The garden favorite dahlia is known for its variety of flower shapes. The annual is classified into 14 groups based on blossom type. They come in all colors except the elusive blue.
Fog rolls in over Lucas Valley at sunset. Also the location of George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch, this 1271 acre preserve includes much of the south-facing slope rising above what is now known as Lucas Valley (historically called Gallinas Valley). The highlight of this preserve is the Big Rock Trail, a multiple-use trail that begins at the crest of Lucas Valley Road (at the ”Big Rock”), and eases its way up to the Big Rock Ridge Fire Road. This trail, opened in 2003, is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It connects with the Loma Alta Trail that ascends the southern half of the valley. Portions of both the Big Rock Trail and the fire road along the ridge are trail easements that cross private property, so pay heed to all trail signs posted along the way. The summit of Big Rock Ridge at 1895 feet is the second highest point in Marin County (after Mount Tamalpais), and views from the top are spectacular.
The Marin Headlands is a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, United States, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two counties and peninsulas. The Marin Headlands were home to the Native American Coastal Miwok tribe, who moved between the bay side of the peninsula and the ocean side seasonally, for thousands of years. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge. In the waters surrounding the Headlands, harbor seals can be found year-round, gray whales can be seen in the spring and fall, and seabirds such as common murres and surf scoters swim within sight of shore.
