It's hard to believe that I had lived in Marin for 13 years before learning about the Tourist Club on Mt. Tam. This past weekend my friends and I hiked from downtown Mill Valley, starting on the Dipsea Trail and following it to the Sun Trail, which led us directly to the Tourist Club. The elaborately decorated porch railings and window shutters made me feel like I had stumbled upon Hansel and Gretel's mansion in the woods. Built in 1914 by a group of German Nature Friends, this beautiful lodge is a great place to bring a picnic lunch and relax with friends while enjoying a few pitchers of beer and overlooking the sites of Muir Woods. Be sure to visit touristclubsf.org for more information and note that they are only open to the public on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th weekend of each month.