Tourist Club

By: Andrew Thomas

Tourist Club—the San Francisco chapter of the Naturefriends (Die Naturfreunde) originally founded in Vienna, Austria in 1895—was first established in 1912 outside of Mill Valley in Marin County. It’s in a beautiful setting, currently surrounded by Mt. Tamalpais State Park.

The goal of the Tourist Club is simple:

 “For over 120 years we have shared the goals of promoting nature appreciation, outdoor activities, conservation, sustainability, and international friendship and understanding.”

For years, Tourist Club remained relatively unknown in the Bay Area. In recent years, though—thanks to social media—it’s seen a rapid uptick in popularity. The club is currently only open to the public 3 Sundays a year: Maifest, Sommerfest and Oktoberfest. Tickets for each of these events go on sale a few weeks beforehand and quickly sell out.

There’s intentionally very little parking available on-site, partly to encourage members and attendees to hike to the complex for a more authentic experience. One of the most popular entryways is to park at the Old Mill Park in Mill Valley and follow a series of trails through Mt. Tamalpais State Park, which eventually divulges an old wooden building surrounded by pine trees and expansive views. An alternative and more strenuous hike starts at Muir Beach and traverses through Muir Woods National Monument. 

For more info, visit touristclubsf.org