West Point Inn is nestled among the trees near the top of Mt. Tamalpais, offering beautiful views from its perch overlooking the East Bay, San Francisco, and Marin Headlines. Primarily accessible by hiking or biking, the inn has seven rooms, and five separate cabins guests can choose from for their stay. Plus, the inn does have an accessible cabin with a ramp and parking space to accommodate guests unable to hike to the inn.
There are various hikes available to reach the inn, ranging from two hours to easy 45-minute hikes. Once you’re at the inn, you also have several trails to choose from if you want to continue hiking.
The inn has been entirely run by volunteers since 1943, and the West Point Inn Association continues to run the inn today. The association currently has over 600 members that keep the inn running. Both members and non-members can volunteer at monthly work parties to help keep the inn in working order.
The inn also hosts pancake breakfasts on the second Sunday of each month from May until October. Breakfast takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where hikers and guests can buy delicious homemade pancakes and enjoy the stunning view. The breakfasts are popular, so we recommend arriving early and anticipating a long line. The inn has a large porch with many tables perfect for admiring the view, and you can continue a scenic hike after scarfing down the pancakes.
History
Originally built in 1904, the inn was a stop along the Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway as the westernmost point of the railway. The railway was once dubbed “the Crookedest Railroad in the World” for its 281 turns snaking its way up to the top of Mt. Tamalpais. West Point Inn was part of the railway until its closing in 1930 and is the only surviving building from the railroad.
The scenic railroad was witness to an exciting piece in history in 1896 when women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony rode the railway to the summit before delivering a speech about women’s right to vote.
