Point Bonita Lighthouse, Field Road, Building PB-0001, Sausalito, CA 94965
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:
The Point Bonita Lighthouse Parking Lot is at the end of Field Road, southwest of the Marin Headlands Visitor Center and south of Rodeo Beach and Rodeo Lagoon. The exits on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge lead to the Marin Headlands, whether via Conzelman Road (one-way and very windy for one stretch) or Bunker Road. See link below for detailed directions, or use map direction link of your choice.
(If any links don’t jump directly, cut and paste into browser.)
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Point Bonita Lighthouse information:
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/point-bonita.html
https://www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm
Map with trails:
(Scroll to the lower left map section for the area specifically including Point Bonita Lighthouse.)
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Distance: If you park at the Point Bonita Parking Lot, the walk is only about 0.5 miles to the lighthouse. The short 1 mile round trip involves a steep downhill to get to the tunnel entrance, and requires a steep uphill climb for the return. There is fairly limited parking at the Point Bonita Parking Lot, but there are other parking options nearby as seen on the map (see map links).
Considerations: The area around Point Bonita Lighthouse is stunning, and makes for an enjoyable visit anytime. To actually see the lighthouse itself, check the web site for current open times. Tunnel/lighthouse may be closed due to weather. Call the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at (415) 331-1540 for more information. Check information links above before going as open times may change.
The heavy metal tunnel door is closed other than during the open times notes on the website schedule. People may line up at the tunnel entrance well ahead of opening time. The tunnel is dark and narrow, but quite short. On our visits, only 50 people at a time were allowed on the lighthouse itself. Rangers count people as they go on and off the bridge to the lighthouse. Patience is required on busy days, but even our very anxious autistic son has managed the wait more than once.
The bridge is wobbly when you get to the middle. (For animation enthusiasts, think Donkey crossing a wobbly bridge nervously with Shrek.)
Almost all locations on this site involve easily changeable weather and temperatures. Wear layers.
Toilet facilities are available at the parking lot/trailhead.
The trail:
There is a short but steep stretch, so there is some challenge even if you are only walking from the parking lot down to the tunnel entrance and lighthouse.
This tends to be less of a hike and more of a destination involving a short walk.
But what a glorious view there is in that short distance. The San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a fascinating waterline sometimes with sea mammals at play below as you face the bridge. The sparkling (or misty) Pacific as you face west. This is a heart melting place to be at sunset.
During the right season, whales may be spouting offshore. We had great views of them from the lighthouse itself, but good eyesight or binoculars along with luck of the season means you may see whales, harbor seals, or porpoises if you watch long enough.
For more of a walk, the parking lot also has a trail leading to Battery Mendell, and there are other options for making longer hikes from this location.
Future posts will cover these and other hike options from this general location.
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Point Bonita Lighthouse Hike Notes were originally paired with the “The Essence Remains” 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:
The Point Bonita Lighthouse Parking Lot is at the end of Field Road, southwest of the Marin Headlands Visitor Center and south of Rodeo Beach and Rodeo Lagoon. The exits on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge lead to the Marin Headlands, whether via Conzelman Road (one-way and very windy for one stretch) or Bunker Road. See link below for detailed directions, or use map direction link of your choice.
(If any links don’t jump directly, cut and paste into browser.)
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Point Bonita Lighthouse information:
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/point-bonita.html
https://www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm
Map with trails:
(Scroll to the lower left map section for the area specifically including Point Bonita Lighthouse.)
https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/map_mahe_150429_508_2021.pdf
Distance: If you park at the Point Bonita Parking Lot, the walk is only about 0.5 miles to the lighthouse. The short 1 mile round trip involves a steep downhill to get to the tunnel entrance, and requires a steep uphill climb for the return. There is fairly limited parking at the Point Bonita Parking Lot, but there are other parking options nearby as seen on the map (see map links).
Considerations: The area around Point Bonita Lighthouse is stunning, and makes for an enjoyable visit anytime. To actually see the lighthouse itself, check the web site for current open times. Tunnel/lighthouse may be closed due to weather. Call the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at (415) 331-1540 for more information. Check information links above before going as open times may change.
The heavy metal tunnel door is closed other than during the open times notes on the website schedule. People may line up at the tunnel entrance well ahead of opening time. The tunnel is dark and narrow, but quite short. On our visits, only 50 people at a time were allowed on the lighthouse itself. Rangers count people as they go on and off the bridge to the lighthouse. Patience is required on busy days, but even our very anxious autistic son has managed the wait more than once.
The bridge is wobbly when you get to the middle. (For animation enthusiasts, think Donkey crossing a wobbly bridge nervously with Shrek.)
Almost all locations on this site involve easily changeable weather and temperatures. Wear layers.
Toilet facilities are available at the parking lot/trailhead.
The trail:
There is a short but steep stretch, so there is some challenge even if you are only walking from the parking lot down to the tunnel entrance and lighthouse.
This tends to be less of a hike and more of a destination involving a short walk.
But what a glorious view there is in that short distance. The San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a fascinating waterline sometimes with sea mammals at play below as you face the bridge. The sparkling (or misty) Pacific as you face west. This is a heart melting place to be at sunset.
During the right season, whales may be spouting offshore. We had great views of them from the lighthouse itself, but good eyesight or binoculars along with luck of the season means you may see whales, harbor seals, or porpoises if you watch long enough.
For more of a walk, the parking lot also has a trail leading to Battery Mendell, and there are other options for making longer hikes from this location.
Future posts will cover these and other hike options from this general location.
As usual, the photo gallery here includes images from both blue sky days and overcast days. It’s beautiful either way.
(Point Bonita Lighthouse Hike Notes were originally paired with the “The Essence Remains” 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
