Kirby Cove Hike Near the Golden Gate Bridge

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People standing on Kirby Cove beach near San Francisco.

There are countless vantage points one could view the Golden Gate Bridge from. You can see it from the plazas on either side, Battery Spencer, or Fort Point National Historic Site, to name a few. Additionally, you could walk or bike across it.

An estimated ten million people visit the bridge every year. It is one of, if not the most significant and recognizable landmarks in not just California, but the entire world. I could write an entire article on the countless view points. There’s one, however, I feel deserves its own praise.

I’m referring to the Kirby Cove hike, a small enclave on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge. It’s accessible via a three mile, round trip trail. At the end of the trail on Kirby Beach, you’ll be treated to an incredible view of the bridge, with waves crashing against the rocky shoreline in the foreground.

So how do you get there? Where can you park? Can you drive down to Kirby Cove? All of these questions (and more) will be addressed. If you weren’t planning on making a trip out to San Francisco this year, you very well may change your mind after reading this post. Let’s get into it.

Kirby Cove Beach with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Trail Stats

  • Location: Marin Headlands (across from San Francisco)

  • Fee: None

  • Open: All year

  • Family Friendly: Yes

  • Cell Service: Spotty, but available

  • Restroom: Multiple vault-style toilets in the campground

  • Parking: Limited parking along the road and in a few small lots

  • EV Stations: None

  • Difficulty: Easy going in / easy to moderate on the way out

  • Popularity: Medium to high

  • Mileage: 3 miles, round trip

  • Elevation Gain: 610 feet

  • Condition: Easy to follow

  • Features: Views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, and remains of a couple military batteries

  • Pets: Not allowed

  • Drones: Not allowed

  • Hazards: Steep drop-offs, sun exposed trail, and high tide dangers

  • My Visit(s): 2016 and 2020

 

Kirby Cove Hike Information

The trailhead sign for the Kirby Cove hike near San Francisco.

How to Get There

As stated above, Kirby Cove is located on the Marin side of the bridge (opposite of SF). So if you’re already in the city, you’ll need to cross the bridge. If you’re coming into the city from the other side, the exit you’ll take is just before the bridge. To get to Kirby Cove…

  • Take exit 442 to Alexander Ave. (I’m not kidding when I say it sneaks up on you. Pay close attention or you’ll end up on the bridge)

  • Take a right on Alexander and shortly after, take a left on Bunker Road

  • You’ll come to the single lane, “Bunker-Berry Tunnel”. Since it’s one lane, traffic is regulated via signal lights. You will likely have to wait a bit here

  • You’ll drive Bunker Road for a few miles before coming to McCullough Road. Turn left here

  • When you come to the round-a-bout near Hawk Hill, you will take the Conzelman Road exit and continue straight until you reach the signed trailhead

 

Kirby Cove Parking

During our first visit in 2016, you essentially had to get lucky finding a spot at one of the two or three small pullouts along the road. Battery Spencer would’ve been your best bet as it’s the largest. Now, though, the traffic and parking situation has improved greatly.

By converting the main road that runs adjacent to Kirby Cove to a one-way, they’ve increased the available parking tenfold by setting up parking spots along the side of the road, in addition to adding several pull-outs. Regardless of this, parking still fills fast.

My advice is to just grab the first spot you come across. Whether it’s the side of the road or in a pull-out, just take it. If you roll the dice on finding a spot further down the road, you risk finding nothing and will be forced to circle around again.

 

Kirby Cove Trail

People walking the Kirby Cove hike near San Francisco.

The trail begins just up the way from the Battery Spencer parking lot. If you’ve managed to snag a parking spot here, congratulations! If you had to park further up, no worries. Simply walk down the road (on the dirt side) until you’ve reached the signed trailhead. The trail is right behind it.

Many people ask if they can drive to Kirby Cove. The short answer is yes and no. The only way to drive down is if you have a campground or event reservation (more on that below). Otherwise, you’re going to have to hike down.

The trail is relatively smooth (if you're used to mountain trails this one will feel like a breeze). It’s a steep-ish, 1.5-mile hike to the bottom and is mostly sun exposed until you reach Kirby Cove Campground. Save some water for the hike back out. It’s an uphill slog.

 

Kirby Cove Campground

A portion of the Kirby Cove campground near San Francisco.

When the trail starts to even out and you’re under tree cover, you’ll hook a left into Kirby Cove Campground. There are several vault-style toilets here, if needed. If you feel like you’ve lost the trail, just look for the logs positioned on the ground just as you enter the campground (pictured above).

If you’re interested in camping here, the Kirby Cove Campground is open between spring and the fall. It has five campsites, each capable of accommodating ten people, and features barbecue pits, picnic tables, and fire rings. Unfortunately, there’s no potable water.

A portion of the Kirby Cove campground near San Francisco.

Reserving a camp site or the day-use area is the only way to drive down to his point. When you receive your confirmation, you’ll be given an access code to open the gate at the top of the hill. These sites are tent-only, though. So you’ll need to park and walk your equipment to your site. For reservations, go here.

The campground is lush with cypress, eucalyptus, and pine trees providing plenty of shade. In the center of camp you’ll find a cluster of picnic tables and grills. This is the day-use are you can reserve for special events. Shortly past this area is where you’ll see the bridge pictured above. Cross it to continue the Kirby Cove hike.

 

Battery Kirby

The remains of Kirby Battery on the Kirby Cove hike.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll come across an old military artillery battery named, “Kirby Battery”. After construction in 1898, it was originally named, “Gravelly Beach Battery”, before being re-named to honor Lieutenant Edmund Kirby who died in 1853 during the Civil War.

This battery was built with concrete and had two M1895 mounted guns for defense. It was built in such a way where soldiers would have a commanding view of the bay while at the same time, being nearly impossible for enemy ships to see them. If you'd like more information on the batteries around San Francisco Bay, go here.

A photo of Kirby Battery on the Kirby Cove hike, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the backdrop.

You’re free to explore the battery’s remains all you like. There are several old structures around the battery and an old storm drain tunnel underneath it. I would avoid entering the tunnel as, unfortunately, it’s been wrought with garbage and god knows what else. Last time I visited it was sealed off.

There are several remains of historic military batteries all over both sides of the bay. Another spot on the Marin side is the Muir Beach Overlook, with numerous “dugouts” that were used during World War Two.

Two additional locations with batteries that are across the bridge in San Francisco include the Lands End Trail and Fort Point National Historic Site. The latter is a hiking trail along San Francisco’s coastal shores and the former is a preserved Civil War-era Army Fort situated underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Kirby Cove Beach

Kirby Cove Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Just beyond Battery Kirby is the overlook that provides some of the best views you’ll ever see. To your right, waves crash against a rocky shoreline with endless ocean views. To your left is where you’ll get more rocky shorelines, in addition to the Golden Gate Bridge providing an amazing backdrop.

You’ll find stairwells on either side that’ll lead you to the beach. When my wife and I were last here, there were quite a few fishermen so if that’s your thing, bring your gear along. Most of the fishing was taking place on the right side, but we did see one of the other end as well.

 

The Sea Cave

One of the sea caves on Kirby Cove beach near San Francisco.

On the left side of the beach (facing the bridge) you’ll find a small sea cave cut into the rock wall. Access to it will depend on the tide. On our first visit, it wasn’t accessible so for our second trip, we timed the tide just right. You can check tide times at this website.

It wasn’t nearly as impressive as the sea caves we explored on Hug Point Beach on the Oregon Coast (there’s also a waterfall there), but still cool, regardless. Don’t try it if the waves are sketchy. This isn’t a spot you’ll want to be trapped in.

 

Kirby Cove Swing Update 2024

The Kirby Cove Swing, now cut down.

Believe it or not, the expansive view of the ocean and bridge wasn’t always what the Kirby Cove hike was known for. Around 2015 or so, images of people on a swing with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background began to spread rapidly on Instagram. Due to this, Kirby Cove became an overnight sensation.

When we came here in 2016, the swing was there. At that time, I was just getting into photography and all I had was a cell phone (and not a good one), but my wife did manage to get a decent picture of me on it, that you can see above.

Sometime between then and December 2020, the swing was taken down. NPS officials have taken it down a few times, but a new one always managed to take its place. But officials have eliminated any further chance of its return by cutting the entire tree down.

I don’t know the exact reason why they were so against it, but I have my suspicions. Simply, either someone was injured to the point that a lawsuit was filed or the NPS just wanted to avoid it all together. It’s understandable, but unfortunate because that swing was pretty cool.

Kevin

One day I threw on a backpack, grabbed a camera, hit the trail, and never looked back. After all, great things never come from comfort zones.

https://www.inkedwithwanderlust.com
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