Marin Headlands — Hawk Hill Loop
Distance
4.8 mi
Elevation gain
980 ft
Duration
2–3 hrs
Surface
Paved road, dirt trail
✓ Dogs allowed on leash
About this hike
A compact loop from Rodeo Beach over Hawk Hill with Golden Gate views the entire way. September through November, Hawk Hill is one of the top raptor migration watch sites in North America — thousands of hawks pass on good days. Year-round, the views of the bridge, San Francisco, and the Marin coast are some of the best accessible from the Bay.
Highlights
- ✦Golden Gate Bridge from directly above — one of the finest views in the Bay
- ✦Raptor migration September–November: up to 2,000 hawks in a single day
- ✦WWII-era battery bunkers scattered throughout the headlands
- ✦Rodeo Beach's unusual dark sand and colored pebbles
Practical tips
- →Park at Rodeo Beach — it's free and has restrooms
- →Morning visits offer the clearest light on the bridge before afternoon fog
- →Wind on the ridge can be strong; bring a layer
- →Combine with the Tennessee Valley Trail for a longer day