Rodeo Beach: Coast Trail

Labor Day weekend we braved the traffic and headed across the bay to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands. The beach is popular with surfers and dogs and sand castle builders alike. Last time we were here the rest of the family took a hike up the hill while I hung out at the beach. This time I joined them! We headed up from the parking lot on the Coast Trail, taking the bike route since that's where the dog wanted to go. There was a lot of evidence of wild animals so she was probably hoping to meet a coyote. This was a steady climb up the hill, with beautiful views of the coast and the hills. Last year I couldn't have done this; this year it was fine. The area is an old WWII military base and the barracks are now being used by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We hiked up to the Townsley Battery and then headed across the hill and down toward the Marine Mammal Center and back to the parking area. Instead of going along the busy road, we walked through the barracks where we got to see the Blue Whale skeleton at the Nature Bridge offices. Very cool! We went about 2.5 miles. You could easily do longer and harder hikes here.

Information about Rodeo Beach and links to trail maps can be found here.
Complete photo set is here.