Olompali State Historic Park

Olompali State Historic Park is a 700-acre park with oak woodlands, rolling hills, and numerous trails that wind through the landscape. Native California plants and animals inhabit the grounds, creating the natural environment that defines the space today.

The site was home to Coast Miwok settlements starting around 500 CE and grew into a trading hub for the people. A house built in 1776 north of San Francisco Bay still stands on the grounds, marking centuries of presence in this location.

The land holds deep roots with the Coast Miwok people, who built thriving communities here and maintained trade connections with neighboring groups for centuries. Visitors can observe archaeological signs of these settlements when walking through the park today.

The park is accessible on foot with trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, so visitors of different fitness levels can explore at their own pace. Bringing water and wearing good shoes is essential, since the terrain includes exposed hillsides under the sun.

During the late 1960s, the property became a gathering place for musicians and artists, including members of the Grateful Dead, who lived here as a commune called The Chosen Family. This chapter in counterculture history adds an unexpected layer to the park's story today.

Location: Novato

GPS coordinates: 38.15183,-122.57765

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54