Yep, this isn’t exactly Scott of the Antartic. It’s 2-3 laps of an athletic track to the middle.
Fwiw, I did this about 30years ago. Remember nothing except I walked through Candlestick park first.
That is so you.
checks Cal Fire website
checks Caltrans map
I hereby rescind my Hwy 37 recommendation.
Have you checked out Megabus to get there? We’ll be giving it a try next month.
Let us know how that goes. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi, not what you’d expect, have you gone yet? If you haven’t, now is the time to go! The weather is best and fog is minimal in San Francisco in Oct & Nov, but the weather will be changing soon. Go today if you can! Or at least this week.
Just 3 days ago I drove out to one of my favorite spots, at the north end of the bridge, to Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands. At 10 PM the weather was great — mild, very little wind, and clear skies that let the San Francisco city lights appear jewel-like in the night. I was in shorts and flip-flops and a sweatshirt and I was comfortable. (But the weather will be changing quickly. This week it should be good.) I brought a flashlight for the short, 400-500 yard walk from the parking spots out to the viewpoint, but it wasn’t really needed. I wouldn’t recommend flip-flops but they work. Tennis shoes would be fine. The short trail is mostly smooth.
The trail was lit well enough by the nearby bridge lights so I really didn’t need my flashlight. The night view was fantastic! From that point, you’re on a wide, easy, dirt trail surrounded by the empty hills of the Marin Headlands, with San Francisco stretched out in front of you. And you’re so close to the GG Bridge that it appears as if you can reach out and touch it. But you can’t of course, and it’s far enough away that it nicely frames San Francisco for a spectacular view.
This is what I saw last Friday night (web image, not my pic): https://www.google.com/search?q=view+of+san+francisco+from+battery+spencer&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=imsvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-9aCeg6rXAhWHxIMKHTpgC5MQ_AUIEigB&biw=768&bih=922#imgrc=Uat8bTAuIHo8kM:
Here is a daytime view (again, not my pic): https://www.google.com/search?q=view+of+san+francisco+from+battery+spencer&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=imsvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-9aCeg6rXAhWHxIMKHTpgC5MQ_AUIEigB&biw=768&bih=922#imgrc=1oteBhGERdfd3M:
I lived in SF for 20 years (1979-1999) but now I live about an hour south. That spot at Battery Spencer is one of my all-time favorites. I discovered it in 1977 when visiting from back east as a teen, and back then it was an empty place where almost nobody went — it was often empty, not a soul there. There were no fences or guard rails at the viewpoint nearest the GG Bridge, and if you got too close to the steep cliffs you could fall, probably to your death or at least you’d likely be in a world of hurt. There were no parking spots, just a pull-out at the side of the road. Over the past 40 years more and more people have found “my” spot, and these days there’s often a crowd. It is rarely empty like it often was in the late 1970s. Over the years more and more people have found my spot, and these days there’s always people there. On days during the tourist season, though, it can be a bit of a wait to get a parking spot. But it’s still remote enough that it’s often not very crowded. Still, at 10 PM last Friday night there were about 20 other people there.
40 years ago there were no fences. Just a simple warning sign. I hiked down the narrow ridge line to underneath the bridge’s north end. That was great. It was a little hairy at spots but really not too bad. But now it is all fenced off with stern warning signs.
Here is a map: viewpoint at the end of the trail (dashed line); parking is on Conzelman Road, shown (zoom in’.
… but I’ve digressed. You want to walk across the GG Bridge. And oysters too.
Like I said, go now while the weather is good and clear like it has been these past few weeks. Check the forecasts for rain though. I’m up in The City a lot these days and the weather is great. Friday and Saturday were nice and clear, sunny, and mild.
If you arrive around 10 AM this week, you’ll easily find parking. From Sacramento, the north end of the bridge is closest to you, about 1½ hours without traffic. Here is a map. But to get there you’d have to drive across the bridge and then come back. No problem’ because afterwards you’re ready to drive back to Sacramento. Or for good oysters (more on that later). From that spot it’s a 1-hr walk across the bridge.
That would be a good approach because when you drive across the bridge you can check the south end’s parking lot first. If there’s a space then grab it and start your walk from the south end. If not, drive north and park there. This week, at 10 or 11 AM, parking won’t be a problem.
Afterwards when you’re back in your car, check out Battery Spencer! You won’t be disappointed.
For great raw oysters, avoid San Francisco and its high prices. After Battery Spencer, a nice 1-hr drive through the countryside leads you to Tomales Bay. Go to Hog Island Oyster Co, 20215 Shoreline Hwy, Marshall, CA 94940. It’s rustic, it’s outdoors. Call ahead first. But on a nice day you’re along Tomales Bay and the oyster farm workers are nearby, sorting their catch. My wife and I went there a couple of weeks back and it is a great, rustic experience.
Map, Hog Island in Marshall CA: Google Maps
One last point about the GG Bridge: if you find yourself in or near San Francisco and don’t want to hassle with the parking and the traffic, just park your car and take Uber or Lyft in. It’s an inexpensive and easy way to get around. The cars are nice, and the drivers are friendly if you feel like chatting. But you can enjoy your ride in quiet too.
Enjoy your experience! If you do go please share your experiences good or bad so we can benefit. Thanks!
Apologies for my sometimes-lengthy posts, like above. I hope the info helps someone!
Thanks so much Bulitt. I will reply to your PM.