Photogenic, historic, and explorable bluffs await minutes from San Francisco.
At the Marin Headlands, a glorious, nearly pristine perch that starts at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can snap photos galore, take a scenic drive, hike easy or moderate trails, watch birds and other wildlife, bask in lofty and sea-level Pacific Ocean views, and investigate defunct civilian and military structures. Breathtaking even on a foggy or windswept rainy day, the headlands are best experienced when the sun shines bright and visibility is high.
Headlands Highlights
There’s plenty to keep you busy here, including these highlights:
Points of Interest
Walks and Hikes
- Battery Mendell to Battery Townsley (moderate)
- Coastal, Wolf Ridge, and Miwok Trails Loop (moderate)
- Rodeo Lagoon Trail Loop (easy)
- Rodeo Lagoon to Point Bonita Lighthouse (moderate)
The lighthouse and missile site have limited hours, but much of Marin Headlands is accessible any day of the week.
National Recreation Area
Run by the National Park Service, the Marin Headlands are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which includes Alcatraz and Muir Woods National Monument. Many visitors make the trip to the headlands, snap a few iconic shots from Battery East or other vista points, and then depart, but if you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just love scenic views, you’ll find a half-day or more is well spent here.
Itinerary
Getting Here
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. After exiting the tunnel heading west, drive a mile to McCullough Road and turn left for the Conzelman Road Vista Points, whose views include the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, or continue on Bunker Road, following signs to other headlands sites.
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 Baker-Barry Tunnel. After exiting the tunnel heading west, drive a mile to McCullough Road and turn left for the Conzelman Road Vista Points, whose views include the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, or continue on Bunker Road, following signs to other headlands sites.
If coming 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.
Info
Baker-Barry Tunnel, Sausalito 94965
More About Marin
Great Marin County Hikes
Marin County Basics
Marin County’s Bounty
Muir Woods National Monument
This story originally appeared in 2017; it was most recently updated in 2025.