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: $5OPENING 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:
- 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.
- 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.
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. You can also follow the directions shown below if you are unable to access Google Maps
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.