Point Bonita Lighthouse

Sausalito, United States

4.7

20 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 415-331-1540
Website:
www.nps.gov
Address:
Point Bonita Trailhead Field Rd, Sausalito, CA, 94965
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Description

Specialties

Point Bonita Lighthouse is a great for families, local and international visitors, school groups and clubs, and people of all ages interested in natural and historical sights and sites in the Bay Area. From lighthouse history to Point Bonita cabbage, on-​site docents give information during public hours as well as special tours scheduled through the Marin Headlands Visitor Center.

History

Established in 1877.

Point Bonita today is part of the largest urban national park in the United States, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A secret jewel of the Bay Area, Point Bonita is still an active lighthouse. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the lighthouse and the National Park Service provides access to visitors.

Point Bonita Lighthouse is reached by a halfmile trail that is steep in parts. Discover Point Bonita’s wild landscape, geology and fascinating history. The tunnel halfway to the lighthouse is open only during visiting hours: Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meet the Manager

Ranger S.

Manager

If you have questions about Point Bonita Lighthouse or other features of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, contact the rangers, staff, or volunteers at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at 415−331−1540. Many have been working in the parks for decades and can provide advice on trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, camping in the parks, or other activities in the area like historical tours of the NIKE missile site or Fort Baker.

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20 reviews of Point Bonita Lighthouse

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Place rating: 5
Broomfield, CO
Visiting from Colorado we came to this spot to catch a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and to see the Ocean views. Unfortunately it was very windy on the day we came and the park rangers closed the lighthouse to visitors to prevent injury. I really enjoyed this spot and it was one of the highlights of my visit. If you are visiting or even live here this is a spot you must come see.
Place rating: 5
Vacaville, CA
Beautiful area. Perfect for pictures a nice hike and wonderful scenery. Going down to the lighthouse is an easy walk. But walking back up is a struggle for the unfit like myself :) the site is worth it…
Place rating: 5
Fremont, CA
Beautiful location. I love the wild waves on the walk to the lighthouse. And the path through the mountain is fun! It’s nice that they have park employees present, explaining a lot about the history of the area… really interesting! The suspension bridge to get to the lighthouse is also super fun and you get a great view of the crashing surf below. Don’t drop your camera! Be sure to stop at the visitor’s center on the way out to get your lighthouse stamp!
Place rating: 5
Anaheim, CA
I loved this, especially since I went on a foggy day, it was perfect to take pictures. Easy, free– I love free– hike to the lighthouse. The staff is nice and tells you the history behind the light house.
Place rating: 4
San Jose, CA
My visit here was short and sweet. My girlfriend and I came here to do some sightseeing, but we had arrived just a few minutes late to see the lighthouse as we could see the park ranger and all the other tourists leaving when we got there. It gets pretty windy here so make sure to bring a jacket if you intend on staying a while. Parking can be tricky (there aren’t that many spots), too. The walk itself is not bad at all. It takes 5 – 10 minutes to get to the lighthouse, and there’s plenty of Bay Area to get a view of the whole way there. It gets a little steep downhill on the walk there. There are also some benches you can sit on next to the parking lot and about midway through the walk in case you want to just sit down and take in the view! I wish we could have gotten to actually see the lighthouse while we were there, but perhaps another time.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
It is a tiny lighthouse with so much history. The marin headlands have many well known hiking trails and this adds a nice rest stop for those visiting.
On top of fantastic views, you get to the lighthouse by crossing a suspension bridge. It shakes with the wind; it is somewhat thrilling.
TIP: get there early and wear comfortable hiking shoes. This is no place for a sundress and heels.
Place rating: 5
Santa Rosa, CA
I have lived in Sonoma County my entire life and never knew this place existed until the other weekend. I am glad I know now though because this whole section of the Marin Headlands was unknown to me. It is also near the missile museum, for those into that sort of thing.
I had family in from out of town and with it being such a beautiful day I wanted to show the CA love. We started at the visitor center which is great to stop by to grab a map, advice, and learn a little with the information available in the center. The guide told us the lighthouse is only 1.5 miles up the road from the center. It is about a ¾ mile walk out once you park. Very doable for even the laziest of persons.
We brought a picnic and noshed on our lunch at the center then hopped in the car to the lighthouse. Parking is plentiful on the hill both along the road and in available lots.
The views on this walk are beautiful! It faces the baker beach side of SF and on a beautiful day can’t be beat.
Once at the lighthouse the suspension bridge tripped me out a bit as it sways with the movement and wind. It felt a little like you’ve had one too many, but sort of added to the experience overall.
I didn’t do the educational talks, but I left feeling fully satisfied from that little hike out and those incredible views. Everyone should go at least once.
Place rating: 4
Long Beach, CA
Mariners cried for better light to mark the entrance to the GG Bridge, this is how Point Bonita Lighthouse was created around 1850s.
Great place for photographers, hikers, tourists and everyone else!
Parking is limited but many are parked along the side of the street.
It can be reached by a half mile trail that is steep once heading back.
I would suggest checking out Battery Wallace, since it’s one of the most scenic spot with tables and BBQ grills that outlook the bridge.
You will see the ruins, caves, many rock formations and wildflowers!
Place rating: 5
Sacramento, CA
Awesome views! We were lucky & there were no clouds or fog, just cool & breezy as expected for a Bay Area beach. I walked from Rodeo Beach to the lighthouse. There were some brief strenuous uphill moments, but the views made up for it. The lighthouse is small, but worth the hike.
Be mindful of traffic during peak season & times. Leaving the beach, the tunnel was closed due to traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. It took two hours of stop & go traffic to drive the short distance from Rodeo Beach back to the 101. Luckily the views are beautiful.
Place rating: 5
Thousand Oaks, CA
Great place to explore! The hike to the lighthouse is beautiful, crashing waves, seals lounging on the rocks below, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and S.F., wild flowers, including calla lilies, are on the sides of the trail. The tunnel and the bridge give you a bit of an Indiana Jones experience! Plus more trails with old military buildings and tunnels can be explored opposite the top parking lot!
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Found my new favorite spot to view the Golden Gate Bridge! Was recommended to come here by some tour guides as the one place to check out if you’re crunched on time and visiting the Bay. Like other Unilocalers say, it’s only open from Saturday-​Monday and from 12:30 — 3:30. So make sure you come during this time or else you won’t be able to cross the bridge and see the light house up close. Since it’s an operating light house, you can’t climb up to it but you are allowed to enter the building. Came on a Sunday and parking was easy also!
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Pt. Bonitas is California’s land’s end. I never realized this until the other half took me there. We have been exploring local landmarks recently and the lighthouse was one of our stops. First, I would encourage any visitors to bundle up before you go bc it is incredibly windy! Even on a warm 80 degree weather day, the winds were very strong. The PBL is a historical landmark and can be a bit touristy. It wasn’t too crowded but there were a steady stream of people walking on the trail to the lighthouse. It’s a fun little trail getting to the lighthouse. The views are amazing as you can see the golden gate bridge across the way. You have to walk through a small cave/​tunnel, which closes at 3:30pm daily. Afterwards, you have to cross a small bridge to the lighthouse. There isn’t much to see inside the actual lighthouse since it’s so small. Two small rooms with visitor info and some historical facts about the lighthouse are housed inside. Scenic spot to visit whether you are a tourist or local. Great photo ops on a warm, sunny day!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Graceful guide.
Fun facts:
Fun times: Walking out to the lighthouse on a beautiful day while enjoying brilliant views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area.
It’s a five star destination.
Place rating: 5
Fremont, CA
Great place with a great view! You have to walk for a little bit before reaching to the actual lighthouse. There are a farther parking lot that’s right next to the Point Bonita YMCA Center. There are also a few parking spots right by the trail that leads to the lighthouse. It’s always packed in those spots, so I do suggest parking at the bigger lot and just walk up.
A quick note: you can’t actually get to the lighthouse until 12:30pm. There’s a tunnel that you have to get through but it’s closed until 12:30pm. The staff comes during that time and opens the tunnel. The tunnel will lead you to the bridge that goes to the lighthouse. I think if you’re the first batch of visitors, one of the staff will talk about a little bit of the history of the lighthouse and everything, which is pretty cool!
To be honest, the lighthouse was smaller than I thought, but still very awesome. The view is definitely amazing. From the small trail down to the lighthouse and everything around it, it’s so beautiful! The lighthouse also offers some information and pamphlets about the lighthouse and other national parks in the area. You can’t actually go up the lighthouse either, but that was kind of a given.
Overall, I definitely enjoy my time visiting the lighthouse. It’s an incredible place to visit. It has such beautiful views that oversee the bay and you can see the Golden Gate! It’s definitely worth crossing two bridges and paying two tolls to come visit.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Short walk (less than 1 mile) down the hill to see a small lighthouse. Parking available in the nearby lots. Good views of the coast and GG bridge. There can be crowds depending on when you go (i.e. school field trip, weekend tourists, etc.). Also, the lighthouse is only open during certain times (around 12−5pm, I think), so check hours be for you go. Another nice spot in the headlands. Go see other nearby places while you’re out here (i.e. Rodeo beach).
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
The thing about Unilocal is it offers you this endless opportunity to find breath taking places to visit and tasty food to literally expand your culinary experience! All in the name of Unilocaly love.
Point Bonita is definitely one of those places if I didnt see friends checking in I would’ve forgotten. I’ve been here pre Unilocal.
A must visit if you’re up for a short stroll locally. I mean if you live in the area. Why not? The bay and it’s fantastic vista is here for us to enjoy.
This is an active lighthouse maintained by the National Coast Guard and run by the Park services as far as tours and giving access to visitors. It’s not much of a hike in half a mile. The wet and dark cave was a trip to some folks. You must go thru to gain access to the other side. Coming out you will have to cross a bridge. It’s similar to a hanging bridge but it’s actually a cable bridge, so yes the bridge sways when the wind come across it. If you’re scared then cross alone rather than with a bunch of people. Less sway and more peace!
You will be able to gain access to added info about P. B as you walk along the short trail.
Lucky us! This is so easy to get to. Parking is a problem sometimes but it’s worth it!
Place rating: 5
Palo Alto, CA
Point Bonita, Bonita Applebum got it goin’ on,
weekend, wild and crowded,
dope view of SF walkin’ down, chillin’ with my fitted,
hikin’ down the coastal trail, been trill,
what’s happenin’, what’s with it,
through the tunnel, into the light,
like solvin’ a mystery case, tryna find a clue,
ocean, sea breeze, everything blue,
crossing suspension, feelings start to emerge,
impressive, historic lighthouse on the ledge,
surreal scene like Shutter Island, got them feels on the edge
such a short hike, but action packed like Battery Mendell at its prime
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
It’s a teeny tiny lighthouse and you can’t actually go up to the light level. But still… It’s pretty cool to walk out there on the trail and over the suspension bridge.
Once a month they have a free, docent guided sunset tour of Point Bonita Lighthouse. Astonishingly it’s not mentioned on the website or in the brochure. You can read more about the tour -
or
. In the summer you’ll want to book at least two months in advance. The tour is free but does fill up. They only let you book for 8 people max per party though when we showed up they didn’t check names or anything. The tour goes from 7:30−9pm. The lighthouse is small so most of the tour is local history and geology. Pretty cool still. Dress warm because you’ll be standing outside for almost all of it and it’s cool and windy.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
How did I not know about this place until now?!! Great place to visit on a day trip around SF.
Just off Golden Gate Bridge, we parked at the Visitors Center off Field Rd. and hiked to the lighthouse via the Coastal Trail. If you have really young children or elderly people with you I suggest going further down Field Rd. early and finding closer parking. The Coastal Trail is beautiful though so definitely worth the short steep sandy hike.
There’s so much to explore, the lighthouse is only one small area to explore. Take the time to explore more of what the Marin Headlands has to offer.
Place rating: 5
East Bay, CA
So indescribably special, imbued with view, and ethereal élan, history, and lots of charm. Still working, this lighthouse!!!
Be very mindful of select Sa/​Sun/​Mon open hours – narrow window only!
Loved the visit. Great hiking, as I started from Visitor Ctr and did a full 7 miles roundtrip… all is well