We did a gorgeous hike with great views in the Marin Headlands, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It’s located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The trail markings were less than stellar once we were several miles in, but the views of the bay made it all worth it.
We started the hike from the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, located in the historic Fort Barry Chapel, at the intersection of Field and Bunker Roads. It’s about 3 miles from either of the Marin Headlands entrances.
After walking to the Rodeo Lagoon (which was quite busy since it was an unusually warm day for San Francisco), we proceeded to walk along the coast. Where the trail met up with Mitchell Road, we took the Coastal Trail.
We took a meandering section of the Coastal Trail by the coast and then backtracked to the main section of the Coastal Trail, taking that up towards Battery Townsley. After an uphill climb we reached Hill 88, once a military site. It was a great spot for more photos of the San Francisco Bay down below.
We proceeded on the Coastal Trail to the junction with Miwok Trail, and took Miwok Trail all the way back down to Bunker Road and back to our starting point at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center.
Afterwards we walked back to Rodeo Lagoon for the obligatory stroll along the beach in bare feet. Ahhh!
Directions: Map to Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Distance: 7.5 miles
Vertical: 2000 feet