This is our first installment of Happy Trails for 2025. If you’re new to Marin Horizon, Happy Trails is our quarterly article that features kid-friendly hikes and outdoor adventures that your family can enjoy in our amazing Marin County environs.
As a Southern California girl, snow has never been my friend. I worked as a National Park Ranger for several years in high-altitude places, and at 8,000 feet, I made sure to leave the Grand Canyon between October and April for adventures in warmer climates. I once foolishly thought I could brave a winter in Yosemite—and, boy, was I wrong. It quickly taught me that I don’t belong in a place over 4,000 feet past November.
What I have come to love about winter, though, is one thing: animal migrations.
This winter break, my partner and I decided to stay local and hike much of the Marin Headlands with our dogs in tow. The pups got all the sniffs (and ticks!) they could desire, and we checked off some animals from our bucket list—grey whales and bald eagles—all while staying close to home!
Wildlife Sightings on a Marin Headlands Hike
(Julian Trail - Hawk Hill - Coastal Trail)
We hiked one of our favorite trails in the Marin Headlands, which offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge, sweeping vistas of the coast, and a chance to avoid the crowds. It’s the perfect trail to take the whole family when you feel like being a tourist without the crowds.
We started on the Julian Trail in the Marin Headlands. After driving through the headlands tunnel, pass the housing and take a right onto the old "Rifle Range" road. If you hit the stables, you've gone too far! The trail we took is below in yellow!
Follow the road toward the back end of the Rifle Range and head up Julian Trail. This section offers a great view of Gerbode Valley. About a mile in, you'll reach the top of the hill and enjoy some of the best views of the bridge.
At the top, take a right onto Hawk Hill. At the top of Hawk Hill, we walked under the “tunnel” to the old military battery. As we descended the stairs to take the Coastal Trail back down, we looked up and saw three white-headed, brown-bodied birds circling above us. My partner and I have both worked in the National Park Service for years, but I had only seen a Bald Eagle twice, and my partner had never seen one at all. For a moment, we thought we might be imagining it, but sure enough, the eagle swooped close enough for us to see its golden beak and confirm it was the real deal.
Over 20,000 birds of prey fly over the Marin Headlands each year during the migration season from December to March. While you may not see an eagle, you're almost guaranteed to spot some type of sharp-beaked predator circling above if you’re patient enough.
As we descended along coastal trails with a series of steps, we paused to soak in the stunning views. Sure enough, we spotted a whale breaching the water—not once, but twice. It was likely a grey whale on its annual migration.
We continued our trek down, taking a left at Black Sands Beach to head back to the car at the Rifle Range.
Of course, like any wildlife adventure, results may vary. But the majority of this trail offers scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, brilliant vistas of Gerbode Valley, and dramatic coastal views. Plus, we didn’t have to fight for parking!
Year-round wildlife is also abundant here: coyotes, bobcats, otters
Coyotes can often be spotted in the valley heading toward Rodeo Beach, and if you’re lucky, you might even see otters in the Rodeo Beach Lagoon. Bobcats are more elusive, but they do live in the area. If you’re hiking with your dogs, please keep them on a leash to help protect the local wildlife.
Most of the trail is sparsely populated with few steep sections, making it a good family hike for ages 8 and up. Some sections can be a bit steep for younger kids. Also, be sure to check for ticks, especially during this time of year.
For families with younger kids, Ally Zimmerman’s blog post offers some great ideas for additional activities to enjoy in the Marin Headlands.
I hope you enjoy non-snow winter activities as much as I do! Happy Trails!