Great Marin County Hikes – Marin Headlands Battery Mendell to Battery Townsley

Abandoned military sites and sweeping ocean views make for a memorable stroll.

Two abandoned gun emplacements with marvelous ocean views bookend this 4-mile round-trip Marin Headlands hike from Battery Mendell to Battery Townsley. The coastal trek takes you across a lofty, iceplant-covered dune and along a beach that edges a lagoon frequented by large and small waterfowl.

Battery Mendell

After arriving at the parking lot near Battery Mendell (see full directions below), explore that emplacement. Atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific, Battery Mendell (sometimes spelled Mendel) exists in a photogenic state of decay.

Rodeo Beach

Walk north up Field Road to the Battery Alexander parking lot; at its northwestern corner, you’ll find a trail that leads across a dune to Rodeo Beach.

Battery Townsley

Enjoy the views of the Pacific to the west and Rodeo Lagoon to the east before continuing north up the hiking portion (a dirt path, as opposed to the paved biking section) of the Coastal Trail to Battery Townsley.

From here, you can backtrack directly to Battery Mendell or extend your hike on the 1.5-mile Rodeo Lagoon Trail Loop before returning to Mendell.

Battery Mendell to Battery Townsley Details

Difficulty level:  Easy to moderate

Why locals love it:  Rugged beauty; varied terrain; coastal views

Cut to the chase:  Explore Battery Mendell and hike to Rodeo Beach.

Reward yourself:  Head over to Firehouse Coffee & Tea or Lappert’s Ice Cream, both in Sausalito.

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Getting Here 

Battery Mendell is at the intersection of Field Road and Mendell Road.

By Car

If heading north from San Francisco: After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Alexander Avenue exit, and turn right; after a tenth of a mile, turn left onto Bunker Road to the Baker-Barry Tunnel. Exit the tunnel and continue on Bunker Road 2.5 miles to Field Road and take a left. After another mile, Field Road dead-ends at the parking lot for Point Bonita and Battery Mendell.

If heading south on U.S. 101 from anywhere in Marin: Take the Alexander Avenue exit and turn right. You’ll pass under U.S. 101 before turning left (about a quarter-mile from the exit) on Bunker Road to reach the tunnel. Exit the tunnel and continue on Bunker Road 2.5 miles to Field Road and take a left. After another mile, Field Road dead-ends at the parking lot for Point Bonita and Battery Mendell.

If heading south from downtown Sausalito: Drive south on Bridgeway, turning right on Richardson Street, left on Second Street, and left on South Street, which becomes Alexander Avenue. Turn right at Bunker Road a little less than a mile later, following the above directions to BatteryMendell.

Tip: If the lot near Battery Mendell is full, you can park at the YMCA (it’s at Conzelman and Field roads) or nearby Battery Alexander.

Info

Battery Mendell
Trailhead, Battery Alexander parking lot

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More Hikes Locals Love

Abbotts Lagoon
Coastal Trail to Bass Lake and Alamere Falls
Coastal, Wolf Ridge, Miwok Trails Loop
Dipsea Trail
East Peak Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais Muir Woods Loop
Olompali State Park
Rodeo Lagoon to Point Bonita Lighthouse
Rodeo Lagoon Trail Loop
Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Steep Ravine to Matt Davis Loop
Tennessee Valley
Tule Elk Preserve

This story first appeared online in 2017; it was fact-checked and updated in 2025.