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The most relaxing sound in the world, from our 3 year wedding anniversary day trip! It was our toddler's first time at Rodeo Beach and she loved playing in the sand and looking for sticks! Our goldendoodle enjoyed running through the lagoon and sniffing everything in sight lol. My husband and I enjoyed the perfect 64° weather and learning about different species of birds from a ranger at the information booth! We also had a little picnic at their picnic benches before wasps chased us lol! I would definitely recommend this beach located in Sausalito! They have a restroom, a nearby Lighthouse and offer tours to learn about the area! We'll definitely be returning to explore more!
The Marin Headlands is one of the most beautiful places in California. The views of the ocean, cliffs, and Golden Gate Bridge are absolutely breathtaking. Every turn on the trail feels like a postcard. We stopped at several lookout points and spent time just listening to the waves and the wind. The trees here are some of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen in my life. They're tall, twisted, and full of character. It was so amazing to walk among them and feel the calm of the forest all around. There's so much history here too, from the old bunkers to the hidden structures tucked into the hills. You can really feel the mix of nature and time standing still. Bring water, good shoes, and a camera because you'll want to remember every moment. It's peaceful, wild, and completely worth the visit.
Quite a few memories dating back to elementary school. Probably the only memories I have of this place because there isn't much else here. Turns out, way back when, we were able to stay for at least a few days (OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP!!!) at Fort Cronkhite. Somehow my elementary school worked it out so that we could stay in the barracks from WWII. Marine Mammal Center (https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/about-us/what-we-do) was at the "top" and they didn't allow dogs inside so we brought out food made at home and ate lunch outside on the deck. Great views. The walk around the lagoon is a flat mile and change (1.2?) and the dog came with us. Still need to check out the Nike.
This is one of the perfect places to watch the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge, SF cityline, Pacific Ocean, Bay Bridge, and even Alcatraz Island! Embracing the breathtaking views, crisp air, and nature serves as a nice little escape from the hustle and bustle of SF. The winds can be piercingly cold, so bring extra thick layers. Before heading out, check the weather to make sure Karl the fog doesn't obstruct too much visibility!
The Marin Headlands occupies a large beautiful landscape for visitors, including natives and tourists alike. The beautiful aerial views of the San Francisco Bay area from a top of the many hillsides can be seen from various trails and landmarks. Parking can be tricky due to the large amount of visitors on any given day, but especially the weekends. On our most recent trip, there was some construction and we couldn't easily find a parking space. Additionally, if you're visiting with children, you may want to bring some snacks as there aren't any food options in the immediate area, but if you travel farther into the city, you will find many culinary options. The Marin Headlands is certainly worth a visit and I highly recommend you add this as a stop on your bucket list of Bay Area destinations.
We love hiking the trails around here. The views are absolutely spectacular, amazing, and beautiful! I'm always in awe with the ocean. The air is clean and crisp around here. It's always best to come really early in the morning especially if you want to find parking. The one setback is, you have to be careful leaving any belongings in your car because the street parking areas are hot spots for "smash and grab" activity. There were a lot of people sightseeing over this past weekend. It was a really nice day because of the perfect weather and clear blue skies. People were enjoying being outside after all the rain we've had. We will definitely come back to hike the other trails that we haven't conquered yet.
First time in this trail. We went with our group of friends and started at 9 am and done by 12 noon. What can I say... this was one of the beautiful and amazing hike I've gone to here in the bay. On the way there, we took the scenic route where we passed the golden gate bridge, and the Presidio area. - a good start already for great views. For almost 4 miles, it took us 3 hrs which is not bad. Parking is good but beware of theft warning. It is on their website to warn people. When we came at 9 the parking are almost half full so it's always better to start early. There are a couple of public restrooms that we encountered but you know how they smell lol So it's up to you if you want to go or hold it until the end lol The park was clean and well-maintained too. The route we took was kind of steep and rough but the route back was smoother. Overall, the intensity level for me was a medium. I thought it was gonna be harder because when we were just starting, I was already catching my breath lol woooh! Halfway, we got closer to the GG bridge and the view was awesome! You can see the Alcatraz, Sausalito side, City of whole San Francisco. Definitely no picture-taking can be missed. Lol! We even saw a group of people taking professional photos(prenuptial) and another group where a young lady celebrates her quinciñera wearing her nice beautiful gown like a princess. Id love to come back here again! Definitely recommended!!!
I mean... what's NOT to love about the Marin Headlands?! It's practically a playground for hikers, bikers, and sightseers alike. The numerous amount of hiking trails will keep you coming back to explore more. The radiant views of the SF and Marin coastline, Gerbode Valley and the Golden Gate Bridge seem to be endless. The drive alone can also be quite an adventure as you scale up windy one way roads that will expose you to breathtaking views of the city. I mainly come to the headlands to hike, but there have been a few times where I've merely stopped off on my way back from the beach to check out some of the beautiful scenery. As far as hiking goes, this place is an absolute gold mine. You will get a good mix of practically everything here. Coastal views, inclines, rolling hills, cityscapes, and even some urban groves can all be found along these trails. Some of my favorite hiking trails within the Headlands include Pirate's Cove, Tennessee Valley, Hill 88, and Hawk Hill. I love that most of the trails are are interconnectable and many of them will lead you right down to a beach and/or cove. There are also a few popular vista points in the Headlands, one of the most notable being of the Golden Gate Bridge. While this vista is stunning, it's often super packed with tourist and extremely cold and windy since it sits on the edge of the coast facing the bridge. In fact, the Marin Headlands is a very touristy spot in general. It makes total sense as many historical landmarks can be found here. There are several old war batteries that can be found along a few of the vista points and hiking trails. The Marin Headlands is also apart of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is recognized as part of California's National Park System. You can find some great information about the Miwok Native Americans who have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Miwok Trail was named after these Native Americans and is just one of many routes that they hiked regularly over the years. This is a very popular area, so starting your hiking and sightseeing is always advisable to get ahead of the crowds. Very blessed to be able to say that I live near this amazing place.
To see the beauty of San Francisco, you have to come to Marin Headlands! Whether it's cloudy or sunny, the view is breathtaking. There are 3 corners where you can park your car and take a picture on the edge. It's pretty safe and families and tourists came to this spot all the time. I would recommend to come early morning preferably. If not, it will be hard to find parking since it gets packed pretty fast after 12 pm.
My cousin and his wife were visiting from New Jersey so one of the first places we took then to was the Marin Headlands. On a nice sunny day I would argue that this is the best view in the entire SF Bay Area. It's been awhile since we were last there. Now there is a separate way up and down from the peak which makes for a much more safe and enjoyable ride. If you have limited time just soak in the beautiful views. If you have the time, read up on the history of the area or even better hike one of the many trails. It's a great way to explore and enjoy the area. My preference is to go in the afternoon when the western sun is behind you making for the best photos. There are lot's of places in the Bay Area that have gorgeous views. The Marin Headlands is at the top of the list!
Located north of San Francisco. I've visited in the past by vehicle until last week. In the last seven days I've come twice by ebike. Those spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the City of San Francisco? Yep taken from the Marin Headlands which is part of the GGNRA. We biked up using the dedicated bike lane to the top of Hawk Hill. We passed many road bikers but many of them eventually made it to the top - I'm assuming it's their daily exercise. Once at the top we took in the wondrous views of the City by the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. Doesn't get better than that. To get down to the Nike Missile area from Hawk Hill, we had to bike down the one way road with a sign declaring a 18 degree grade. Yikes! Very scary. Needless to say I took my time. What used to serve as a military base is now an haven for hikers, bikers, and dog walkers. There are still military batteries you can explore. The Marine Mammal Center is here. As is the Bay Area Discovery Center as is the Nike Missile as is Point Bonita lighthouse as the Pt Bonita YMCA as is a visitor center. It's a great day trip. Later we looped around and left the Marin Headlands using the one way tunnel. There's a dedicated bike lane each way sharing a tunnel with vehicles. That was intimidating due to the speed. Will I be back? Off season like now. Yesterday there were so many walkers and bikers on the Golden Gate Bridge as we crossed north out of the City and our return south back to the City. High season it'll be even more traffic.
What a wonderful short hike and view from the Marin Headlands Golden Gate vista area! From the H. Dana Bower rest area/vista on the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate Bridge, we took the walking/bicycling path that runs from the rest area, under the highway, to this vista area. Distance was about 0.5 miles with about 300' elevation change. Trail is packed dirt/some gravel, or you can walk in bike lane along paved road. You can also park closer to this vista point if you don't want the exercise. There's one bench with excellent views as you approach the top. Bring a jacket and protect your cap. It's very windy.
3 years ago
Looking for the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge? Anyone familiar with San Francisco knows that the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge are not offered in San Francisco itself, but north of by crossing the bridge over to Sausalito and going up to the Marin Headlands. Although San Francisco has its fair share of places from where you can get a pretty good view of the bridge, they are often fogged out, and don't beat the magnificence and near 360 degree view offered by Marin Headlands. Getting there entails going through a one way tunnel with traffic controlled by a traffic light. Going up the hill, there are various places to pull over and soak in the view. Eventually you end up at Battery Spencer which is the closest you can get to the bridge. There is a short trail which takes you past the ruins of the old military installation that formerly protected the entry to the Bay. Right past there is the closest viewing spot of the bridge from the Sausalito side. Its well worth the drive especially if you are already heading that way to Napa or Sonoma. read more
First of the Golden Gate viewing areas coming from NorCal. Breathe in the clouds and take in the breathtaking views from three different levels viewing the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean. Started our day in San Francisco by catching views and photos at this location. Hiking trails and bike paths are also available for extreme hikers and bikers. Or for people like me walking and taking in the beautiful views. Make sure you drive all the way to the top and park get out of your car and do a quick Loop of the trail for some awesome photos. On clear days the views are unbelievable you can see all the way to Oakland. On a cloudy day it's still cool to be up in the clouds. If you're into doing quick sightseeing the whole drive to the top and walk through takes about 25 to 30 minutes in total. read more
Holy hawk-a-moly, can California get a little more beautiful please??? One of the most iconic areas of Marin is the beautiful headlands which offers miles and miles of trails and terrain to explore what the Bay Area has to offer. One of my absolute favorite 'death march' routes from the city takes me over the Golden Gate Bridge and up to hawk hill and back (15 miles round trip)!!! The sights are absolutely incredible, whether it's a clear day or foggy in the city. Marin always seems to be clear and sunny but sometimes the fog into San Francisco hinders the clarity through the bridge. Either way, it is so beautiful. I love hiking to the very top of hawk hill to see the vista views of city - Alcatraz, two bridges, all of golden gate park, lands end, baker beach, the presidio, and all the beautiful hills of San Francisco. Highly recommend putting on your waking shoes and exploring this area, there is something to see in every direction you look! read more
9 years ago
Soak in the beautiful views that the Marin headlands has to offer. The roads are windy. No side lanes and you have to share with bicyclists. But you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the GG Bridge, San Francisco, Pacific Ocean, and the Valley. One of the first vista points off Hwy 101, off Conzelman, overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. The view is marvelous. Visit beaches, remnants of WW II batteries/bunkers, the old Nike missile site (limited visiting hours), old Forts, and the Point Bonita lighthouse (open Sat-Mon). Take in a hike. Go camping. Lounge on the beach; there are several beaches. Surf, fish. Throw on your spandex and cycle about. So much to do. If you like to plan things out, checkout the National Park Service website. read more
I've been to SF multiple times and had family living here but never once visited or knew about Marin Headlands. Friend took me here before my airport flight. We had limited time but gosh did we make the most of it. I didn't realize how high up the main road will take you to the top. There are a few pull over stops where you can park and take pics. Breathtaking pics. Parking sucks so there might be a trek to get to a popular spot where you can get views of the water, downtown, and bridge. Friend was determined to take me to the Lighthouse as well. The lighthouse is open Fri-Mon. Getting to the lighthouse was a SCARY AS HELL drive down an incredible steep and windy road. My friend says her legs shake every time she drives down this road. Parking is tough at the Lighthouse but remember you can park at the YMCA lot. The trek to the lighthouse isn't too bad. We even took her 3yo who managed the walk/hike (with our help). The breeze and fresh air is worth a thousand bucks here. There's a small suspended bridge you cross to get to the lighthouse. You can feel the bridge shift and sway so be careful if you're weary of that sensation. We took some great photos that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life. It was a wonderful experience to share with a best friend and her daughter. read more
Love visiting the Marin Headlands for a casual hike, visit to the beach, or for a quick "get away". There's generally an ample amount of parking but expect some traffic getting there, especially through the one lane 5-minute tunnel. The visitor center is a great starting point to learn about the area. They also sell souvenirs and a few food items like cookies or energy bars . There are several easy hiking trails available depending on how far you want to go and what you want to see. The trails are wide and clearly marked. There's more than enough to do/see here for a day trip. read more
5 years ago
Hiking the Marin Headlands with a group of friends was challenging at first, but also great. The green scenery is reminiscent of the rolling hills in The Sound Of Music. Although, I am not sure how many miles I hiked. I know I got a good workout in, because of the incline from the huge hills on the way there, and back. There are multiple trails you can take. Which is nice if you want to revisit this area. The group, and I tock one trail to the beach. We had lunch at the beach, which was packed with us. Then we tock a different trail back to where we parked. The trail on the way back had a lot of steps. Although, it was a bit taxing to make it up flight after flight of steps. It was well worth it to spend time with nature. Also, recommend wearing sneakers with grips on the bottom, or hiking shoes some of terrain can get slippery. Taking in all the sounds of the ocean, and lush greenery around was a nice change of pace to a typical work week of being chained to my desk. I look forward to doing this hike again soon. read more
The last time I was here was with my dog Piggy and she loved it. The views, fresh air and tourists from all around the wold to sniff at. A very beautiful view of the Golden Gate bridge - on a hill - away from the more popular and congested places around. Not far from Muir beach this is where you want to take your out of town guests. The view is breathtaking and parking is usually possible somewhere along the path. There is a turnaround that makes getting back to the highway convenient. The most popular viewing area for the Golden Gate bridge is where you take the first exit coming back from the city of SF and its very unpleasant there on weekends because of the congestion. The limited parking causes traffic to back up on the bridge and the whole area is best avoided. Take the next available exit and head back to SF. As you drive back you will see the on ramp to the highway again and the fork that goes to the Headlands. There is no better place to take a photo with a loved one. My little dog Piggy is no longer around but I still treasure the time we spent together here. read more
6 years ago
A must visit park if you have time in SF! It's right past SF and has some of the best views of the city without the entire crowds! It you're hiking, you can follow one of the many trails that offer different vistas of the city or Pacific. One of the trails I took in the morning even brought me to the beach. One of the most accessible spots to hike from SF. 100% recommend. read more
4 years ago
Absolutely great spot to see a beautiful view of SF and the Golden Gate Bridge. The picture does not do justice for how beautiful these views are. Even watching Karl take over the city is wonderful. Highly recommend checking out all the scene if drives and hikes around the area. read more
Historic sites The first time we were here, about 4 months ago, we only drove up Conzelman Road to see the magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean and stopped at Hawk Hill to capture more stunning views. This second time around, the hubby and I had more time to visit the sites and points of interests here at the Marin Headlands... apparently, there was more to it than bridge views, a lot more! When we arrived at the park we headed straight to the Visitor Center to get our map and our customary magnet for our fridge. We have quite a collection of magnets that brings back memories each time we glance at them :) The weather was a brisk 63° degrees during our visit. It was a nice shift from our hot weather in the Valley. We were prepared with warm jackets, though, which came in handy. Our visit was in early June this month. TIP: Bring your own snack; there are no food vendors in the Marin Headlands. Points of interest we visited (in this order): Rodeo Beach - we preceded to do the short hike until we got to the beach but the tide was strong. This area is dog friendly so bring your 4-legged furry friend when you hike the trails :) Battery Mendell - the remnants that was built to keep the enemy warships away from our San Francisco harbor. It used to have the 'disappearing guns' that rose up for firing and then dropped back down behind the protective barrier. Cool stuff! Bird Island - from Battery Mendell there is a short trail that led to views of the Bird Island. It is called Bird Island because "The basalt greenstone rock is layered with seabird droppings" and it is noticeably seen from where we were viewing it from. Point Bonita - separate review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/point-bonita-lighthouse-sausalito?hrid=p8a9YRpuIprVnTSLYc63oQ&utm_source=oshare Nike Missile Site - separate review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/nike-missile-site-sf-88-mill-valley?hrid=X-FWhlb9MmvK82Str3yKhQ&utm_source=oshare The Marine Mammal Center - this center was open to the public but we were not allowed to go inside the area where they feed the sea lions and other mammals. This center is used for rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing, marine mammals who are injured, ill, or abandoned. Fort Cronkhite - cool former World War II military post and one of the few examples these WW II "mobilization posts" remaining in the country. It was complete with a preserved fort's barracks, mess halls, and other structures. Currently, it is being used as offices and housing for the park rangers and staff. Fort Baker - by this time I was already too tired to walk around enjoy the cell-phone tour. It is a former 1905 U.S. Army post with 25 historic army buildings clustered around a main ground and located immediately north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Must come back a third time to finish exploring the Marin Headlands because there are still a few sites we missed exploring. Review #0445 updated read more
10 years ago
What a lovely hiking trail with a beautiful scene of the Golden Gate Bridge and view of the city's landscape! Got my 20,000 steps in for the day while pleasantly taking in the scenery, sounds of beach waves when you reach that bottom point and at the cliff's edge, lies a lighthouse to be explored. It was a fulfilling day and a nice place to be when the weather is cool by the bay and yet warm. read more
I've grew up in the Bay Area and not once did I head up this way. I remember we use to come to SF every weekend to go to Fishermans wharf, downtown, twin peak, and ocean beach but never across the Golden Gate. Probably due to the fact that you have to pay to get back into the city. Marin headlands is across the bridge and up the mountains. It has many lookout spots from the high high top to the famous low bottom shot of the bridge. If you're lucky and it's not foggy, the top one has a good view. The bottom most one is very packed with tourist and there are a few spots, so you have many cars blocking the road waiting for a spot. We got lucky as someone was leaving. The lookout was cool but they should maintain it a bit more. There were graffiti and trash scattered everywhere. Cool picture perfect spots of the bridge, city and the bay. read more
More than one visitor to the great orange bridge has marveled that the hills on the other side have no houses on them. What's there? That's what these 200+ reviews are for: to tell you what's there. Hills, lots of hills. Shrubs on hills. Flowers on hills. Poison ivy on hills :-( A few trees on hills. A few trails on hills. A few beaches among hills. Lizards on hills. Rabbits on hills. Quail on hills. Wind on hills. Fog on hills. And more wind and more fog on hills. And old repurposed Army buildings. And batteries dug into the hills, some that you can walk into. And a cool lighthouse at the edge. What you won't find: Marincello. Search for it online, it's a fascinating history. Be prepared for unpredictable weather. Quoting "Shrek", onions have layers, ogres have layers, and visitors to the Headlands should have layers. There are some organized activities at the foot of the great orange bridge. Yes, you can camp at the southwest portion very close to that bridge, if you reserve far enough in advance ($25/night). But, for the most part, you make your own adventure in the Marin Headlands. read more
The views from the Marin Headlands is just breathtaking. This is by far the most impressive spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We went directly from Vista Point to this location to take some photos. Parking was limited so we drove further up the hill to find a spot. The day was clear, and the views were stunningly beautiful. I've been coming to this spot since I was a kid, and there's a certain nostalgia here. I'll always love coming here when I'm visiting the city. For spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands will always be my favorite go-to spot for taking pictures. I'll never get tired of seeing those amazing views of the bridge from here! read more
8 years ago
One of my spots in the Bay Area. This used to be a military base but what makes it so special is it has the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the ocean. It has 4 scenic spots that you can stop and look and take pictures. The views are breathtaking truly. While driving you need to go past the Golden Gate Bridge and take the first exit on the right. This is towards Sausalito but has a short cut to go to Marin Headlands and no traffic in this route. Be careful as there are a lot of cops around, what I recommend is going up to the highest point to the deadens and parking there. Then walk up through the military base and enjoy the view of the GG Bridge and the ocean. Stop at the other scenic spots on the way back, that way you are not cutting any lines and breaking the rules. read more
Came by to enjoy the scenery from the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. This place does live up to the hype of TripAdvisor's #1 Tourist spot in SF! It was pleasantly unwindy and crowds were light upon arrival late morning. Parking was available and the scenery was beautiful! ...bring some pastries and enjoy the scenery and hike up to the top! No admission fee or parking charges either! read more
Remember that part in Ant-Man when they leave the prison and are driving down the mountain to the Golden Gate Bridge? This is the place. The views are to die for, but it does get a bit packed with a ton of people who also want to see the views. Still, they are amazing. I don't want to say much beyond what I've just said, but take my word for it. Head here and check it out. It's amazing. read more
Golden Gate Bridge is one of the symbol of the United States. When foreign visitors think of the US, the bridge is one of them on the list. I got into photography a year ago, and I've been checking out so many pictures and images taking from this spot. I couldn't wait for my next chance to visit the bay area to take time for photo shooting. Opportunity finally came last Saturday, and I was very pleased with breathtaking view of the bridge. Forecast said heavy rain from a few days before I visited and I was concerned for heavy rains. Fortunately when I woke up on Saturday, it stopped raining and I could not have been any happier as the weather cooperated with me. Based on the pictures I've seen from others, I knew exactly where I needed to go. Once you cross the bridge from downtown, take the scenic route (turn left). The first parking is the place to park if you could find a spot to walk to the area best (in my humble opinions) for picture taking. This first parking area is always crowded as many people want to come and stay longer to take pictures. I kept driving to the next spot and waited a little for a spot to open. I parked my car there and walked back to the first parking spot. Very short walk from the second parking area. From the first parking area, it was about 5 mins walk to the area most people set up their tripod for picture taking. When I was there, it started raining but the fog and crowd made my picture more interesting. I put my gear under my jacket and started running towards my car. The golden gate bridge is very photogenic. Her bright red color makes any pictures so beautiful. I am pleased with the result although i still have a lot of rooms for improvement for my skill. Every visit to the Bay area, I want to make time to stop by here for more pictures. read more
The Marin Headlands is one of the best viewpoints in the whole bay area! Thoughts from my first visit: - There are a bunch of cool hikes here that I want to try! Adding these to my list of things. - Bring a coat because it can get a little chilly from the sea breeze. - Parking can be a pain so try to be patient. People usually circulate frequently. - The weekend warrior cyclists hit the Headlands in packs so just be careful driving on the twisty roads. - Without a doubt, the best view of the Golden Gate. Happy travels and enjoy the scenery! read more
Perfect spot for some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the City from high above. Apart from a couple of viewing decks you have some trails for some good hikes - perfect for a weekend getaway not too far from the city. read more
It is a great hiking place. Today I hiked from SF, crossing Golden Gate Bridge by foot, then climbed the hills in Marin Headlands. Then we went down to Rodeo Beach through Hill88, then came back to the city. If it is sunny and clear, you can see all blue Pacific Ocean over the green hills. You can see GGB, Bay Bridge, Mt.Tam, Mt.Diablo, and SF tall buildings. I am very lucky that I live only 1 hour from here. Two drawbacks 1. Too many people (I usually hike very remote in the deep wilderness) 2. A lot of poison oak (I am supersensitive to it) read more
5 years ago
This was our first time visiting SF together and we did not look closely enough at certain places needing reservations. While waiting for our Muir Woods time slot, we popped in to the Marin Headlands area as we saw the reviews were great for bridge picture taking. We parked and walked to a high area where bird watching/studying was taking place and wow. The view all around was so breathtaking. We drove our way down to the area closer to the bridge with the fence that has locks. We got all the pictures we needed in front of the bridge to check this off our list. It was truly beautiful. We also had a nice clear day which helped. We travelled last week so October seems to be an ideal time to go. Would recommend! read more
8 years ago
Great to have this resource so close to the city! Lots of trails and you can hike down to the beach as well. Very good signage throughout and the visitor center has a nice map of the entire area. Rangers are also very helpful/friendly and give great tips on hiking routes. Highly recommend as a day trip from the city. I made a loop with coastal trail and miwok trails but there are endless possibilities depending on how long you want to go. I walked clockwise from the visitors center/lagoon to the coastal trail so I could go up the (rocky) stairs instead of down. Many people do the same hike counterclockwise but just be aware of the stairs. read more
Great historical place near the batteries with a great view of the bridge (depending on where you go haha). A bunch of secret trails lead you to different places along the coast so it was really cool feeling "adventurous" and all. My bf and I found a fence that had a hole in it so we ended up going to some lookout spot. It was literally above a cliff and you can definitely fall over because of all the wind up there so be careful!!! But it was really cool haha. :) Also drove around more to get closer views of the golden gate bridge! I've never been to this side's lookout places (only the sf side) so it was pretty cool seeing the city in the background. An overall beautiful and amazing place!! read more
20 years ago
No matter how many times I go here, the view never gets old. When I take out of town guests to this place, I don't feel like it's a chore, but an opportunity to soak in the city view with Golden Gate Bridge in the foreground. Multiple visits here is a treat because depending on the season, weather, and time of the day, you get a different feel. View from Battery Spenser and a location further up the hill by the tunnel is amazing. read more
Can you think of a time when you had put off visiting a place due to some miscellaneous reason, only to find out afterwards that you've been missing out this whole time? That's exactly the feeling I had when I recently visited the Marin Headlands with my girlfriend. Ever since I had moved to the Bay Area and developed my love for the outdoors, I heard non-stop about the Marin Headlands (via friends, websites, etc.). For those of you who don't know, the Headlands (https://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm) represent a collection of hills along the peninsula at the southern tip of Marin County. Personally, I never really developed an interest to visit because I knew that this place would be a giant tourist trap. A.K.A. heavy traffic and impossible parking. But recently when my friend had posted a gorgeous photo at Hawk Hill, the top point of the Headlands, I KNEW I had to check this area out (and drag my girlfriend along). Let me preface by saying that the Marin Headlands are definitely not for people who have low patience when it comes to finding parking. I actually encourage brave souls to walk here if they can because it's about a 1-2 mile climb from the Golden Gate Bridge (depending on where you want to end up at). Sounds like a lot? Wait and see how long it may take you to drive up + find parking. If you are lucky, you can get to the Headlands from the Golden Gate Bridge in less than 15 minutes. Just come REALLY, EARLY (before 10am), otherwise, it may take a while... But once you are out and ready to explore, you will understand why this area is SO BEAUTIFUL and SIGNIFICANT. And here are several reasons why: -HAWK HILL (https://www.yelp.com/biz/hawk-hill-san-francisco): I have to say that this hill is totally WORTH waiting in traffic and struggling to find parking for. The view from the top is absolutely magnificent and beautiful. How I like to summarize my experience: Usually, it takes a person with real photography (and editing) skills to be able to create life-like pictures of landscapes to distribute onto the Interwebs. But here, you can EASILY do the same. The viewpoint is SO beautiful that you'll get those 10000000 likes that you've always wanted in no time. -POINT BONITA LIGHTHOUSE (https://www.yelp.com/biz/point-bonita-lighthouse-sausalito): To some, the Point Bonita Lighthouse may just be another Instagram opportunity. For me, it has become a "little light of mine"; it's an internal reminder that there's something beautiful and awe-inspiring about each and every lighthouse. I'm going to let it shine bright because the Point Bonita Lighthouse was so much more than I imagined. The experience, from the views to the history, was 10/10 perfect - definitely worth every second of your time. -POINT BONITA LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL (https://www.yelp.com/biz/point-bonita-trail-mill-valley): The trail leading up to the Point Bonita Lighthouse is living proof that the journey may mean more than the destination itself. And that's because this easy half-mile stretch provides one of THE BEST views of the coast that you can find near San Francisco. Plus, there's so much history here that you can't help but appreciate the beauty of this trail. Although the lighthouse is spectacular in its own right, very few paths can provide the same experience you get on the Point Bonita Trail. -RODEO BEACH (https://www.yelp.com/biz/rodeo-beach-sausalito): Though tiny, this is probably one of the most beautiful and relaxing beaches near San Francisco. The waves are quite majestic, the sand feels so soft to the touch, and the rocks here are so colorful and rare! When I went, I couldn't help but nab one of the rocks along the shoreline because it was something I had never seen before. The best part about Rodeo Beach though has to be the privacy; even on the weekends, it's fairly quiet and secluded here. -BATTERY ALEXANDER (http://www.fortwiki.com/Battery_Alexander): If you're interested in knowing what role the San Francisco Bay Area played during the World Wars/Cold War, check out Battery Alexander. Before coming here, I had ZERO idea that such a place existed so close to me. Though all but deserted, this concrete battery serves as a reminder of the area's history. Be careful, because this place is spooky. Gotta love the apocalyptic setting though! If I had to pick and choose the best place to hike around San Francisco, the Marin Headlands would 10/10 be near the top of my list. There's so many amazing hikes to do and sights to see here that it would take days to scale the entire park. I'm so glad I took the opportunity to visit because the Headlands provided such a unique window into the beauty and history of the Bay Area - a perspective I wouldn't have experienced elsewhere. I give the Marin Headlands an "omg, I'd travel 2 hours for this" rating. You bet I'll be back! Have fun and prosper, read more
11 years ago
I am in love with the Marin Headlands -- what a peaceful, gorgeous place, and all such a short drive away from San Francisco! This is a great place for a weekend day trip or even for just an afternoon getaway. I was expecting huge crowds (I went over Memorial Day weekend), so I went in the morning. Even so, parking was sometimes tricky, particularly around the Point Bonita lighthouse area. It was slightly cool, windy, and misty/foggy, but I really didn't mind at all -- pack a jacket though! If you're coming for view of the bridge, perhaps I would go here in the afternoon to avoid the clouds. There's plenty for everyone to do, but you never feel rushed. The Marine Visitor Center is pretty cool -- it's like a vet hospital / conservation center for sea lions and seals mostly, which was pretty cool to see. I didn't do this, but I imagine the hiking/running would be excellent here. There were a few bikers here as well, and I would love to come back and bike the Marin Headlands trail sometime in the future! The Marin Headlands is absolutely beautiful, one of the highlights of my time in SF, and I can't wait to be back. read more
5 years ago
Marin Headlands is a spectacular place to view the Golden Gate Bridge, and if on a clear day, Alcatraz, the San Francisco city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. We were fortunate to have visited on a beautiful clear and sunny day so got to see all the sights! There is parking and it's a short walk up a hill to the viewing area. read more
More info about Marin Headlands
948 Fort Barry
Sausalito, CA 94965
Directions
(415) 331-1540
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.nps.gov
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Ask the Community - Marin Headlands
Want to go with the family but can anyone answer if it's difficult to walk here if you don't usually hike and is it easy to get lost?
Easy family friendly trails along the coast. Walk as much or little as u want. Parking available everywhere and restrooms at the beach area
Where can you park when visiting?
There is generally ample parking at Rodeo Beach, Smith Road parking lot, and at the Visitor Center and Battery Alexander parking lots as well as other smaller lots along the roads. Weekends can be busy though and lots with a view do fill up.
Is it open to the public right now?
Please check here for detailed information: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/temporary-facilities-closure-advisory.htm
Review Highlights - Marin Headlands
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Marin Headlands - parks - Updated July 2026
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