Sausalito Day Hikes, Bikes & Trails
Just across the Golden Gate, Sausalito has long seduced visitors with its waterfront restaurants and houseboats bobbing in the afternoon light. But linger past the tourist hour, lace up a decent pair of trail shoes, and you'll discover that this small city is quietly surrounded by some of the most rewarding day hiking in Northern California. From the wind-scoured ridgelines of the Marin Headlands to the cathedral redwoods of Muir Woods, the trails here ask only that you show up — and in return, they'll hand you views that make the whole Bay Area feel like it belongs to you alone.
Trail Map Legend
Marin Headlands
Only a 10-minute drive from the hotel, the National Park Service’s Marin Headlands offers 2100 acres of stunning open space. No matter what your fitness level, this adventure treats you to outstanding views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, historic military installations, a lighthouse, ocean vistas, an isolated carnelian pebbled beach, a fresh water lagoon, and the renowned Marine Mammal Center. While exciting in all weather, the Marin Headlands adventure is best on a clear day when the views aren’t shrouded in fog.
Drive It: An 11 mile driving loop south of the hotel winds up Alexander Avenue to Conzelman Road and the best Golden Gate view points and military sites, Rodeo Beach and Lagoon, and the Marine Mammal Center. On your return, take a short detour on the Bay side of the Headlands for stunning views of San Francisco, historic Fort Baker and the Discovery Museum – a great stop for kids. All sites are wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Bike It: A 12 mile strenuous bike loop follows the driving route south from the hotel, but then follows East Road to meander through Fort Baker where it quickly climbs under the Golden Gate Bridge to rejoin the driving route for spectacular views at Battery Spencer (475 ft.) and Hawk Hill (920 ft.). The ride then steeply declines as it winds past historic military sites down to Rodeo Beach and Lagoon. On your way back, take a short detour to the Marine Mammal Center. The level return via Mitchel and Bunker Roads brings you through a tunnel and back to Sausalito via Alexander Avenue.
Hike It: From trailheads off the driving route, the numerous hiking opportunities in the Marin Headlands include a short but steep hike to the historic working lighthouse at Pt. Bonita, a level 1.5 mile loop around Rodeo Lagoon, and a moderately strenuous 4.5 mile loop up to Wolf Ridge (960 ft.) where you will marvel at the encompassing views of the bustling San Francisco Bay Area contrasted with the serenity of Tennessee Valley and the Marin coastline.
Angel Island
Surrounded by San Francisco Bay, Angel Island State Park has been a Miwok Indian fishing site, cattle ranch, Civil War military base, quarantine and immigration station, World War II POW camp, and cold war missile site. No matter what mode of transportation you choose, you will see outstanding views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco and the Bay Area while experiencing the rich history of the island. Make sure to check the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry and tram schedules as they change seasonally.
Drive it: You can experience the wonders of Angel Island without hiking and entirely by car, ferry and tram. Follow the driving route north from the hotel to charming town of Tiburon and the Tiburon-Angel Island Ferry terminal. The ferry lands in Ayala Cove where you can purchase your tram tickets, lunch at the café or have a picnic. Visit the visitor’s center which was part of a Quarantine Station in the late 1880s and has natural and cultural history displays. The hour long roundtrip tram ride leaves from Ayala Cove, follows the Perimeter Road, and includes an audio history of the island. It stops briefly at Battery Ledyard to enjoy its panoramic view of the Bay Area.
Bike it: Bike or drive from the hotel to the Tiburon-Angel Island Ferry, bring your bike on the ferry, or rent one at Ayala Cove. The 10.5 mile bike ride from the hotel to the ferry terminal is fairly level and mostly on bike paths or back roads. The driving and bike routes separate at Highway 101 with the bike route travelling on a raised walkway over the marshlands of Pickelweed Inlet, turning east at Sycamore and south on Hamilton to pass back under 101, and circumventing Strawberry Point on Seminary and East Strawberry Drives. After a mile on Tiburon Blvd and Greenwood Beach Road, the route connects with the Tiburon Bike Path into Tiburon. Once on Angel Island, follow either Perimeter or Fire Roads around the island. No need to worry about cars - only park vehicles and the tram are allowed on the Island.
Hike it: On Angel Island, the fairly level 6 mile Perimeter Road loop provides access to all the historical sites and spectacular viewpoints such as Battery Ledyard. Alternatively, the moderately steep 6 mile loop hike up to Mount Livermore via the North Ridge Trail and down via the Sunset Trail offers unsurpassed 360° views of the entire Bay Area.
Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley cuts through the hills of the Marin Headlands to the Pacific Ocean just north of Sausalito. The valley, beach and cove are named for the 1853 wreck of the steam ship S.S. Tennessee, which mistook Tennessee Cove for the Golden Gate. The gentle trail through the valley to the ocean is magical and a local favorite which can be crowded on weekends. Steep hiking and biking trails can bring ambitious visitors up to the valley’s ridgetops for spectacular views.
Drive it: Travel north on Bridgeway from the hotel. Follow the signs for Shoreline Highway, ducking under Highway 101. In about ¾ of a mile turn left on Tennessee Valley Road. You will marvel at how quickly the area transforms from suburban Marin into a rural valley. At the trailhead check out the displays on Marincello and the history of the valley. If you are on your way to Muir Woods, Tennessee Valley is a quick detour. Cars are not allowed on Tennessee Valley Trail, but the trail to the beach is level and wheelchair/stroller and bike accessible.
Bike it: Drive your bike or bike to the Tennessee Valley Trailhead from the hotel via Sausalito’s car-free bike path and the often busy Shoreline High way and Tennessee Valley Road in Mill Valley. Once at the trailhead, it’s an easy 1.8 mile level ride out to the beach. For a serious workout, add the vigorous 7 mile loop up the Coastal Fire Road, east along the Coyote Ridge Trail, and returning to the trailhead via the Miwok Trail.
Hike it: Besides hiking out to the beach, ambitious hikers can add a strenuous and steep 3-7 mile loop up and along the northern ridge of the valley (Coyote Ridge, 1031 ft.) which offers views of the Pacific Ocean to the west, Muir Beach and Green Gulch to the north, Berkeley and Oakland to the east, and San Francisco and Ocean Beach to the south. Return to the Valley via the Fox (3 mile loop) or Miwok trails (7 mile loop).