Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → San Francisco Bay Area → Marin Headlands

♦ Intrepid Top Pick!

Location: ~30 minutes north of San Francisco

Distance: varies depending on stops and amount of exploration

Elevation Gain/Loss: varies depending on stops and amount of exploration

Red Tape/Notes: no permit required, buildings that are okay for exploration are open and unlocked.

What’s Nearby?: Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge

If you’re the kind of person who likes urban exploration, history, hiking, and beautiful views, then this outing is for you! The headlands belonged to the military for decades, giving rise to all the military buildings, bunkers, and batteries that were used to protect the bay from the Spanish-American war to the Cold War. Battery Wallace is a great exploration spot just off of Conzelman Road – park your car in the available parking area and walk up through the tunnel to start your exploration.

Once you’re done exploring here, continue down Conzelman Road to the coast, stopping when you see anything interesting to explore, and heading down to Rodeo Beach for a stroll along the lagoon trail. Just north of Rodeo Beach is picturesque Fort Cronkhite, with its red roofs. When you’re done here, loop back along Bunker Road for more exploration opportunities.

This is a great outing for a picnic, because there are so many spots with beautiful views, you can stop at almost any time. Battery Wallace even has picnic tables! Plan ahead and do the 0.5 mile trail that runs halfway to Point Bonita Lighthouse; built in 1855, it was the third lighthouse built on the west coast. The trail is only open from 12:30pm – 3:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays so make sure you plan accordingly if you want this on your itinerary.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → San Francisco Bay Area → Marin Headlands