One of the largest remaining populations of Central California Coast coho salmon returns every winter to Lagunitas Creek in West Marin, and you can watch them spawn under the redwoods.
When to go
Marin Water says spawning season runs December through January. The National Park Service says to look for salmon one to three days after a rainstorm, and that January is traditionally the best month to spot spawning coho and steelhead.
Where
The Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area sits between the town of Lagunitas and Samuel P. Taylor State Park. From Highway 101, take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west about 14 miles through the San Geronimo Valley, cross Shafter Bridge about half a mile past the Lagunitas store, and turn left into the lot.
- Open sunrise to sunset
- The small lot fills quickly on weekends
- The shallow water upstream of the parking lot is one of the busiest spawning areas in the creek
Be a good guest
NPS asks visitors not to disturb spawning fish and to watch for stinging nettle, poison oak and swift currents. Marin Water posts survey updates from its fisheries team in its Creek Notes reports.