Kirby Cove, Conzelman Road/Battery Spencer, Sausalito, CA 94965
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Marin Headlands, just north and west of the Golden Gate Bridge
From the south, take Highway 101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge, and take the Alexander Avenue exit (right after the Vista Point exit). Turn left at the stop sign after a brief drive down the exit ramp. Drive through the short tunnel, and turn right up the hill on Conzelman Road.
From the north, take Highway 101 south and take the last Sausalito exit, just before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn left at the stop sign, then make an immediate right up the hill on Conzelman Road.
Watch for signs indicating Marin Headland locations.
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Kirby Cove information:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/kirby.htm
Kirby Cove Accessibility information:
NPS website (see above) notes that for those with disabilities, arrangements can be made to allow vehicle access to the Kirby Cove picnic site for those with a valid DMV placard.
Map with trails:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Distance: It is about 1 mile from the Kirby Cove trailhead down to the beach, making for a 2 mile round trip hike back to the top of the trailhead. Consider extra distance in light of possible additional walking from a parking spot at a distance from the trailhead.
Considerations: The sign for the Kirby Cove trailhead is shortly up the hill where parking is visible for one of the battery sites on the left side as you drive up Conzelman Road. The vehicle gate to the Kirby Cove road is locked. Access is given to those with camping reservations.
Parking near the trailhead is limited. It may be necessary to drive further up the hill to park at more distant parking locations, meaning there will be a hike along the cliff side to get to the Kirby Cove trailhead.
Once you hit the battery tunnels at the top of the hill, you are facing the one-way stretch of Conzelman Road. That one way part of Conzelman is my favorite stretch of road just about anywhere, but if your goal is Kirby Cove, turn around and search for parking again facing downhill.
Heed the signs warning about car security.
There are pit toilets at the Kirby Cove camp area. Other facilities are available further up hill on Conzelman before the one way road starts.
Camp sites are available but always in high demand.
Reservations and other info:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/kirby-cove-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70972
The trail:
There is a dramatic change in elevation, so be prepared for steep sections of road/trail. There is one main route down, with the trail branching a bit down at the campsite areas above the beach. The beach makes for a great resting spot to get ready to hike the mile back up the steep hill.
The trail has enjoyable twists and turns that start at bridge height level and wind down to the beach. The glorious views at every turn eventually become blocked by trees near the camping area. The vistas open up again at the beach, with a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are stairs that lead down to the beach on either side. A beloved rope swing may or may not be available. Rope swings tend to disappear and reappear again at these kinds of places.
There is a brick tunnel opening to the center of the beach. Behind that area is an old battery structure to explore (Battery Kirby).
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Kirby Cove Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Mother's Day Remembrance” 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: Marin Headlands, just north and west of the Golden Gate Bridge
From the south, take Highway 101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge, and take the Alexander Avenue exit (right after the Vista Point exit). Turn left at the stop sign after a brief drive down the exit ramp. Drive through the short tunnel, and turn right up the hill on Conzelman Road.
From the north, take Highway 101 south and take the last Sausalito exit, just before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn left at the stop sign, then make an immediate right up the hill on Conzelman Road.
Watch for signs indicating Marin Headland locations.
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Kirby Cove information:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/kirby.htm
Kirby Cove Accessibility information:
NPS website (see above) notes that for those with disabilities, arrangements can be made to allow vehicle access to the Kirby Cove picnic site for those with a valid DMV placard.
Map with trails:
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Distance: It is about 1 mile from the Kirby Cove trailhead down to the beach, making for a 2 mile round trip hike back to the top of the trailhead. Consider extra distance in light of possible additional walking from a parking spot at a distance from the trailhead.
Considerations: The sign for the Kirby Cove trailhead is shortly up the hill where parking is visible for one of the battery sites on the left side as you drive up Conzelman Road. The vehicle gate to the Kirby Cove road is locked. Access is given to those with camping reservations.
Parking near the trailhead is limited. It may be necessary to drive further up the hill to park at more distant parking locations, meaning there will be a hike along the cliff side to get to the Kirby Cove trailhead.
Once you hit the battery tunnels at the top of the hill, you are facing the one-way stretch of Conzelman Road. That one way part of Conzelman is my favorite stretch of road just about anywhere, but if your goal is Kirby Cove, turn around and search for parking again facing downhill.
Heed the signs warning about car security.
There are pit toilets at the Kirby Cove camp area. Other facilities are available further up hill on Conzelman before the one way road starts.
Camp sites are available but always in high demand.
Reservations and other info:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/kirby-cove-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70972
The trail:
There is a dramatic change in elevation, so be prepared for steep sections of road/trail. There is one main route down, with the trail branching a bit down at the campsite areas above the beach. The beach makes for a great resting spot to get ready to hike the mile back up the steep hill.
The trail has enjoyable twists and turns that start at bridge height level and wind down to the beach. The glorious views at every turn eventually become blocked by trees near the camping area. The vistas open up again at the beach, with a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are stairs that lead down to the beach on either side. A beloved rope swing may or may not be available. Rope swings tend to disappear and reappear again at these kinds of places.
There is a brick tunnel opening to the center of the beach. Behind that area is an old battery structure to explore (Battery Kirby).
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Kirby Cove Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Mother's Day Remembrance” 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
