Can you think of a time when you were SO inspired by a picture of a place that you just had to take the very next opportunity you had to visit it? That's exactly how I felt with Hawk Hill. Hawk Hill represents the very top point of the Marin Headlands (a.k.a, the hilly peninsula at the southern part of Marin County). Basically, you get a gorgeous view of San Francisco/the Bay Area from the top of Hawk Hill. I personally have never taken the time to visit the Marin Headlands, but when my friend posted an awe-inspiring photo on top of Hawk Hill, I KNEW I had to check it out (and drag my girlfriend along). First off, let me preface by saying that the Marin Headlands are definitely not for people who have low patience when finding parking. I actually encourage brave souls to just walk to Hawk Hill. It's about a 2 mile climb from Golden Gate Bridge, and if you think that might take forever, just wait and see how long it may take to drive up + find parking. Unfortunately, given how popular the Headlands are (you will know when you get to the top that you can basically recreate all those popular Golden Gate/San Francisco pictures you see online), parking and traffic is HORRENDOUS. If you are lucky, you can get to the Headlands from the Bridge in less than 15 minutes. Then, if you are even luckier, you might find parking right away. Just come early if anything. Otherwise, it may take a while... But once you are out and ready to explore, you will understand why this area is SO BEAUTIFUL. Specifically in regards to Hawk Hill, getting to the top only requires like 10 minutes of walking at most. You can get to the top via a direct route up the hill, or take a roundabout through some old, wet tunnels to get you there. Either way, there's a good amount of space to walk and there's lots of signs telling you where to go. I however would also recommend you be careful because there's a lot of abandoned structures around. I have to say that if you are willing to wait in traffic and struggle to find parking, Hawk Hill is well worth it. The view is absolutely magnificent. Whether you stay at the trailhead and look toward the Bay, or walk the 10 minutes up to hill, you will get an amazing view regardless. Usually, it takes a person with great photo-editing skills to be able to take the best of pictures. But here at Hawk Hill, you can EASILY take a gorgeous photo of the Bay. It's literally there in the palm of your hands. I give Hawk Hill a "nice-su, you can take your parents here and they'll be happy." I wouldn't come all the way out of town JUST for this since you can get through the hill in less than a half hour, but if you are in the area, it's worth visiting and suffering through a plethora of cars for. Have fun and prosper, read more

See all

This place is pack crowded, but the views is amazing if you actually go inside and do the super short trail. There's a really cute bench that oversees the ocean where I had my lunch at with my boyfriend! Super cute and romantic. I love the stairs and how it adds structure to the view. You can also see the street along the highway as well! After having lunch, we just walked to the top and enjoyed the view some more. Nice stop for a day trip in Marin! read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Definitely a must spot to visit at night time or to watch the sunrise in San Francisco. I enjoyed it very much.

This is the perfect spot to enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. This wide-vista view is not the only reason to come to Hawk Hill. This is best place to witness the fall raptor migration From September through October the birds soar and circle over the hill. For the history buffs Battery 129, a historic World War II military installation is worth seeing. read more

One of the best views on earth. It looks down on the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco behind it and the Bay Bridge and Bay Area beyond. The view is so amazing that you have to wait for parking, and there's not much to do other than look and take pictures. Beautiful sunrises October through February, as long as it's not too foggy (which early October can be). You have to park by the round-a-bout and hike about half a mile to watch the sunrise because the gate on the road is not unlocked until sunrise. read more

See all

This place has some spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

Blue Pacific Ocean. Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco. Lush Green. All at once. Gorgeous view. This amazing view reminds me how lucky I am I can live in the Bay Area. Just 0.6 mile hike from the parking, easy trail. There are a lot of cars but in and out is quick. read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Definitely one of the most breathtaking views of the bridge and the city! I am a Bay Area native and had never hiked the trails leading to hawk hill before, and I've been missing out! You can drive right up to the hill or take a longer hike from the Marin side of be bridge (I enjoyed the longer hike- makes the view just that much better!). I'll definitely recommend hawk hill to out of towners visiting the area. And I'll be back to explore the other trails in the area! read more

This place is awesome. Cool misty winds clear off anything in your mind. You start appreciating nature for its magnificent glory read more

Hawk Hill - Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

Almost everyone comes for the views of the GGB + SF skyline, but I think the views of the views are better down below. With that said, next time you pay a visit here during sunset, walk through the tunnel and if you are lucky to catch a sunset with clear skies and clouds in the distance, you will be rewarded with an absolutely amazing view. FYI, there is only one bench here at the end of the tunnel but there is room to sit / pull out a picnic blanket if you so choose to. read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This has an extraordinary view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Great to take a panoramic shot of the city and bridge. I went with a group of friends at 5:00AM to get the shot of the bridge and city lights, hoping for the sun to shine, but then remembered that this is San Francisco and overcast is the meal of the day. Parking was limited and the gates were still closed. Park off the roundabout on McCullough Road and Conzelman Road if you can't find parking off the top. Short incline up and you'll get a great view. For those afflicted with the sweet blood that mosquitos love, even at 5:00AM in the morning, they are out to feed. Soak in the view with your eye brains and put away the camera for a few minutes. read more

Hawk Hill - Golden Gate Bridge with City Scape - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I haven't been here at night time, I always go in here in the afternoon and this photo that Im sharing was taken by my bestfriend read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing views!!! Nice place to explore, one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge/city and if you walk around there are other great spots to see. I came here on a Monday around 3-4 and it wasn't too crowded and more than enough parking. I can imagine that it would get crowded on the weekends though! read more

Hawk Hill - Lovely view! - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

Hawk Hill has been on my list of places to see in SF for a while now. Just had to find a clear day to make it worth going to. I went on a sunny yet windy day which wasn't so bad. The view from up there is awesome! You can see the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in the background on a good day. When it becomes cloudy or foggy there though, you can't see a single thing. Lots of bikers like to go up there. There are plenty of parking spots for tourists like us to enjoy this view. I've seen wonderful sunset or sunrise pics up here, so it's worth a trip. Overall the view of SF from Hawk Hill is def amazing. Wouldn't mind coming here again! Only bad thing tho is that I gotta pay toll to get back into the city to go home on top of the toll that I already paid going in from the Bay Bridge. read more

Amazing views from this lovely hike. Parking is not bad around here and there are multiple viewpoints. Come on a sunny day with a nice coffee and you are set! read more

Best views of the Golden Gate Bridge I have found! Multiple different vantage points allow for a variety of unique views and many options for photography. Bring a jacket, it does get a bit windy up here. If you're a tourist and it's not a foggy day, I would highly recommend coming up here once during sunset and enjoy the view (or take selfies i don't judge) read more

101 N after GGB, skip the first exit (view point) and take the 2nd exit. Simply follow the signs. Easy to park, and this was Saturday on a Labor Day weekend. Three port-a-potties at the top. read more

See all

Loved the breath taking scenic view of Golden Gate bridge during night time here. This view of Gate is golden / Hawk Hill is best lookout spot to take it all in. If mother nature will be kind to you and the fog will dissolve this is the best view point on the golden gate and bay area by far!!! To get the bridge with the city of San Francisco in the background, pull over about half way up Conzelman Road. The first viewpoint on the Conzelman Road is the best view point of the golden gate. Here the colors of the gate are bright and beautiful when captured with your camera. . When you keep going up hill, and pull over at other viewpoints, the colors slowly fade out because of the distance from the bridge. Uphill is the best viewpoint for the capture of SFO city with golden gate. But if you really need the beautiful golden gate to be captured the first viewpoint is the best one. read more

Amazing sunset! It's absolutely stunning. It's like viewing nature's very own golden snitch. The sunset goes by quickly, so be sure to snap some pictures but it gets dark. I love that there's a small tunnel that leads to the hill. It acts as a great aperature for your selfies :) read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I've been both a tourist and a tourist guide of the SF bay area for a time now. Unfortunately for all my friends and relatives who have been under my care, I didn't re-discover this place until last weekend. If you decide to cross the Golden Gate Bridge (from San Francisco of course), I would suggest you drive a little bit further and go visit Hawk Hill instead of settling in on the very crowded Vista Point off of the Bridge. Parking here may be a bit more challenging during the day (esp. on weekends) but the view is definitely more picturesque up here. You won't completely see the North tower from here but still, the vantage point is so much better! No wonder you'll see bigger and better cameras here than down there. Get the picture? read more

Great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. Try going at sunrise or sunset for a beautiful view.

Love this place! Came here for the first time because my friend wanted to take us sight-seeing over the bridge. We were able to have a beautiful view of the bridge from above and see San Francisco in the background. Though it was a bit foggy that night, it was such a sight to see. Definitely want to come back during the daytime :) read more

Hawk Hill - Foggy night - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Amazing place for anyone new to area looking for somewhere to take the scenes. Only con is parking is a little hard, and if its cloudy you really cant see much. When weather is clear, its an amazing place to go alone, or with family. read more

Stunning view! you need a car to get there and then, you have to walk a little to get on top of the hill, but trust me, you won't regret it!!! Peaceful and stunning view on the Bay Area! What can you ask more? read more

Hawk Hill is my favorite spot to get a sweeping panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. This is the place most postcards of San Francisco are probably taken from. At dawn, sunset, or a clear day, the view from this semi-hidden area is amazing! You'd be hard-pressed to find many views that can compare to the one you get from this vista point. It's simply the best! You can either drive, walk, or bike up. Parking is limited and they have a couple benches in the area to kick back and enjoy the view. It's a pretty steep grade so be warned. read more

AWESOME spot to capture BREATHTAKING views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco - the skyline / lit up city! It can get a bit packed with regard to parking, but the trip here is worthwhile. Near sunset time, a lot of folks will gather with their cameras to catch the spectacular views. Ah-mazing! read more

Hawk Hill - Hiking Near Me - San Francisco, California

Million dollar east view looking back towards the Golden Gate with the City, Bay Bridge and East Bay as the backdrop. Scan west to the surreal and never ending Pacific. Great quick excursion from the East Bay. read more

What magnificent views of the Headlands from Hawk Hill! You can see the entire span of the Golden Gate Bridge, fog permitting of course. It's an easy hike, so pack a picnic with a great bottle of wine and enjoy. Oh yes, bring a windbreaker and binocs! read more

Great views, pathed well, different trails to explore, clean. Bring water, comfortable shoes and patience.

Always love exploring this place! Amazing views of the city and Golden Gate Bridge. It can sometimes get crowded on the weekends which makes parking a little bit difficult but the views are definitely worth it! read more

There are amazing views of the San Francisco bay, and the city on the hill, from here. The parking situation was also comparatively good.

Beautiful spot for pictures of the bridge on the road side but I get super depressed about all the trees being chopped down on the other side of the hill. F*** the mission blue butterfly! In winter 2011-2012, ALL these huge old trees were removed and it totally changed the entire character of this location. This place was so foresty and mossy and mysterious when there were large trees everywhere. Now it's just barren and stupid to me. Still giving 4 stars for the bridge views. read more

we went for sunset and it is an amazing view of the city and the golden gate bridge. and don't miss walking to the other side of the tunnel.

Gorgeous views...I mean...panoramic vistas including the drive up. It is an amazing area for birdwatching, and we enjoyed every minute of our visit. We saw lots of hawks, Harbor Seals and wildlife, just beautiful. We did not see one butterfly. We noticed huge tree stumps all over and were so disappointed to read that every single tree was cut down on the bluff to preserve butterflies? What a waste of government money - over 1 million dollars to remove a beautiful bluff of trees creating a wasteland look. Dumb. But still, the views were incredible. read more