Every Trail Tells a Story
Stairways to Coastal Heaven
Coastal San Francisco’s most spectacular stair workout
Golden Gate Bridge framed from every angle
Rugged beach, historic batteries, and coastal overlooks in one loop
For the city walker, San Francisco offers superb stair walks up and down its hills and through its neighborhoods. The city has some great “stair hikes,” too. Two memorable trails-Batteries to Bluffs and Immigrant Point-on the western edge of the Presidio are coastal versions of the city’s famed stair walks.
Batteries to Bluffs is as much sculpture as trail, a ribbon of stairs and switchbacks draped across the headlands. Every pause delivers a different angle on the Golden Gate Bridge-sometimes framed against the horizon, sometimes rising like a sentinel above the cliffs. A spur leads down to rugged Marshall’s Beach, an isolated strand with views so grand they can make you forget how many stairs it took to get there.
Just inland, the Immigrant Point Connector continues the theme. Officially, it features exactly 217 wooden steps, though the true stair tally-counting the stone and dirt steps between-lands closer to 1,000. That number might feel about right to your calves by the time you reach the overlook.
At Immigrant Point Overlook, vistas widen: the bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the vast Pacific rolling out like a promise. The spot was named to honor generations who arrived in San Francisco by sea, passing beneath the Golden Gate. To stand here is to glimpse both history and horizon. At the opposite end, Golden Gate Overlook-completed in 2012 for the bridge’s 75th anniversary-lines up the two towers in perfect symmetry, a photographer’s dream.
Between those bookends lies one of the Presidio’s most invigorating hikes: a stairway to coastal heaven, equal parts workout, wonder, and wide-eyed view.
Park at Golden Gate Overlook, located off Lincoln Boulevard, between Langdon Court and Merchant Road. South of the overlook, find parking for about eight cars on the coast side of Lincoln opposite the start of the trail to Immigrant Point.
Walk south from the overlook past Battery Godfrey and Battery West to the signed junction with Batteries to Bluffs Trail. Descend stairs and trail to a viewpoint and grand views of the ships entering and exiting the Golden Gate. Continue the descent to a little creek and a last set of stairs to Marshall’s Beach.
Serpentine-cliff bordered Marshall’s Beach offers stunning vistas (particularly at sunset) north to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Rugged and secluded, this beach has long been favored by the clothing-optional set.
Now it’s upward on the B2B Trail and lots more stairs, climbing over the top of Battery Crosby and up to meet Coastal Trail and Lincoln Boulevard. Cross carefully to the start of the trail to Immigrant Point Overlook.
On the ascent amidst pine and eucalyptus trees, enjoy vistas of the Marin Headlands and Point Bonita Lighthouse to the north, and to Seacliff and the Baker Beach bluffs to the south. Relax on the benches, savor the views, and descend. For a quicker way back, take the Coastal Trail along Lincoln Boulevard past Pacific Overlook to Golden Gate Overlook.