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

An estimated 10 million people, in one or another, 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 the most praise.

I’m referring to Kirby Cove. A small enclave on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge. It’s accessible via a 1.5-mile trail that leaves from Conzelman road (just up the way from Battery Spencer). You may not get a close view, but seeing the bridge span across the bay with waves crashing against the rocky shoreline is a stunning sight.

So how do you get there? Where do you park? Can you just drive down there? All of these questions and more will be addressed in this article. If you weren’t planning on making a trip out to San Francisco this year, you very well may change your mind after seeing what this magical spot looks like. Here we go…

Trail Information

Kirby Cove trailhead. San Francisco, California.

Directions

As stated above, Kirby Cove is located on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge (opposite of the city). 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 getting onto the bridge (or just coming off from the other side).

Take exit 442 to Alexander ave (We’re not kidding when we say it sneaks up on you. Be sure you’re paying attention or you’ll end up on the bridge and will have to pay toll)
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 travel along 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

Parking

During our first visit in 2016, you essentially had to get lucky finding a spot at one of the 2-3 tiny pullouts along the road. Battery Spencer would’ve been your best bet as it’s the largest. Sometime between then and our most recent visit in December 2020, though, things have changed.

By altering the route people take to get here and making it a one-way road, they’ve increased the available parking tenfold via setting up parking spots along the side of the road in addition to the pull-outs. Regardless of this, parking still fills fast.

Our advice? Just pull into the first spot you see. Whether it’s the side of the road or in a pull-out, just take it. If you decide to roll the dice on getting a spot further down the road, you risk there being nothing available and you’ll be forced to drive around again (remember the single lane tunnel?)

The Trail

Trail to Kirby Cove. San Francisco, California.

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 reach the signed trailhead.

Most people ask if they can just drive down there. The short answer is yes and no. The only real way to drive down is if you have a campground or event reservation (family reunion, birthday, etc.). Otherwise, you’re walking. If you want information on how to make a campground reservation, go here.

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 the campground. Just keep in mind that it can be a slog going back up so please stay hydrated.

Kirby Cove Campground

Once the trail flattens out and you’re under tree cover, you’ll hook a left into the campground. Here, bathrooms are available if you’re in need of relief. If you feel like you’ve lost the trail, look for the logs positioned on the ground just as you enter the campground (pictured above).

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. We’re assuming this is where events are held. Shortly past this area is where you’ll see the bridge pictured above.

Battery Kirby

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, making it nearly impossible for the enemy to see it from the water. If you'd like more information on the batteries around San Francisco Bay, go here.

Kirby Beach

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 with the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge providing the most amazing backdrop.

You’ll find stairwells on either side of you leading down to the beach. When we were here, there were quite a few fishermen here so if that’s your thing, bring your gear along. Most of the fishing seemed to take place on the right side of the beach but we did see one of the other end.

The Cave

Sea cave at Kirby Cove. San Francisco, California.

On the left side of the beach (facing the bridge) you’ll find a small sea cave cut into the rock wall. It isn’t much to look at but still cool, nonetheless. Access to it will depend on what the tide is doing. On our first visit, it wasn’t accessible but during our second visit, it was. If it looks sketchy, don’t risk it. As stated, it’s not much and isn’t worth being swept out to sea over.

Kirby Cove Swing

Believe it or not, the expansive view of the ocean and bridge wasn’t always what Kirby Cove was known for. Around 2015 or so, images of people on a swing with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background began to spread through Instagram like wildfire and 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 to work with was a cell phone (and not a good one), but my wife did manage to get a decent picture of me on it.

Sometime between then and December 2020, the swing was taken down. NPS officials have taken it down a couple times before but a new one always managed to take its place. Now, though, the tree itself has been cut down entirely. Eliminating any possibility of a return.

We don’t know the exact reason(s) why the NPS is so against that swing being there but we have our suspicions. Either someone was injured to the point a lawsuit was filed or the NPS just wanted to avoid it all together. It’s understandable, but also unfortunate because that swing was pretty cool.

I don’t see how it could ever return but if it ever does, we will update this.

Conclusion

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Thanks for reading and safe travels!

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