Black Sands Beach–Marin Headlands Beach, 3 beaches is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Marin Headlands near Sausalito, CA. The route passes Black Sands Beach and Marin Headlands Beach. It climbs 574 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 53/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi131 – 594 ft · steepest grade: 15%3.3 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Upper Fisherman's Trail 37.82748, -122.51084
Nearest town Sausalito, CA
Directions
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Black Sands Beach–Marin Headlands Beach, 3 beaches
3.3 mi · ▲ 574 ft · 1 hr 23 min
Elevation 132–593 ft
Out & Back · Marin Headlands
Trailhead: Upper Fisherman's Trail · 37.82748, -122.51084
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: Presidio Riding Club Stables stop 568 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Upper Fisherman's Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Black Sands Beach.
- 50 ftPass Marin Headlands Beach.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Coastal Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Upper Fisherman's Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Julian Trail, heading E.
- 1.4 miReach Black Sands Beach, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.4 miTurn left onto Upper Fisherman's Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Coastal Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Upper Fisherman's Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
85% dirt15% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:57 AMSunset 7:12 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~19 min). Leave by 6:33 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
- Transit-accessible: Presidio Riding Club Stables stop 568 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Upper Fisherman's Trail Trailhead
- Black Sands Beach–Marin Headlands Beach, 3 beaches 3.6 mi · ▲ 716 ft
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