Batteries to Bluffs Trail

My knees were still hurting and I planned on heading to Marin but I couldn’t drag myself across the bridge. I decided on an “easy” hike, the Batteries to Bluffs Trail in the Presidio. I’ve never been on any of the trails in SF. I’m trying to make an effort to get into the city more often so this was a good excuse.

I started my hike at Bakers Beach. It’s south of the trail but there is quite a bit of parking. Bakers Beach is also the designated nude beach. Only saw one guy flapping in the wind, it’s all good.

I walked the beach until I got to Sand Ladder Trail. It is literally a sand ladder that goes up a dune. This is when I started to think this was a bad idea for my knees. I’ll be the first to admit I had to stop on these damn ladder stairs. It wasn’t even warm out but it got my heart racing and I was sweating up a storm.

You snake beside Lincoln Blvd and then down to the first Battery: Crosby. This was the only part of the trail that was wide and nice. The rest of the trail was a majority of stairs. You know, perfect for sore knees. Oof.

It was truly beautiful, the fog made it all so magical. Then again, I really like fog. This is the southern tip right before Marshall Beach. There was quite of bit of bird nesting and things I know nothing about. I knew it was probably cool as there were 4 wildlife photographers with all their gear taking photos of things I couldn’t see.

There actually were trail-like bits too. Not just full on stairs. I wish this trail was longer, it was really nice. You could choose to head down to Marshall Beach (I didn’t.. more stairs) or head towards the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m  hoping the ocean trail by Pescadero is like this, it’s on my list.

Here’s a photo of me with the Golden Gate Bridge. I know, it’s pretty orange. Don’t be too jealous.

And then the story of my life. Trail closed. Pretty much I didn’t get to walk around any more Batteries. Punks. The option to go to the Golden Gate Bridge was just to walk along the road/sidewalk. I already did that since the trail seemed to have cut off where we parked for our GGB walk. So I turned around and headed down some more stairs on my way back to the beach.

Marshall Beach is really pretty. I should have gone down but I knew I had a few more flights I had to tackle just to make it back to the car.

This is a nice little trail. I got 3.53 miles out of it with some beach walking. You can make it longer by looping around on to the Coastal Trail that runs east and towards Crissy Field.  I was really craving the beach though so I’m glad I went. I’m happy it was foggy too, not so many people and fog is my favourite!