Horse Hill Preserve

The herd of horses grazing peacefully on Horse Hill is a beloved Mill Valley landmark.

Rangers Recommend

Enjoy observing the fourteen horses that live on Horse Hill, which is leased by the Alto Bowl Horseowners Association. Do not feed or approach the horses.
Climb to the top of Horse Hill Fire Road. On a clear day you can see views of Mount Tam, the Tiburon Peninsula, and San Francisco Bay.
In winter, seasonal springs run on the south slope.
The Hill is a favorite field trip for local schools, introducing kids to Marin's agricultural traditions.
Travel through to the Alto Bowl Preserve and points beyond.
Dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

Naturalist Notes

In spring, look for lupine, blue-eyed grass, and Douglas iris wildflowers.
Circling overhead are raptors, including American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, and northern harrier, who feed on a healthy population of voles.

Activities

Bike

Dogs Voice Control

Dogs On Leash

Hike

Horseback Riding

Know Before You Go

Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property.
Be courteous and safety conscious when sharing roads and trails. Go slow and say hello [External].
Dress appropriately for the weather. Trails can be muddy during rainy season.
Bring water.
There are no restrooms at this location.
Steer clear of poison oak.
After an outing, check for ticks.

A hilltop horse pasture connecting central Marin communities

Directions

East access: from Hwy 101 in Mill Valley, take the exit for E Blithedale Ave east. Turn right onto Tower Dr, right onto Plaza Dr, veer left on Plaza, right onto Lomita Dr, and follow to end (dead end).

West access: Same as above, except MCOSD gate is on the right, before Lomita Dr ends.

Parking

Street parking only. Please be respectful of local residents.

Public Transit

You can also dial 511 to find out about transit options from your location.

Map

Enter your location

37.908481

-122.515014

All visitors must respect rules to keep the preserves safe and sustainable.

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ALL VISITORS

No smoking or fires.
Weapons and hunting prohibited.
Motorized vehicles prohibited. (Individuals with qualified disabilities may operate certain kinds of zero-emission mobility devices on some roads,multiuse trails, and certain other facilities.)
Everyone must yield the right-of-way to horses. Bikes must also yield to pedestrians.
No model airplanes, drones, or other self-propelled crafts.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
Dispose of waste properly. Pack it out.
All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

Dogs may be off-leash on fire roads only if kept under voice control. Leash must always be readily available.
Dogs are allowed on signed trails and must be leashed. Leash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Individuals accompanying dogs are required to clean up and remove pet waste.
A maximum of 3 dogs per person is allowed. No commercial dog walking permitted in this preserve.

BIKES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/bikes.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Speed limit is 15 mph or less. Must slow to 5 mph when passing others or around blind turns.
Electric bicycles are not permitted.

HORSES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/horses.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited except when watering or resting the horse.

In an emergency, call 911. To report an incident or suspicious activity, call the Ranger Field Office at 415-473-2816 or submit an Incident Report.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying all Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) regulations. Citations will be issued for violations. Read the official regulations: Marin County Municipal Code Appendix A.

Call 415-473-6387 for more information regarding allowable types and use of mobility devices for people with qualified disabilities.

The MCOSD is a special district pursuant to the California Public Resources Code. Marin County Parks oversees the management of the county parks system and provides public information on behalf of the MCOSD.

Some say it's the horses that saved Horse Hill

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COAST MIWOK

Archeologists have found evidence of Native American Coast Miwok camps in this area. Nearby marshlands provided the people with fish and edible plants.

SPANISH LAND GRANT

In 1834, José Figueroa, governor of Alta California, granted 7,845-acre Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio to European settler John Reed. In 1836, Reed married Hilaria Sanchez, daughter of the commandant of the Presidio.

TENANT DAIRIES

The children of John Reed inherited the property, which was leased to tenant dairy ranchers. A dairy census for 1935 through 36 recorded 113 cows on the ranch, producing milk and other products sold in San Francisco.

POST WWII DEVELOPMENT

In 1961, Marin Capital Company proposed to build 900 homes on Alto Bowl, and 1,200 apartments on Horse Hill. The plans were turned back by strong local opposition led by resident Aline McClain, an early advocate for open space preservation. In 1982, different developers again proposed building homes on the property. This project was stalled when the City of Mill Valley declared a building moratorium.

PUBLIC OWNERSHIP

In 1974, the Marin County Regional Park District purchased 18 acres in this area. Another purchase in 1985 added 19 acres. When the City of Mill Valley building moratorium expired in 1988, a Save Horse Hill Committee raised donations from 5,000 people, to help buy the remaining 34 acres on Horse Hill. The property was sold for $2.4 million, contributed by the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD), the City of Mill Valley, the Marin Community Foundation, and the thousands of local citizens. MCOSD acquired an additional 16 acres in 1990.