Steep Ravine Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley, California.

One of the secrets of California state parks are the nine Steep Ravine cabins on Mt. Tamalpais just north of San Francisco. Mt. Tam, of course, is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking. It shelters 6,300 acres of redwoods, oaks, and meadows, with views to the Farallon Islands from its 2,571-foot summit. To think that I used to lived in the next town over in San Rafael was surreal to have this place next door on top of that though there are seven million people living just on the other side of the ridge and the hugely popular Stinson Beach is two miles away, once you settle into to a cabin feels like California primeval — wild and empty.

The wooden structures date to the 1940s and rent for just $75 a night — but reservations require a scramble. Definately worth the try.

Steep Ravine Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley