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Golden Gate & Marin

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Overview

Golden Gate and Marin Headlands, a part of the larger Golden Gate National Recreation Area, offer spectacular recreational opportunities to millions of visitors each year. The park is situated just north of San Francisco and is bound by both the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The park is rich in varied histories from the Military to the Miwok Indians, including both Fort Barry and Cronkhite, the NIKE Missile site and the 150-year-old Point Bonita lighthouse. There is also an array of other attractions including hundreds of miles of trails, scenic beaches, and incredible vistas of San Francisco. On top of all this, wildflowers abound in the spring, and raptors migrate through the park in the fall. Visitors will undoubtedly enjoy this beautifully preserved open space in the otherwise over-built Bay Area.

To learn more about Golden Gate and Marin, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Mountain biking is allowed on certain trails in Marin Headlands. However, not all trails are open for mountain bike use so please respect the hiker-only trails and use the MTB Project mobile app to make sure you stay on the designated mountain bike legal trails.

Visiting Tips

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is open year round. Hours of visitor centers and other facilities at may vary by season. For more information, visit the park's website.

Fees & Passes:
There is no entrance fee for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sites, except for Muir Woods National Monument. Certain facilities may charge a reservation or use fee. To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
Marin Headlands offers several campgrounds for those looking to extend their stay in the park. Sites are limited and reservations are required. To learn more about camping in the park, click here.

  • Kirby Cove Campground: 5 sites. Open April 1 to October 31. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777
  • Haypress Campground: 5 sites. Groups may reserve the entire campground from November 1 to March 31. The remainder of the year, only three sites may be reserved.
  • Hawk Camp Campground: 3 sites. Groups may reserve the entire campground from November 1 to March 31. The remainder of the year, only one site may be reserved.
  • Bicentennial Campground: 3 sites. Available on a first come, first served basis.

Lodging:
While there are a host of lodging accommodations available in the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area, there are a couple options for lodging located in the park itself. The Inn at the Presidio is located in the Presidio and is a historic hotel that has been restored as a guest lodge. The Cavallo Point Lodge, located in Fort Baker, offers a unique history and contemporary lodging options. Another option for reasonably priced accomodation located in the park is the Marin Headlands Hostel.

Food & Drink

Visitors have their choice of dining options at the Presidio. The Crissy Field Warming Hut and Beach Hut Café are perfect for beverages, soup, or sandwiches after a stroll along the Crissy Field shoreline. The Dish Café, Acre Café, Presidio Café, Presidio Bowling Center, Presidio Social Club, and Disney Museum Café are all great options for a meal while exploring the Presidio.

Options at Lands End include Sutro's at the Cliff House, an elegant restaurant with some of the most spectacular views in the park. Call (415) 386-3330 for reservations. Louis' Restaurant is another option at Lands End. Visitors to Fort Mason can choose between Greens, a famous vegetarian restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner and also serves beverages and pastries throughout the day, and Cooks which offers a variety of sandwiches and soups. There are no food vendors in the Marin Headlands. It is recommended that visitors bring food and snacks with them. There is also a wide variety of dining options outside of the park.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Shuttles:
There is a free park shuttle that runs each weekend until September. Check this map for more information on shuttle stops. Addiitonally, the Presidio offers a free shuttle service. For more information on the PresidoGo Shuttle, click here.

Other Activities

When done exploring the miles of trails, enjoying the coastal scenery, and learning about the rich culture and history of Golden Gate and Marin Headlands, visitors can enjoy a variety of other outdoor activities in the area. There are many options for mountain biking and rock climbing in the San Francisco Bay area as well as the other units of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to explore.

Recommended Routes in Golden Gate & Marin - 5

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite At the Miwok Trail junction
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Tennessee Valley/Muir Beach Singletrack Highlights

20.7 mi 33.3 km 3,233' Up 985.27 m Up 3,235' Down 985.89 m Down

Tamalpa…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Biking at Marin County
Intermediate Intermediate

Golden Gate to Tennessee Beach Loop

17.9 mi 28.9 km 2,443' Up 744.76 m Up 2,477' Down 755.02 m Down

Sausalito, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite At the Miwok Trail junction
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach Short Loop

12.6 mi 20.3 km 1,973' Up 601.51 m Up 1,975' Down 601.86 m Down

Tamalpa…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Biking at Marin County
Intermediate Intermediate

Tennessee Valley to Horseshoe Bay

8.6 mi 13.8 km 1,145' Up 348.94 m Up 1,343' Down 409.2 m Down

Tamalpa…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Biking at Marin County
Intermediate Intermediate

Headlands Marincello Bobcat Miwok Old Springs

7.3 mi 11.8 km 1,310' Up 399.15 m Up 1,314' Down 400.65 m Down

Tamalpa…, CA
Explore in 3D

Golden Gate & Marin Biking

  • 37 Miles 60 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 9 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 20 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 1 Difficult Trail Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Golden Gate & Marin

Weather Averages


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Trails in Golden Gate & Marin - 25

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

3.1 mi 5.1 km #1Diaz Ridge
Intermediate Intermediate
Tamalpais Valley, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Tamalpais Valley, CA 19 
1.4 mi 2.2 km #2Old Springs Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA 15 
2.0 mi 3.2 km #3Bay Area Ridge Trail: Presidio Hill
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
San Francisco, CA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
San Francisco, CA
2.2 mi 3.5 km #4Middle Green Gulch
Intermediate Intermediate
Tamalpais Valley, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Tamalpais Valley, CA 13 
3.4 mi 5.5 km #5Miwok Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA 14 
1.6 mi 2.6 km #6Coastal Trail - Conzelman Rd. to Bunker Rd.
Intermediate Intermediate
Sausalito, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Sausalito, CA
2.0 mi 3.2 km #7Miwok Trail: Bunker Rd to Wolf Ridge
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA 10 
0.5 mi 0.8 km #8Slacker Ridge
Difficult Difficult
Sausalito, CA
Difficult Difficult
Sausalito, CA
1.8 mi 2.9 km #9Alta Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Marin City, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Marin City, CA
2.9 mi 4.7 km #10Bobcat Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Marin City, CA

Photos of Golden Gate & Marin - 41

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Biking at Marin County
Apr 15, 2013 near Marin City, CA
Lower portion of Diaz Ridge trail with Muir Beach in the background
Jul 22, 2013 near Tamalpa…, CA
Tennessee Valley from Old Spring Trail.
Dec 18, 2015 near Tamalpa…, CA
Tennessee Valley
Dec 18, 2015 near Tamalpa…, CA
Beautiful view of the valley helps the climb.
Sep 16, 2017 near Sausalito, CA
Going down Bobcat Trail (from Marincello Trail) back to Rodeo Valley Trail. Large trail, peaceful view of the valley.
Sep 29, 2018 near Marin City, CA
Full run of the trail.
Oct 13, 2020 near Tamalpa…, CA
View from highway 1
May 31, 2021 near Tamalpa…, CA
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