San Anselmo Open Space

04/24/2026

Faudé Park Walk’n’talk on May 9th
The San Anselmo Open Space Committee is sponsoring a series of walk’n’talks to introduce people to our open space preserves. The next event in the series is C. Fredrick Faudé Park, a 16-acre hilltop park just across Drake from Archie Williams High School. Acquired by the Town of San Anselmo in 1973 and maintained by the San Anselmo Open Space Committee, the park is little known even to longtime residents. Come discover the trails and spectacular views, led by Open Space Committee member and local historian Brian Crawford. Learn who Faudé was, the history of the land, “D Hill”, and the proposal to make it a n**e park.
Meet at 10 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the corner of Tomahawk Drive and Alice Way. Park along Tomahawk Drive. Wear footwear suitable for hiking, which includes a flight of steps. A hat and water are recommended. Suitable for children but not strollers. Dogs can come if they are on leash.
For more information, contact Brian Crawford at 415-407-5776.

03/17/2026

Your San Anselmo Open Space Committee is sponsoring the next in our series of walk'n'talks to introduce you to our open space preserves.

This one is short, easy, and suitable for families with kids and dogs on leashes. Led by SAOSC volunteer Jamie Mackie, we will hike the Dean Nyberg Trail to Rock Fort and learn something of the history of the traIl, as well as recognize a few key figures that helped make the trail what it is today.

Meet at the trailhead for the Sorich Trail in the parking lot of Sorich Ranch Park at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The walk is 0.8 miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation gain. It should take about 20 minutes each way. Additional time will be allotted at the Rock Fort to allow kids to play.

Easy-to-moderate terrain and activity level. Dirt tread. Much of the trail is out in the sun, so bring suitable footware, a hat, sunscreen, and water. This trail can be found on several online trail platforms. These online platforms typically show the trail continuing beyond the Rock Fort up to Ridgewood Fire Road. We will not continue beyond the Rock Fort.

03/02/2026

On February 28, 2026, committee member Ken Husband led a walk'n'talk introducing members of the public to 11 of the 37 SLTs (stairs, lanes, and trails) the committee has helped to preserve and protect around the town. The turnout was great, and we had a lovely warm day in the mid-70s. Watch for our next walk'n'talk near the end of March.

02/09/2026

The San Anselmo Open Space Committee presents:

A Guided Walk of Neighborhood SLTs and Faude Park
9AM on Saturday, February 28th.

Meet: Town Hall Lawn - Sugarfoot Deer

Led by committee member Ken Husband.

Enjoy a nature walk through San Anselmo's neighborhoods with a special focus on nine of our Stairs, Lanes and Trails (SLTs). Meet at San Anselmo's Town Hall Center at the Sugarfoot Deer. This is a 5-mile easy to moderate neighborhood walk with 400 feet of elevation gain. Enjoy nine of San Anselmo's SLTs, including bridges and historical lanes you may not have known existed! We will also make a pass through Faude Park with spectacular views of the Ross Valley.

The walk will be approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with time to learn about our town's SLTs.

01/14/2026

The San Anselmo Open Space Committee presents a free
Historical Walking Tour of the Memorial Ridge Trail
10:00 AM on Saturday, January 31, 2026

Meet at the American Legion Log Cabin in Memorial Park.

In 2019 the San Anselmo Open Space Committee opened the Memorial Ridge Trail connecting the town’s two largest parks, Memorial and Sorich. Join the man who led that project, Open Space volunteer and local author and lecturer Brian Crawford, on a gentle loop walk to see this beautiful trail. He will describe the history of the area and the fifteen-year project to build the trail. The walk is 1.2 miles long with 280 feet of elevation gain. It is a relatively easy walk and suitable for school-age children and fit elders, though it includes several flights of steps. Dogs are not permitted on part of the trail. Water and a hat are recommended.

12/10/2025

11/09/2025

Pictures from Brian Crawford's history walk'n'talk up Red Hill last week. It was a beautiful day for a walk and absorbing some history of our town.

10/19/2025

November 1st History Walk’n’Talk on Red Hill
Sponsored by the San Anselmo Open Space Committee

Everybody sees Red Hill every day, looming over the Hub, but have you ever checked out the views from the top? For the last seventy years Red Hill was overgrown and nearly inaccessible. In 2018, the San Anselmo Open Space Committee built an easy trail to the top, re-opening access to the historic spot.

Come climb the hill with local historian, author, and lecturer Brian Crawford, a volunteer with the San Anselmo Open Space committee, who created the new trail. Learn the history of Red Hill from its origin as a Jurassic submarine volcano to its use as a property corner for three huge Mexican land grants. Hear about “Dubois’ Folly,” the old dirt road up the hill and why it was only used once. Learn about the hotel and tramway that was planned for the top. View historic photographs. And, finally, once at the summit, enjoy the views of the Ross Valley from Fairfax to Ross and across San Rafael to Mount Diablo. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic afterwards.

What: The trail is one and a half miles round trip, with 400 feet of elevation gain. The grade is generally gentle and suitable for moderately fit adults and children. Dogs are permitted off leash if they are under voice control. Rain will cancel the event.

When: 10 AM, Saturday, November 1, 2025. We should be done between noon and 1 PM.

Where: At the trailhead behind Westamerica Bank, 834 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, in Red Hill Shopping Center. Park in the shopping center parking lot or the lot for Red Hill Dog Park at the end of Shaw Drive.

Bring: Clothes, shoes, and a hat suitable for hiking. Bring water. Layers if it’s cool. Lunch if you want to picnic.

The event is free.

05/31/2025

Tonight: Great food and Marin history. What a story!

05/30/2025

What a story! Come hear Brian Crawford discuss The San Rafael or "Fairfax-Bolinas Road: The History Of One Of Marin's Most Scenic Roads. This Saturday!