Golden Gate Overlook to Warming Hut
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Golden Gate Overlook, off Langdon Court Parking Lot, the Presidio, San Francisco, near Battery Godfrey
Starting Point: Langdon Court Parking Lot, Langdon off Lincoln Blvd., western side of the Presidio, San Francisco, near Battery Godfrey and the Golden Gate Overlook
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Overlook info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/golden-gate-overlook
California Coastal Trail info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/trails/california-coastal-trail
Warming Hut Park Store info link (parksconservancy.org):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/services/warming-hut-park-store
Warming Hut Park Store info link (Presidio.gov):
https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/warming-hut-park-store
Presidio maps (Presidio.gov):
https://presidio.gov/visit/presidio-park-maps
Presidio Trail map (Presidio.gov):
https://wp.presidio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Trails-Map-Accessible.pdf
PresidiGo free Presidio transportation info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation/presidigo
Distance:
From the Langdon Court parking area and the Golden Gate Overlook, the trail that hugs the coast and leads past Battery Godfrey and Battery Boutelle, then meets the Coastal Trail along Battery Marcus Miller, and Battery Cranston, is less than half a mile to get to the paved road that passes under the Golden Gate Bridge base. The remainder of the hike described below, mostly along Battery East Trail, may add up to just over half a mile. Distances are not marked clearly on maps, but this is approximately a mile out and a mile back, for a round trip of about two miles with some stairs and hills.
Note: For a shorter walk that goes to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center instead of down to the Warming Hut, see Golden Gate Overlook Walk.
Considerations:
• Langdon Court parking for the Golden Gate Overlook has become very popular as people share photos of the views on social media. Weekend parking can get fairly full, but there are paid Presidio parking options across Lincoln Blvd.
• There are toilet facilities by the Warming Hut at the end of this hike. There are no toilet facilities at Langdon Court as of this writing.
• The trails between the Golden Gate Overlook and the base of the Golden Gate Bridge have been upgraded in recent years. Watch for signs regarding old trails now marked as off limits. There is a newer footbridge trail option and an older coast-hugging path that passes by several battery sites.
• Much of this trail area is open with trailside foliage cut back well, but avoid poison oak in the thicker brush at the lower part of the hike.
• The online map apps, the trail markers, and the online maps provided by the Presidio do not all match up well. Keep an eye on the trail markers to follow the instructions for this hike.
• Layered clothing is always suggested. Hot sun can quickly turn to cold foggy wind.
The trail:
The Langdon Court Parking Lot is a good starting spot for walks in more than one direction. Straight toward the coast from the parking area is the coastal view past Battery Godfrey. That stretch of trail, with its great coastal view, has been shortened with signs now instructing walkers to stay off old paths and backtrack a bit to take the new upgraded trail.
Just up a little hill from the parking lot, is the recently very popular Golden Gate Overlook, which can be a stop spot at the start or end of this walk. The straight-on views of the bridge are amazing, whether blown up through a telephoto lens, or framed through two large trees that stand on either side of the bridge view.
The updated trail connector leads to a footbridge path. We prefer the older trail that dips down in front of Battery Godfrey. A walk up the steps of the battery meets up with where the new footbridge structure connects to the scenic path leading toward the bridge.
This coast-hugging stretch of trail includes grand views of the Golden Gate Bridge facing north, the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes in the far distance facing northwest, and Baker Beach and the tip of Lands End facing south.
The path from the footbridge to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge is the popular Coastal Trail. A short few steps past the bridge base brings hikers to a split in the paved path, with the Coastal Trail on the right leading to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (see the Golden Gate Overlook Walk Hike Notes), and Battery East Trail on the left. Take the Battery East Trail for this hike to the Warming Hut.
The views of the Golden Gate Bridge are stunning from every viewpoint, and this hike shifts directions, offering views from different angles. Watch for the Battery East Trail sign that says “Steep Slope” and has a left arrow saying “150 feet to the picnic area.” There is a steep, curving paved roadway/path that curves down to the Golden Gate picnic spot. This offers a good resting spot with views before passing through the Presidio Battery East Tunnel. The tunnel has low clearance, so even those of moderate height need to be careful and bend low at the entrance.
The Battery East Trail sign at the tunnel says 0.2 miles to Crissy Field. There is a dirt path that leads walker through greenery on both sides after exiting the tunnel. Watch for the Battery East Trail sign marker with a left arrow directing walkers to the Battery East Trailhead and Bay Trail/Presidio Promenade.
Turn left and follow the curving path through more greenery until you come to a big open view of the Golden Gate Bridge with a bench. There are also views of Alcatraz and the fishing pier that juts out from the Warming Hut area.
Continue along this path until you reach the Battery East Trail marker requiring a left turn down a set of stairs, indicating that the Warming Hut and restrooms are nearby, at the bottom of the stairs. These wooden stairs go past picturesque trees, and are visually enticing whether on a sunny day or in fog.
At the bottom of the stairs, a quick cross of the road brings visitors to the Warming Hut, and the fishing pier where sea lions often bark as they swim under the wooden structure. Fort Point is also a short walk away, and those who wish to explore Crissy Field more can continue on past the Warming Hut. The return trip via the same path involves climbing back up the stairs, but not too much climbing other than that.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is alluring for both tourists and longtime residents. It is postcard perfect from any angle. (Golden Gate Overlook to Warming Hut Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Love Affair with a Bridge” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Golden Gate Overlook, off Langdon Court Parking Lot, the Presidio, San Francisco, near Battery Godfrey
Starting Point: Langdon Court Parking Lot, Langdon off Lincoln Blvd., western side of the Presidio, San Francisco, near Battery Godfrey and the Golden Gate Overlook
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Overlook info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/golden-gate-overlook
California Coastal Trail info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/trails/california-coastal-trail
Warming Hut Park Store info link (parksconservancy.org):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/services/warming-hut-park-store
Warming Hut Park Store info link (Presidio.gov):
https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/warming-hut-park-store
Presidio maps (Presidio.gov):
https://presidio.gov/visit/presidio-park-maps
Presidio Trail map (Presidio.gov):
https://wp.presidio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Trails-Map-Accessible.pdf
PresidiGo free Presidio transportation info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation/presidigo
Distance:
From the Langdon Court parking area and the Golden Gate Overlook, the trail that hugs the coast and leads past Battery Godfrey and Battery Boutelle, then meets the Coastal Trail along Battery Marcus Miller, and Battery Cranston, is less than half a mile to get to the paved road that passes under the Golden Gate Bridge base. The remainder of the hike described below, mostly along Battery East Trail, may add up to just over half a mile. Distances are not marked clearly on maps, but this is approximately a mile out and a mile back, for a round trip of about two miles with some stairs and hills.
Note: For a shorter walk that goes to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center instead of down to the Warming Hut, see Golden Gate Overlook Walk.
Considerations:
• Langdon Court parking for the Golden Gate Overlook has become very popular as people share photos of the views on social media. Weekend parking can get fairly full, but there are paid Presidio parking options across Lincoln Blvd.
• There are toilet facilities by the Warming Hut at the end of this hike. There are no toilet facilities at Langdon Court as of this writing.
• The trails between the Golden Gate Overlook and the base of the Golden Gate Bridge have been upgraded in recent years. Watch for signs regarding old trails now marked as off limits. There is a newer footbridge trail option and an older coast-hugging path that passes by several battery sites.
• Much of this trail area is open with trailside foliage cut back well, but avoid poison oak in the thicker brush at the lower part of the hike.
• The online map apps, the trail markers, and the online maps provided by the Presidio do not all match up well. Keep an eye on the trail markers to follow the instructions for this hike.
• Layered clothing is always suggested. Hot sun can quickly turn to cold foggy wind.
The trail:
The Langdon Court Parking Lot is a good starting spot for walks in more than one direction. Straight toward the coast from the parking area is the coastal view past Battery Godfrey. That stretch of trail, with its great coastal view, has been shortened with signs now instructing walkers to stay off old paths and backtrack a bit to take the new upgraded trail.
Just up a little hill from the parking lot, is the recently very popular Golden Gate Overlook, which can be a stop spot at the start or end of this walk. The straight-on views of the bridge are amazing, whether blown up through a telephoto lens, or framed through two large trees that stand on either side of the bridge view.
The updated trail connector leads to a footbridge path. We prefer the older trail that dips down in front of Battery Godfrey. A walk up the steps of the battery meets up with where the new footbridge structure connects to the scenic path leading toward the bridge.
This coast-hugging stretch of trail includes grand views of the Golden Gate Bridge facing north, the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes in the far distance facing northwest, and Baker Beach and the tip of Lands End facing south.
The path from the footbridge to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge is the popular Coastal Trail. A short few steps past the bridge base brings hikers to a split in the paved path, with the Coastal Trail on the right leading to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (see the Golden Gate Overlook Walk Hike Notes), and Battery East Trail on the left. Take the Battery East Trail for this hike to the Warming Hut.
The views of the Golden Gate Bridge are stunning from every viewpoint, and this hike shifts directions, offering views from different angles. Watch for the Battery East Trail sign that says “Steep Slope” and has a left arrow saying “150 feet to the picnic area.” There is a steep, curving paved roadway/path that curves down to the Golden Gate picnic spot. This offers a good resting spot with views before passing through the Presidio Battery East Tunnel. The tunnel has low clearance, so even those of moderate height need to be careful and bend low at the entrance.
The Battery East Trail sign at the tunnel says 0.2 miles to Crissy Field. There is a dirt path that leads walker through greenery on both sides after exiting the tunnel. Watch for the Battery East Trail sign marker with a left arrow directing walkers to the Battery East Trailhead and Bay Trail/Presidio Promenade.
Turn left and follow the curving path through more greenery until you come to a big open view of the Golden Gate Bridge with a bench. There are also views of Alcatraz and the fishing pier that juts out from the Warming Hut area.
Continue along this path until you reach the Battery East Trail marker requiring a left turn down a set of stairs, indicating that the Warming Hut and restrooms are nearby, at the bottom of the stairs. These wooden stairs go past picturesque trees, and are visually enticing whether on a sunny day or in fog.
At the bottom of the stairs, a quick cross of the road brings visitors to the Warming Hut, and the fishing pier where sea lions often bark as they swim under the wooden structure. Fort Point is also a short walk away, and those who wish to explore Crissy Field more can continue on past the Warming Hut. The return trip via the same path involves climbing back up the stairs, but not too much climbing other than that.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is alluring for both tourists and longtime residents. It is postcard perfect from any angle. (Golden Gate Overlook to Warming Hut Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Love Affair with a Bridge” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
