Rodeo Beach Trail Stunning Right Now

The hills of the Marin Headlands are exceptionally green, and early spring wildflowers are beginning to emerge along the trails, creating vibrant conditions for hikers. The popular loop combining the Coastal and Miwok trails offers dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline. This network of paths provides a varied experience, from the unique dark, pebbly sand of Rodeo Beach to the exposed coastal bluffs. The trails also traverse significant historical sites, including Fort Cronkhite, a former World War II military post, and Battery Townsley, which once housed 16-inch caliber guns to protect the coast. These remnants of a coastal defense system are interspersed along the hiking routes, offering a glimpse into the area's past. The trailhead at Rodeo Beach provides access to these interconnected paths, with options for both moderate and more strenuous loops. Further north, Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area serves as the southern entrance to California's extensive redwood forests. The park is home to the Captain Miles Standish Tree, a redwood that is over 225 feet tall and estimated to be more than 1,200 years old. While some of the park's trails and the Redwood Campground are inaccessible during the winter due to the removal of seasonal bridges over the Eel River, at least one campground remains open year-round. Recent high water levels on the South Fork of the Eel River, which flows through the park, have been receding in early March. This river is a popular spot for swimming and kayaking in the warmer months. The park features about 10 miles of trails that go through steep canyon bluffs and groves of second-growth redwoods and Douglas fir.