Tucked away in Santa Venetia, Candy’s Park offers a peaceful retreat for anyone exploring Marin County. This little park sits at 601 Adrian Way, and you can get there easily from Highway 101 by taking the North San Pedro Road exit in San Rafael. Candy’s Park gives you a quiet alternative to Marin’s busier spots, but it still has that natural beauty the county’s famous for.
The location works well if you want to check out other nearby places. China Camp State Park and the Marin County Open Space District are just a short drive away, and both attract plenty of travelers. These green spaces link up to offer hiking, wildlife watching, and a real taste of Marin’s varied landscapes.
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If you’re planning a visit to Candy’s Park, toss some comfy walking shoes and a camera in your bag—you’ll want to capture the scenery. The park works as both a destination and a starting point for exploring Marin’s outdoors. Spring is a great time to go, honestly. Wildflowers pop up everywhere, and the weather’s usually mild enough to enjoy being outside all day.
Exploring Candy’s Park in Marin County
Candy’s Park is a small pocket park tucked into the Santa Venetia neighborhood of Marin County. Locals and visitors alike use it as a chill spot to unwind and get some fresh air away from the usual crowds.
Location and How to Get There
You’ll find Candy’s Park in the Santa Venetia area of San Rafael. It’s about 20 miles north of San Francisco, so it’s totally doable for a day trip from the city.
Driving up from San Francisco? Just hop on Highway 101 north toward San Rafael. The trip usually takes 30-40 minutes, depending on how the traffic gods are feeling. You can usually snag a spot on the street near the entrance, but parking is limited.
If you don’t want to drive, Golden Gate Transit buses run from San Francisco to San Rafael. After that, grab a local bus or a quick rideshare to the park.
Already out exploring Marin—maybe hitting Muir Woods or Sausalito? Candy’s Park is a nice, low-key addition to your itinerary.
Features and Attractions
Candy’s Park is on the smaller side, but it still offers a few nice touches for visitors:
Main features:
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- Grassy lawn that’s great for picnics
- Shaded spots with seating
- Dog-friendly (just keep pups leashed)
- Quiet, neighborhood vibe
You can bring a packed lunch, relax on the grass, or just sit and watch the world go by for a bit. The park mostly serves the local community, so you won’t get swamped by tourists.
No, you won’t get sweeping Golden Gate Bridge views or epic hiking trails here. But honestly, the charm is in how simple and laid-back it feels.
Marin County Parks keeps the grounds tidy, so the place always feels inviting, no matter when you show up.
Accessibility and Visitor Facilities
Candy’s Park keeps things pretty simple:
Available amenities:
- A few benches scattered around
- Trash cans
- Pet waste stations
- Flat, easy-to-walk paths
The ground is level, so it’s friendly for folks with mobility concerns. The park’s small enough that you can walk the whole thing without breaking a sweat.
Heads up: there aren’t any public restrooms or water fountains, so bring your own water, especially if it’s warm out.
Hours follow the usual Marin County Parks schedule—sunrise to sunset. No admission fees, either, so it’s easy on the wallet if you’re exploring the Bay Area.
Local Flavors and Experiences Near Candy’s Park
Marin County packs a lot of food and culture into a pretty small area. If you’re hanging around Candy’s Park, you’ll find everything from sweet shops to seafood restaurants, plus art galleries and quirky local events.
Sweet Treats: Candy Shops and Confections
Celine’s Sweets, about 8.6 miles from the park, is a local favorite. They do handmade chocolates and desserts with local ingredients—definitely worth a stop.
Cravin’s Candy Emporium in Petaluma delivers serious nostalgia. Their salt water taffy comes in more flavors than you’d expect, from classic vanilla to wild stuff like mango-chili.
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Sugar, roughly 10.8 miles away, is all about artisanal fudge made fresh every day. The sea salt caramel fudge gets a lot of love. On weekends, you can even join a candy-making workshop.
Miette leans French, with confections that look almost too pretty to eat. The macarons and fruit candies make solid gifts—if you don’t eat them first.
Dining Options: From Seafood to Farm-to-Table
Scoma’s is the go-to for seafood, with water views and a friendly vibe. The daily catch keeps things interesting, and the staff usually seem genuinely happy to see you.
Food & Farm Tours are a cool way to sample local flavors. You’ll visit cheese makers, wineries, and farms—basically, all the good stuff Marin has to offer.
If cocktails are your thing, check out places on Ark Row for botanical gin drinks with local herbs. They’re surprisingly good, and you might end up with a new favorite.
For a splurge, Thomas Keller’s French Laundry isn’t technically in Marin, but it’s close enough if you want a truly special meal. Just know you’ll need to book way ahead.
Art and Culture in Marin County
Art galleries pop up all over near Candy’s Park, many featuring pieces by local artists inspired by Marin’s landscapes.
Monthly art walks give you a chance to chat with artists and watch them work. Sometimes there’s wine or live music—never a bad combo.
Local theaters put on everything from classic plays to new works by Bay Area writers. The venues are small, so you really feel part of the action.
Cultural festivals roll through with the seasons, celebrating Marin’s mix of communities. Expect traditional food, music, and crafts that show off the area’s heritage.
Nearby Landmarks and Accommodations
Point Reyes Lighthouse is honestly one of those spots you just have to see if you’re anywhere nearby. It’s been photographed to death, but somehow still feels special when you’re actually there. The 308 steps down are a bit of a trek—your legs will notice—but the ocean views and the chance to spot whales during migration? Worth it.
The Lodge at Point Reyes has a really cozy, rustic vibe. You’ll find local artwork in the rooms, and it’s an easy launch point for hiking or wandering through nature preserves. It’s not flashy, but there’s something relaxing about it.
If you’re after something more modern, Acqua Hotel sits right on the water and gives you those big, sweeping views of Mount Tamalpais. Their breakfast is actually pretty impressive—lots of local stuff, and you can tell they care about the details.
Mount Tamalpais State Park isn’t far, and honestly, the hiking there is just gorgeous. Sometimes, if the weather cooperates, you can see all the way to San Francisco or even the Farallon Islands. Not a bad payoff for a little effort.
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