Point Bonita Lighthouse
Point Bonita Lighthouse
4.5
About
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 half mile trail that is very 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 and Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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4.5
249 reviews
Excellent
178
Very good
59
Average
11
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0
Terrible
1
Melissa C
United States1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Friends
We visited Point Bonita Lighthouse and were blown away by the depth of knowledge of the volunteers there. Andy Coblenz and George Thomas both shared amazing stories, and they answered all of our varied questions. They made visiting the lighthouse, which is already a fun outing (the views are amazing!), a wonderful outing. We still are talking about what we saw and learned. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, Andy and George! We had great fun learning from you!
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
byMT305
Miami, FL2,651 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Point Bonita Lighthouse makes for a wonderful quick visit away from the tourist hustle bustle of Sausalito. It’s a designated National Park and it’s FREE to visit. Parking is limited (especially on weekends) and late mornings can be good times to visit (as the early morning fog has dissipated
and the early afternoon fog hasn’t blown in).
The walking trail is approximately 0.5 miles each way (Note: Much of the return 0.5 mile walk is uphill & more strenuous). Visitors experience gorgeous Pacific Cliff & Ocean views (when not fogged-in), the Golden Gate Bridge area, lots of seals on the rocks below, plenty of wild flowers in the Spring). National Park Rangers are on the trail to answer questions. The entire visit can be enjoyed in approx 1 hour or so.
Highly recommended (& easy to get to)!!
and the early afternoon fog hasn’t blown in).
The walking trail is approximately 0.5 miles each way (Note: Much of the return 0.5 mile walk is uphill & more strenuous). Visitors experience gorgeous Pacific Cliff & Ocean views (when not fogged-in), the Golden Gate Bridge area, lots of seals on the rocks below, plenty of wild flowers in the Spring). National Park Rangers are on the trail to answer questions. The entire visit can be enjoyed in approx 1 hour or so.
Highly recommended (& easy to get to)!!
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snakewrangler
Brentwood, CA534 contributions
Aug 2023
Parking fills up fast so you do have to walk a bit to get to the trail to the lighthouse. But along the way you can stop and some of the batteries and check them out....totally worth it. Coming back from the lighthouse the uphill climb is a bit taxing so I wouldn't suggest this for anyone having problems walking.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveK28762
Worcestershire, UK132 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Definitely worth the small diversion from our route. There's a small car park close to the start of the path to the lighthouse but if that's full, there's a large overflow car park a further quarter of a mile away. No hardship there, but still loads of people decide to park on the verges instead!
The walk down is paved and comes with great views across the bay to the Golden Gate Bridge - wonderful. Walk through the tunnel and you're there. Really lovely place. The small bridge across to the lighthouse itself was under repair when we visited but this didn't distract from our visit at all. Highly recommended.
One note: if you need the restroom, be prepared for an unpleasant experience!! NOt nice at all.
The walk down is paved and comes with great views across the bay to the Golden Gate Bridge - wonderful. Walk through the tunnel and you're there. Really lovely place. The small bridge across to the lighthouse itself was under repair when we visited but this didn't distract from our visit at all. Highly recommended.
One note: if you need the restroom, be prepared for an unpleasant experience!! NOt nice at all.
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cp n
Raleigh, NC31 contributions
May 2021
This place was not on the itinerary of our road trip but so glad we took the time. The lighthouse itself was closed when we went (Covid?), but we were able to walk around the grounds and down the path to the lighthouse a good ways.
It is a wide-open area, we had a sunny day and the views were spectacular.
Well worth the time. :-)
It is a wide-open area, we had a sunny day and the views were spectacular.
Well worth the time. :-)
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IN_Travelers47906
West Lafayette, IN4,718 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
The lighthouse itself is about average, and its hours are pretty funky (12:30 – 3:30 Sa-M), but it can also be closed these times due to weather conditions. The good news is that the drive to the lighthouse is amazing, so you can’t be too disappointed even if it is closed.
That said, if you want pictures when it is closed you will need to take them along the road as you drive in. At the site, the lighthouse is completely hidden from pedestrians by a tunnel that is closed when the light house closed.
Getting there requires exiting Hwy 101 using the Alexander Ave., Sausalito exit and its takes about 20 minutes to reach the lighthouse once you have exited Hwy 101. Coming from the north, it is the last exit before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Coming from the south, it is the second exit (Vista Point is the first) after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Your only interest in Alexander Road is that it goes south and west to Conzelman Road, which winds its way up the hillside providing along the way several wonderful vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco until you reach a roundabout at the top.
Surprisingly, there are no signs for the lighthouse at this intersection but go around to the 9:00 o’clock exit that heads further uphill from the roundabout and continue along the ridge which offers even more views of the bridge. Take this road as far as you can. At one point, you will see a pedestrian tunnel to your right. Continue past it on a one-lane road down to the lighthouse.
There is a parking lot which fills quickly, so parking is pretty much catch as catch can. From the parking lot, you will walk about a ½ mile mostly downhill to tunnel and on to the lighthouse. The pedestrian bridge out to the lighthouse makes it very unusual and very scenic. If the crowd is particularly heavy, a ranger may be posted at the end of the bridge to control the number of people at the lighthouse at any one time.
When you leave. Remember, you arrived on a one-way road, so you must return following the two-way road back to Hwy 101. Not a problem, very scenic with some trails and side roads you may want to explore. Follow the signs for the tunnel route, and it will return you to the same place where you exited 101.
That said, if you want pictures when it is closed you will need to take them along the road as you drive in. At the site, the lighthouse is completely hidden from pedestrians by a tunnel that is closed when the light house closed.
Getting there requires exiting Hwy 101 using the Alexander Ave., Sausalito exit and its takes about 20 minutes to reach the lighthouse once you have exited Hwy 101. Coming from the north, it is the last exit before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Coming from the south, it is the second exit (Vista Point is the first) after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Your only interest in Alexander Road is that it goes south and west to Conzelman Road, which winds its way up the hillside providing along the way several wonderful vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco until you reach a roundabout at the top.
Surprisingly, there are no signs for the lighthouse at this intersection but go around to the 9:00 o’clock exit that heads further uphill from the roundabout and continue along the ridge which offers even more views of the bridge. Take this road as far as you can. At one point, you will see a pedestrian tunnel to your right. Continue past it on a one-lane road down to the lighthouse.
There is a parking lot which fills quickly, so parking is pretty much catch as catch can. From the parking lot, you will walk about a ½ mile mostly downhill to tunnel and on to the lighthouse. The pedestrian bridge out to the lighthouse makes it very unusual and very scenic. If the crowd is particularly heavy, a ranger may be posted at the end of the bridge to control the number of people at the lighthouse at any one time.
When you leave. Remember, you arrived on a one-way road, so you must return following the two-way road back to Hwy 101. Not a problem, very scenic with some trails and side roads you may want to explore. Follow the signs for the tunnel route, and it will return you to the same place where you exited 101.
Written 22 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnArborMiBob
Ann Arbor, MI1,619 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
My wife and I have visited this lighthouse several times in years past, but not for over a dozen years, and we forgot about the very limited hours it is open. They are currently posted as Sunday and Monday 12:30-3:30 pm, but I see that other travelers have warned that hours are more erratic than that.
I could not bear to give this lighthouse anything less than excellent, based on those past visits, but I did think I should post some photos showing what you are likely to see unless you pay close attention to the posted hours (as we did not do on this trip) or, more surely, phone ahead to see what the real hours currently are. Look at the photos, and be warned.
I could not bear to give this lighthouse anything less than excellent, based on those past visits, but I did think I should post some photos showing what you are likely to see unless you pay close attention to the posted hours (as we did not do on this trip) or, more surely, phone ahead to see what the real hours currently are. Look at the photos, and be warned.
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
h2omusc
Omaha, NE20 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This hike to the Point Bonita lighthouse offers spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge on one side and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean on the other. Be warned the tunnel to the lighthouse is only open on Sunday and Monday afternoons. The park staff is very knowledgeable about the lighthouse and the shipwrecks in the area. The hike is 0.5 mi one way and is fairly steep but paved. One of the best kept secrets of the bay area.
Written 22 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tirakatz
Bonn, Germany74 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We carefully planned our San Francisco trip so that we could visit the lighthouse, which we had planned for years, but we were always there at the wrong time. Now we came there on a Monday, as their official homepage said they would be open then. They were not, and you had to walk right to the gate to see that. Now really, this is not 21st century customer friendly!!!
Written 2 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bbbob84
Staten Island, NY1,616 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Maybe I did not read enough before visiting this attraction, but I hope this post helps some. This lighthouse is very remote and you have to wind through hairpin turns with a lot of bicyclists who don't always share the road well. The views along the way are spectacular. There is limited parking near the end, but we were lucky enough to get a parking spot. There are public restrooms near the parking. The issue is when they say open from 12:30 to 3:30 you would think that this was limited to entering the lighthouse, but the 12:30 to 3:30 is the approach to the lighthouse. You can't even get near it or see it up close except for these three hours a day. So after your exciting roller coaster ride through the hills you will be disappointed if you were hoping to see or photograph the lighthouse. Tourists have action packed days and can't delay for hours to visit one attraction. If this is on your list plan your day around the open hours. Enjoy.
Written 11 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. Are you open at Sep,3-labour day? Thanks
Written 25 June 2018
I'll be in SF area for 2 days (Wed & Thur) and want to see as much as possible. Only thing set right now is Muir Woods Wed morning, and Alcatraz early bird tour on Thur. What order should i see Lomard, Alamo Sq, Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown and whatever else would be cool for a 10 and 13 year old? Help please!!
Written 27 April 2018
Can anyone tell me of the bridge to the lighthouse is opened when the lighthouse is closed
Written 19 February 2018
Please clarify how steep is the road/trail down to the tunnel and back up after a visit. Is the road? or trail? paved as mentioned above? dirt?
Thank you.
Tickets????? Please clarify about this.
Deborah Green
Written 19 March 2017
Sorry for taking so long to answer! It's steep in one part, but definitely doable at a slow pace. It is paved up to the tunnel entrance, the tunnel has a paved part in the middle with rocks and dirt on the sides (it's kind of narrow and not well illuminated (like a tunnel LOL), once you get out of the tunnel it's basically packed dirt. We went on a nice winter day after some rain, I pushed my son's stroller all the way without a problem, just avoided all the puddles after the tunnel.
The lighthouse is ONLY open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12:30 to 3:30pm and only if there's good weather.
Written 4 May 2017
Hi! I really would love to do this bike route, how safe is this route for a women traveling by herself?
Written 10 November 2015
I'm not certain biking is allowed on the actual path. It's narrow and there are people going in both directions. I'm sure you can park your bike before entering. It's really safe and many people and families visit the site.
Written 22 June 2017
Can a little electric mobility cart make it to the lighthouse?
Written 26 May 2015
I don't think it'd be able to. The road isn't completely paved. There is also a bridge one must cross to the actual lighthouse.
Written 22 June 2017
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