Hidden hike, coveted camp the place the Golden Gate foghorn sounds

I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a kind of uncommon cloudless days on a current hike.

In case you are unfamiliar with this a part of the Marin Headlands, take Freeway 101 and exit at Alexander Avenue from each the north and south, then observe the indicators for the Golden Gate Bridge by the Baker-Barry Tunnel till you’ve gotten landed on Conzelman Highway.

There you can see various stunning vantage factors to view the bridge. To seek out Kirby Cove, drive so far as attainable alongside the one-way Conzelman Highway and park at Battery Spencer, the final lookout earlier than spitting again onto Freeway 101.

The path resulting in Kirby Cove within the Golden Gate Nationwide Recreation Space in April 2023. (Peter Burnett/Getty Photos and Eric Brooks/Particular to SFGATE)

The hike to Kirby Cove is slightly below a mile and begins on a gravel and grime street that’s closed to autos and only some yards west of the Battery Spencer lookout entrance. Indicators mark the path, so you possibly can’t miss it. This location is infamous for automotive theft (as many posted indicators warn), so make sure to not depart any valuables seen in your car. As I realized, pack an acceptable lunch at a picnic desk to take full benefit of this scenic spot. There are tons of eating choices close by in the event you overlook, together with some tasty eating places in Fort Baker throughout the north finish of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The path is average to steep. It is a lengthy descent or a protracted climb again to the automotive, nevertheless it goes up with a gradual incline.

On the best way down you’ll come throughout the Battery Wagner Path. This concrete battery, like Battery Kirby additional down and alongside the cliffs of the Marin Headlands, has lengthy since been deserted by the US navy presence that dominated this space many years in the past.

The Battery Wagner Path is a aspect mission on the best way to Kirby Cove. The north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge rises above the concrete battery. (Eric Brooks/Particular to SFGATE)

These days, they’re ripe for exploring, peeping and tagging (unlawful) graffiti. From the perch, it is an excellent spot for an additional distinctive and tranquil view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Again on the path, the descent twisted with more and more unbelievable vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the town of San Francisco staring again at me. I handed a couple of hikers however for probably the most half had the path to myself which is strictly what mountain climbing must be like.

On the backside of the path you will discover a stand of eucalyptus, pine and cypress, with lush grass, wildflowers and 5 campsites scattered throughout the panorama.

Some websites are higher positioned than others, together with the day-use website on the west aspect of the garden overlooking a shocking view of the Golden Gate Bridge by a line of timber rising subsequent to the picnic benches. It is unreal.

My favourite side of the view is, after all, that it is good to be on the seashore and look out on the bridge, however what I like is being in the midst of the campground with the tall timber, Vargas stated. You possibly can look by the tall timber and see the highest of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Guests may catch some wildlife, as deer, predatory birds and even bobcats have been noticed within the meadow. Whereas unusual, whales making their method into San Francisco Bay have been sighted from shore, Vargas added.

Even the previous Battery Kirby continues to be there, working as much as a seashore lookout.

These campsites, together with two accessible to individuals with disabilities, are extraordinarily tough to e-book. As in, you solely stand an opportunity in the event you act quick and are prepared to order a spot the second they’re on-line. Kirby Cove usually books to one hundred pc capability and normally books inside seconds of openings being launched, Vargas stated. It’s totally aggressive. It is sort of a hidden gem, however individuals who learn about it are prime get [the spots].

Every day campground reservation is just out there three months prematurely, and new openings come on-line each morning in the course of the seasonal campground window.

The campsites at Kirby Cove within the Golden Gate Nationwide Recreation Space in April 2023. It is rather aggressive. It is sort of a hidden gem,” stated a parks information. (Eric Brooks/Particular to SFGATE)

Maintain your horses, although. There’s a foggy maintain.

Earlier than you go planning to sleep within the lengthy, cool shade of the Golden Gate Bridge, ensure you know what you are entering into in the event you hope it is summer season camp.

You may hear foghorns all night time lengthy, Vargas defined. He’s suggested to convey ear plugs simply in case. Proper. These foghorns you hear within the distance (in the event you’re a San Francisco or Marin resident) can be only a half-mile away, hooked up to the Golden Gate Bridge’s central and south tower pier, as you attempt to sleep. That is three west-facing foghorns, to be precise.

As Van Morrison as soon as eloquently sang, this foghorn sounds.

Though the campground usually opens in mid-March, Kirby Cove stays closed in a single day resulting from California’s unprecedented winter storms. This winter has been so wet and inflicting a lot erosion that our initially scheduled opening date wasn’t sufficient time for repairs, Vargas stated. Crews nonetheless want to finish storm-related street upkeep earlier than welcoming campers again on, which might be as early as mid-April.

The season ends on November thirtieth.

The seashore itself is pristine. As you strategy the bridge, jagged rocks kind cliffs that stretch excessive above the sand. The waves present a sure calm because the hustle and bustle of the town stares at you from throughout the Golden Gate.

There’s even a creek uncovered by low tide simply past what gave the impression to be current landslide exercise. Beachgoers will see extra rock bluffs on the west aspect of the seashore and a brick tunnel that drains the canyon creek by Battery Kirby. Although spectacular, the cliffs on both aspect present shelter from the San Francisco Bay winds.

When it is time to ascend, be ready to sweat on scorching days. The trip again to the automotive is what Vargas known as a stable mile uphill. I wholeheartedly agree, nevertheless it’s a small value to pay for a brand new view of the Golden Gate Bridge.