Travel Guide Marin Headlands

Windswept cliffs, superb views of San Francisco Bay, a valley untouched by construction and delightful beaches: the Marin Headlands are a rolling peninsula at the southern tip of Marin County. They lie opposite San Francisco, from which they are separated by the Golden Gate. The entire area is under the jurisdiction of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The highest point in the Marin Headlands is Hawk Hill, over 280 meters high. It is a favorite vantage point for the largest concentration of diurnal raptors in the Pacific Coast states.Tourist Office (Fort Barry; +1 415 331 1540; www.nps.gov). Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park and camping information, hiking maps, snacks. Very friendly rangers at the reception desk, who give expert advice. An unmissable spot to stay in the Marin Highlands, a jewel of unspoilt nature.