sunday 12:30pm-4:00pm, or by appointment
Location: 2200 Novato Boulevard
Why Go There? Situated on 35 acre Miwok Park, site of former Coast Miwok tribe settlement, museum offers occasional exhibits, events; discount seniors, children. Telephone: 415-897-4064
More Information: Marin Indian

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) & Open Studios - Novato

Wednesday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
MarinMOCA Open Studios: monthly first Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm
Location: 500 Palm Drive: Novato Art Center, Hamilton Field
Why Go There? Changing exhibits every six weeks; juried works, variety of media, emerging Bay Area artists; opening receptions, store. Housed in 1930's Spanish architecture-style former military base; surrounded by 40+ artist studios, three buildings. Free admittance. MarinMOCA Open Studios: see artists in action. Novato Art Center cafe, Beso Bistro: open for brunch, lunch, dinner; indoor, outdoor patio seating, Tuesday-Sunday (not curator reviewed).
Access: Drive, parking
More Information: MarinMOCA + Beso Bistro

Point Reyes Open Studios - Point Reyes Station

Memorial, Thanksgiving holiday weekends
Location: (see website for self-guided open studios map)
Why Go There? Twice yearly open studio weekends provide art enthusiasts opportunity to meet artists, watch demonstrations, purchase works; variety of studios/artist home settings, media; don't miss highly regarded participant artist Tom Killion meticulously created woodcut art prints, books.
Access: Drive
More Information: Point Reyes Art + Artist Tom Killion

Imagination Park - San Anselmo

Location: 535 San Anselmo Avenue (downtown, next to City Hall)
Why Go There? Displays the world's only Indiana Jones statue, and a Yoda statue. The park, life-sized bronze statues were gifts from Marin resident George Lucas.

Sausalito Arts Festival - Sausalito

Labor Day Weekend
Location: 2201 Marinship Way: Marinship Park
Why Go There? Longstanding annual competitive juried festival; attracts thousands of visitors; varied visual art forms, crafts; big name entertainment, three stages (jazz, folk, swing, blues, classical, pop music artists); food/beer, wine, spirits, other beverages offered by non-profit organizations; special off-site exhibits. Fundraising gala/festival preview Friday evening. Senior, youth entrance fee discount.
Access: Paid parking lots; free valet bicycle parking, cycle shop; public transportation (bus and ferry boat): Golden Gate Transit; Blue and Gold Fleet
More Information: Sausalito Art Festival

Additional Resources

Marin Agriculture Land Trust - Marin
Annual art show

Mill Valley Library - Mill Valley
Art lectures; open to the public

Marin Art & Garden Center - Ross
Gardens, studio art events