Location: Golden Gate State Park; San Francisco, CA
Distance: ~1.6 miles (not including walk to trailhead)
Type: Day-hike; Out and Back
Rating: Easy
Directions: Google Maps
Permits, Fees & Parking: There is no parking fee. Depending on the day and time of year, Golden Gate State Park is very busy. Parking along Conzelman Road is limited.
Kirby Cove Campground Information: $25/night. Tents only. No pets allowed. Permit information can be found here.
Preparation: Water, sunscreen, warm clothes (we completed this hike mid-summer and had to wear warm clothes!) and picnic supplies (this beach is perfect for a relaxing day at the beach). On hotter days, pack a swimsuit if swimming is on your agenda.
The Hike:
After parking along Conzelman Road (since it was a busier day, we had to park about a half-mile away from the actual trailhead), walk along the road until this sign and gate are reached:
Follow the dirt road (Kirby Road) until the Kirby Cove Campground is reached. Walk over a small, wooden bridge to the location of an old bunker called Bunker Kirby:
Kirby Cove is only a short distance past the bunker that offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the City on clear days. This is a quick, fun hike that can be completed while visiting San Francisco.