open dyslexic mode

➡️Save this guide to Point Bonita Lighthouse for your next day trip to the Marin Headlands!

💡🌊Built in 1855 during the California Gold Rush, the Point Bonita Lighthouse was the third lighthouse built on the West Coast.

Even still, due to the dense fog and the rocky coastline, over 300 shipwrecks occurred in this area during the Gold Rush era.

Point Bonita is still active today, and it’s a unique historic spot to explore with dramatic cliffside views.

On the way, you’ll walk through a hand-carved tunnel and cross a suspension bridge, which just adds to the adventure.

🥾Trail: Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail–1 mile, 203 ft elevation gain, out-and-back, easy.

⭐Features: Historic lighthouse, wildlife spotting, a view of the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day, and dramatic coastal views.

🚗Parking: Free. There are a handful of spots right next to the trailhead, but most people will likely need to park at the Point Bonita Parking Lot a short walk away.

🚽Toilets: Yes

🐶Dog-friendly: No

👪 Family-friendly: Yes

♿️Accessibility: No

💡What to Know Before You Hike:
-This is the windiest and coldest area of the park. Make sure to wear layers and a beanie (even in summer!).
-Look for the wildlife! Harbor seals like to hang out on a beach to your left just before you get to the tunnel (best if you have binoculars), and porpoises and even whales can be seen from the lighthouse during certain times of the year.
-During summer, the lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and only open for a few hours in the afternoon on Thursdays through Mondays. Make sure to check their website for current times.

➕Make it a day: If it’s clear, drive along Conzelman Road to take in all those Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints and Battery Spencer.

✌Follow @theatlasheart for more California travel