Oakwood Trail, Marin Headlands

Looking to escape the hustle of San Francisco, but don't want to commit to an entire day on the trail? When setting out for this morning hike, be prepared for about 1.5 hour hiking adventure (longer if you stop for extra photos) and a 20 minute commute from San Francisco. 

 This hike is recomended early morning for several reasons:

• Fewer people on the trail & fewer people looking for a place to park.
• The fog is likely to be just burning off, giving you epic views all around.
• Shorter commute time across the Golden Gate Bridge. Traffic tends to pick up around 9AM.

From Highway 1, you'll take Tennessee Valley Road for about one mile. After Enterprise Concourse, begin looking for the white metal gate on your left hand side. Just after the gate, parking will be available on the right side of the road. You'll know you're in the right place because there will be an additional trailhead on your right and the parallel parking area will be a very fine gravel.

Head into the Oakwood Valley Trail. After about a half mile, you'll begin a slight ascent that will continue getting steeper. As you climb towards the sky, don't forget to look back. Depending on conditions the fog will encompass you, or will sit perfectly in the valleys of the hills. 

Oakwood Valley Trail will continue around, you'll until you hit Alta Trail. Take a right on Alta Trail. This will become somewhat of a wide, dirt/gravel, fire road. Now, you can enjoy a leisure, flat walk with your face beaming in the sunshine... or covered in misty fog. 

After another mile under your boots, you'll turn a corner and see the giant trees ahead. Just before the trees, pop off to the left to get a glance at the Bay & the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Don't worry, the view gets even better. Hop back on the trail and continue for another half mile under the shade of giants. Once you cross over a paved road and glance at a random house on the hill, continue on the SCA Trail is just on the left side of the ridge ahead. 

Within 60 seconds, you'll know you're in the right place because just around the bend, the Golden Gate Bridge is ahead and completely surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of the Marin Headlands.

If you're short on time, head back the way you came. If exploring is in the cards, hit up the Bobcat Trail to add an extra bit or Rodeo Valley Trail to make this a half day hike.