San Francisco Bay Area Hiking: Tennessee Valley Trail

The San Francisco Bay Area has so many incredible hiking options. Just north of San Francisco, in Mill Valley, is the Tennessee Valley Trail. The fairly flat hike through the Marin Headlands leads to a beautiful beach on the Pacific Ocean with the option to add on additional trails for more stunning views of the ocean. 

If you are coming from San Francisco, you will take the 101 over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge past Marin City. There you will take the exit for Highway 1 and turn off on Tennessee Valley Road. This short 30 minute drive goes directly to the trailhead where there is a small parking lot. There are also many gravel areas on the side of the road leading up to the trailhead that offer ample, easy parking no matter the time of day you arrive.

The Tennessee Valley Road ends at the parking lot and the Tennessee Valley Trail begins. This wide dirt path offers plenty of space for a group to hike side-by-side.

Tennessee Valley Trail

Shortly after starting the hike, there are beautiful distant views of a pond and the ocean that continue for the majority of the hike.

Views of a pond and the Pacific Ocean from the trail

The path then comes to a fork where, depending on the time of year, you may be able to take a more narrow dirt path that offers a nearly completely flat hike to the beach, bypassing the one hill on the wide dirt road trail. These two trails meet shortly thereafter and before long you will see a pond surrounded by bright green vegetation.

Green vegetation along the trail

Before you know it, you will arrive at Tennessee Beach, with stunning rock cliffs on either side, dark blackish-brown sand, and teal water crashing on both the rocks and shore. It was a peaceful place with only a few other people despite visiting on a Saturday in summer. There were a few families having a picnic on the beach and someone taking a mid-morning nap. 

Tennessee Beach

If you are looking for expansive views of the ocean, follow the stairs on the right side of the beach 800 feet up to the Tennessee Beach Overlook.

Stairs to Tennessee Beach Overlook

On the way up you will pass a bunker from WWII - likely used as an ammo depot or supply storage for the lookout you will see at the top of the stairs.

Bunker located on the hike to the Tennessee Beach Overlook

Once you arrive at the top, you can look down at the beach, surrounding cliffs, and the infinite looking ocean. 

Tennessee Beach Overlook

From here, you can head back to the parking lot to close out the 3.6 mile out and back hike. Or you can add on any of the many trails branching off of the Tennessee Valley Trail. I chose to add on a loop starting with the Coastal Trail then cut over to Fox Trail via the Coastal Trail Fire Road. The Fox Trail leads back to the Tennessee Valley Trail which will take you back to the parking lot.

Views from Fox Trail in Tennessee Valley

This loop has some more great views of the ocean, but also offers views of the bay including the San Rafael Bridge and even the Salesforce Tower and Coit Tower in San Francisco. All-in-all this was a great 6.5 mile hike that took about 3 hours taking into account some time to stop and enjoy the variety of views. 

View of the Pacific Ocean from the trail

Whether you decide to stick with the out and back hike to Tennessee Beach or add on some additional miles in the surrounding trails, Tennessee Valley will not let you down. Surrounded by hills often covered with wildflowers along with the ocean, beach, and cliffs, this hike offers great views from start to finish. The Tennessee Valley Trail is a can't miss of the San Francisco Bay Area's hiking.

Helpful to Know

• Free! No parking or entrance fees. 

• Family friendly flat hike with some families pulling a wagon to spend the day at the beach. 

• Two pit toilets: one at the entrance and one half-way to the beach. 

• Bring your own hand sanitizer and drinking water. 

• In typical San Francisco fashion, the foggy morning burns off mid-morning for a sunny day.