Hike, Bike, Bus, or Drive to the Mountain Amphitheatre

Take advantage of the ecologically friendly transportation of a festive yellow bus we affectionately call the Mountain Play Express.

ROUND TRIP SHUTTLE BUS PRICES:
Adults: $10
Youth ages 4-25: $5

OPENING DAY ONLY: Youth ages 4 – 25 are FREE

Purchase round trip bus passes when you board the morning bus. Please note: Shuttles do not make stops between the amphitheatre and shuttle parking lots.

Morning Express shuttles leave roughly every 15 minutes from 10:00am to 12:45pm from two locations in Mill Valley on play dates. At the end of the show you will hop in the Tootsie Pop Line to board a bus going back to both parking lots.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Our protocols will be based on orders from local health departments, and these protocols may change at any time.

Masks are required while on shuttles and when indoors. Masks are recommended while groups are gathered together or when in an enclosed space with other audience members.

Parking is free at either location:

  1. Manzanita Parking Lot, the commuter parking lot located at the junction of Highway 101 and Highway 1, just beyond the Mill Valley/Stinson beach exit off Highway 101. We encourage all users to be aware of the general guidelines such as: do not block access to stalls, bike lockers, transit buses or load zones; do not park in red zones, abide by lot signage, and be aware that users use the lot at their own risk. California Highway Patrol provides parking enforcement and will ticket & tow if the guidelines are violated.

    NOTE    : There is no security and the lot is subject to flooding. Patrons park at their own risk. Vehicles cannot be parked for more than 24 hours. Vehicles may be ticketed or towed by law enforcement for not obeying traffic laws & parking restrictions, such as no parking along red zones or at no parking signs, blocking transit or other vehicles.
  1. Tamalpais High School, opposite the Safeway on Miller Avenue.

For those athletic patrons who want to take the traditional route to or from the theatre, hiking is a beautiful option. Please research the route on your own before you leave in the morning. Consider buying a map of the mountain. A great map to use is “Trails of Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands”, available at Amazon. You can also visit OneTam.Org to find a free downloadable map.

Traditional Hike Down

Many Mountain Play hikers take the bus up to the theatre and then hike down after the show. Your hike down is made easier because the Mountain Play transports your ice chests and other bulky items back to Mill Valley.

We offer a mid-way point pickup, so if you’re tired when you get to the Mountain Home Inn, you can stop there. Refresh yourself with some beverages or a snack, and then catch our Midway shuttle at 6: 30, 6:50, or 7:10 p.m. back to your car. If you’re feeling good and want to walk all the way to Mill Valley, go for it!

Once you reach Mill Valley, pick up your gear and hop on a shuttle back to your parked car at Tamalpais High or Manzanita Park and Ride. Enjoy a dinner in charming downtown Mill Valley while you wait. The last shuttle from downtown Mill Valley to the parking lots leaves at 9:00pm. If you miss the last shuttle for any reason, you can take a taxi to the parking area.

2022 Hike Down Map
Hike Down Guide

While easier than the hike up to the theatre, it is still 7 miles and will take 2-2 1/2 hours. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water.

Biking to the Mountain Play is another adventurous fun way to get to the show. You can road cycle or mountain bike. Either way, please be sure to stay safe! Wear your helmet, bring lots of water, snacks, and a map. See the links below for advice and directions from the pros around the Bay Area. For a fantastic biking map check out the Marin Bike Coalition map.

Bike parking is FREE and available in the amphitheatre.

Jay’s Essential Bike Rides

SF Chronicle Biking Directions

If you choose to drive, please understand that parking on Mount Tamalpais is extremely limited AND there is a charge for parking at the Air Force Base Parking Lot.

Parking reservations online is $40. Day of parking is $50 at the lot gate, however is subject to availability.

Purchase Parking Online

Please note the amphitheatre does not have a street address since it is within the Mount Tamalpais State Park.  CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE MAPS. You can also follow the directions shown below if you are unable to access Google Maps

Take 101 N over the Golden Gate Bridge. Off of 101 N, take the exit for Route 1/Stinson Beach and follow signs for Route 1 which will bring you to the intersection of Tam Junction in Mill Valley.

From Tam Junction in Mill Valley turn left to stay on Route 1 toward Mount Tamalpais and drive 2.6 miles. Make a right onto Panoramic following the signs toward Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods. (If you stay straight you will go to Stinson Beach on Rt. 1)

From this turn off you will drive 0.8 miles to “4 Corners” where you will proceed straight (though it appears to veer to the left a bit). (If you make a sharp left you will go to Muir Woods, and a slight right will take you on Sequoia Valley Rd back down to Mill Valley.) The middle road appears to go straight and a bit to the left. This road points to Mount Tamalpais and Stinson Beach.

From “4 Corners” you will drive 4.5 miles up the mountain (at 1.7 miles you will see Mountain Home Inn on the right and a sign for Mount Tamalpais State Park on the left) until you see the Pantoll Ranger Station on the left. Here you will turn right up the mountain, taking Pantoll Road and following signs for Mount Tamalpais.

From this split at Pantoll Ranger Station:  At 1.0 miles you will see Trojan Point Parking Lot on the right. At 1.4 mile you will see Rock Spring Parking Lot in front of you.

THERE WILL BE MOUNTAIN PLAY PARKING ATTENDANTS TO ASSIST YOU AT THIS POINT OF YOUR JOURNEY.

If you park at Air Force Base Lot: PLEASE DO NOT HIKE to the theatre from the Air Force Base. Marin Municipal Water District has closed the trail.

If you want to hike before or after the show, there are many hiking trails starting at the Rock Spring parking lot. Visit the Friends of Mt. Tam Booth at the event for more hiking info.

The theatre entrance is just beyond Rock Spring. Patrons needing special access can be dropped off at the front gate before the car is parked.

Mountain parking lots typically fill before 10:00am on play dates. Drivers should drive up to the Air Force Base with reservations, or park at other lots available.  From the Air Force Base Parking Lot and Trojan Parking Lot, patrons will be shuttled in small vans to the front gate. After the show, drivers and passengers should walk to Rock Spring via the side exit and DRIVERS ONLY will be taken around to surrounding parking lots. Drivers will then need to drive back to Rock Spring to pick up passengers. Don’t worry, there will be signs and volunteers to direct you.

Heading south on 101, take the exit for Mill Valley/Tiburon, bear right and go towards Mill Valley.  Turn left onto Camino Alto. Follow Camino Alto past Safeway and turn right onto Miller Ave.

After passing the Whole Foods on your left look for a left turn onto Montford Ave – you should see the famous 2AM Club on your left at the corner.  Stay on this road even though it will change names – Molino, Edgewood, and Sequoia Valley Road. Follow the yellow line and ALWAYS go uphill! You will go through a couple neighborhoods until you get to what looks like a four way stop, known as “4 Corners.”  Turn right here onto Panoramic Highway, (notice our billboard on your right.)

From “4 Corners” you will drive 4.5 miles up the mountain (at 1.7 miles you will see Mountain Home Inn on the right and a sign for Mount Tamalpais State Park on the left) until you see the Pantoll Ranger Station on the left. Here you will turn right, going up the mountain, taking Pantoll Road and following signs for Mount Tamalpais.

From that split at Pantoll Ranger Station:  At 1.0 miles you will see Trojan Point Parking Lot on the right. At 1.4 mile you will see Rock Spring Parking Lot in front of you.

MOUNTAIN PLAY PARKING ATTENDANTS WILL GUIDE YOU TO AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE.

If you park at Air Force Base Lot: PLEASE DO NOT HIKE to the theatre from the Air Force Base. Marin Municipal Water District has closed the trail.

If you want to hike before or after the show, there are many hiking trails starting at the Rock Spring parking lot. Visit the Friends of Mt. Tam Booth at the event for more hiking info.

The theatre entrance is just beyond Rock Spring. Patrons needing special access can be dropped off at the front gate before the car is parked.

Mountain parking lots typically fill before 10:00am on play dates. Drivers should drive up to the Air Force Base with reservations, or park at other lots available.  From the Air Force Base Parking Lot and Trojan Parking Lot, patrons will be shuttled in small vans to the front gate. After the show, drivers and passengers should walk to Rock Spring via the side exit and DRIVERS ONLY will be taken around to surrounding parking lots. Drivers will then need to drive back to Rock Spring to pick up passengers. Don’t worry, there will be signs and volunteers to direct you.

Mountain parking lots typically fill before 10:00am on play dates. Drivers should drive up to the West Peak or park at other lots, from there patrons will be shuttled in small vans from the parking lots to the front gate. After the show, drivers and passengers should walk to Rock Spring via the side exit and DRIVERS ONLY will be taken around to surrounding parking lots. Drivers will then need to drive back to Rock Spring to pick up passengers. Don’t worry, there will be signs and volunteers to direct you.

Most people take advantage of the more ecologically friendly mode of Mountain Play travel and arrive in style aboard one of our festive yellow buses affectionately called the Mountain Play Express.

ROUND TRIP SHUTTLE BUS PRICES:
Adults: $10
Youth ages 4 – 25: $5

OPENING DAY ONLY: Youth ages 4 – 25 are FREE

You will purchase your bus passes for the day when you board the morning bus. Information about the Mountain Play Express will be included with each mailed ticket order.

Note: Shuttles do not make stops between the amphitheatre and shuttle parking lots.

Morning Express shuttles leave roughly every 15 minutes from 10:00am to 12:45pm from two locations in Mill Valley on play dates. At the end of the show you will hop in the Tootsie Pop Line to board a bus going back to both parking lots.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Our protocols will be based on orders from local health departments, and these protocols may change at any time.

Masks are required while on shuttles and when indoors. Masks are recommended while groups are gathered together or when in an enclosed space with other audience members.

Parking is free at both locations.

  1. Manzanita Parking Lot, the commuter parking lot located at the junction of Highway 101 and Highway 1, just beyond the Mill Valley/Stinson beach exit off Highway 101. We encourage all users to be aware of the general guidelines such as: do not block access to stalls, bike lockers, transit buses or load zones; do not park in red zones, abide by lot signage, and be aware that users use the lot at their own risk. California Highway Patrol provides parking enforcement and will ticket & tow if the guidelines are violated.NOTE: There is no security at the lot and the Manzanita lot is subject to flooding. Patrons park at their own risk. Vehicles cannot be parked for more than 24 hours. Vehicles may be ticketed & towed by law enforcement for not obeying traffic laws & parking restrictions, such as no parking along red zones or at no parking signs, blocking transit or other vehicles.

2. Tamalpais High School, opposite the Safeway on Miller Avenue.

For those athletic patrons who want to take the scenic route to or from the theatre, hiking is a beautiful option.

Traditional Hike Down

Many Mountain Play hikers take the bus up to the theatre and then hike down after the show. Your hike down is made easier because the Mountain Play transports your ice chests and other bulky items back to Mill Valley.

We offer a mid-way point pickup, so if you’re tired when you get to the Mountain Home Inn, you can stop there. Refresh yourself with some beverages or a snack, and then catch our Midway shuttle at 6: 30, 6:50, or 7:10 p.m. back to your car. If you’re feeling good and want to walk all the way to Mill Valley, go for it!

Once you reach Mill Valley, pick up your gear and hop on a shuttle back to your parked car at Tamalpais High or Manzanita Park and Ride. Enjoy a dinner in charming downtown Mill Valley while you wait. The last shuttle from downtown Mill Valley to the parking lots leaves at 9:00pm. If you miss the last shuttle for any reason, you can take a taxi to the parking area.

2022 Hike Down Map
Hike Down Guide

While easier than the hike up to the theatre, it is still 7 miles and will take 2-2 1/2 hours. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water.

For those hiking up to the theatre in the morning, you can reverse these directions, but we encourage you to research the route on your own beforehand and buy a map of the mountain. A great map to use is “Trails of Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands”, available at Amazon. You can also visit OneTam.Org to find a free downloadable map.

Biking to the Mountain Play is another adventurous fun way to get to the show. You can road cycle or mountain bike. Either way, please be sure to stay safe! Wear your helmet, bring lots of water, snacks, and a map. See the links below for advice and directions from the pros around the Bay Area. For a fantastic biking map check out the Marin Bike Coalition map.

Bike parking is FREE and available in the amphitheatre.

Jay’s Essential Bike Rides

SF Chronicle Biking Directions

If you choose to drive, please understand that parking on Mount Tamalpais is extremely limited AND there is a charge for parking at the Air Force Base Parking Lot.

Parking reservations online is $40. Day of parking is $50 at the lot gate, however is subject to availability.

Please note the amphitheatre does not have a street address since it is within the Mount Tamalpais State Park.  CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE MAPS. If you are routed to Stinson Beach on Google Maps, PLEASE turn right onto Pan Toll Road into Mount Tamalpais State Park. This road will take you directly to the amphitheatre.

Mountain parking lots typically fill before 10:00am on play dates. Drivers should drive up to the Air Force Base with reservations, or park at other lots available.  From the Air Force Base Parking Lot and Trojan Parking Lot, patrons will be shuttled in small vans to the front gate. After the show, drivers and passengers should walk to Rock Spring via the side exit and DRIVERS ONLY will be taken around to surrounding parking lots. Drivers will then need to drive back to Rock Spring to pick up passengers. Don’t worry, there will be signs and volunteers to direct you.