Golden Gate Overlook Walk
(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
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/golden-gate-bridge-welcome-center
Presidio Visitor Guide info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/visit/presidio-visitor-guide
Presidio Trail map (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation-internal/Shared%20Documents/presidio-trails.pdf
PresidiGo free Presidio transportation info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation/presidigo
Distance:
There is some variation in distance depending on whether hikers take the Coastal Trail with a passage by the toll plaza, or walk the trail that hugs the coast more closely and leads past Battery Godfrey, Battery Boutelle, Battery Marcus Miller, and Battery Cranston, with a passage under the east end of the Golden Gate Bridge to loop back up the hill to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. In either case, a round trip by the shortest route is less than 1 mile, and by the longer route that passes under the bridge is a round trip of about 1.5 miles. Most of the pathways are somewhat flat or have only a moderate incline.
Note: We typically do a longer walk from the Langdon Court Parking Lot and end up by the Warming Hut, Fort Point, or Crissy Field, but this post’s photo gallery covers the shorter walk noted above.
Considerations:
•There are toilet facilities by the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center parking area. We’ve spotted port-a-potties near the Langdon Court parking lot in the past, but no guarantees for toilet facilities there.
•The trails between the Golden Gate Overlook and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center 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 a older coast-hugging path that passes by several battery sites. Either way will get you to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center across the freeway.
•Much of this trail area is open with trailside foliage cut back well, but be on alert for poison oak.
•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 created 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 bridge 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.
Walkers often stop to climb around old battery structures. There are no guardrails to prevent falls, so use caution when climbing.
There is a somewhat direct path to the toll plaza and Welcome Center, but we always continue on the trail leading past Battery Marcus Miller and Battery Cranston. This leads to a little dip right under the end of the Golden Gate Bridge Structure.
At this point, walkers should keep an eye out for the split between bike paths and walking paths. Look for the sign and stairway leading up to the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza and Welcome Center. There are toilet facilities, information exhibits, as well as merchandise and food on offer here.
For those looking for an easy short walk with great scenery, the bridge plaza is the turnaround point for an approximately 1 mile round trip (1.5 if you take the outer battery trails described above), returning back to Langdon Court Parking Lot.
Even long time San Francisco residents appreciate the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking within close view is always a pleasure. (Golden Gate Overlook Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Reading Between the Lines” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area 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. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(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
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/golden-gate-bridge-welcome-center
Presidio Visitor Guide info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/visit/presidio-visitor-guide
Presidio Trail map (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation-internal/Shared%20Documents/presidio-trails.pdf
PresidiGo free Presidio transportation info link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation/presidigo
Distance:
There is some variation in distance depending on whether hikers take the Coastal Trail with a passage by the toll plaza, or walk the trail that hugs the coast more closely and leads past Battery Godfrey, Battery Boutelle, Battery Marcus Miller, and Battery Cranston, with a passage under the east end of the Golden Gate Bridge to loop back up the hill to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. In either case, a round trip by the shortest route is less than 1 mile, and by the longer route that passes under the bridge is a round trip of about 1.5 miles. Most of the pathways are somewhat flat or have only a moderate incline.
Note: We typically do a longer walk from the Langdon Court Parking Lot and end up by the Warming Hut, Fort Point, or Crissy Field, but this post’s photo gallery covers the shorter walk noted above.
Considerations:
•There are toilet facilities by the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center parking area. We’ve spotted port-a-potties near the Langdon Court parking lot in the past, but no guarantees for toilet facilities there.
•The trails between the Golden Gate Overlook and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center 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 a older coast-hugging path that passes by several battery sites. Either way will get you to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center across the freeway.
•Much of this trail area is open with trailside foliage cut back well, but be on alert for poison oak.
•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 created 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 bridge 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.
Walkers often stop to climb around old battery structures. There are no guardrails to prevent falls, so use caution when climbing.
There is a somewhat direct path to the toll plaza and Welcome Center, but we always continue on the trail leading past Battery Marcus Miller and Battery Cranston. This leads to a little dip right under the end of the Golden Gate Bridge Structure.
At this point, walkers should keep an eye out for the split between bike paths and walking paths. Look for the sign and stairway leading up to the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza and Welcome Center. There are toilet facilities, information exhibits, as well as merchandise and food on offer here.
For those looking for an easy short walk with great scenery, the bridge plaza is the turnaround point for an approximately 1 mile round trip (1.5 if you take the outer battery trails described above), returning back to Langdon Court Parking Lot.
Even long time San Francisco residents appreciate the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking within close view is always a pleasure. (Golden Gate Overlook Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Reading Between the Lines” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area 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. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
