black sands beach in san francisco

Black Sand Beach in San Francisco [+ How to get there, Trails, Tips]

  • Black Sands Beach in San Francisco is a hidden gem that is perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds.
  • The free parking lot here is limited, but you can choose to hike in from several trails close by.
  • There is no shade available, and the sand tends to be coarse; however, for those looking for a clothing-optional experience, there is one available on the far right end of the beach.

This beautiful black sand beach in San Francisco greets arriving boats and ships as they leave the open Pacific Ocean and make their way toward the Golden Gate Bridge and the calmer waters of the bay.

This beach is the perfect way to escape the crowds and enjoy the breathtaking views of the open ocean and the San Francisco Peninsula. 

If you are planning a day at the beach, this unique option is perfect for a carefree day of sunbathing and wiggling your toes in the black sand.

black sand beach in san francisco with rock formations
Black sands beach in San Francisco
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Why Visit the Black Sand Beach in San Francisco

Although this beach is close to San Francisco, it remains fairly uncrowded because of its limited accessibility and its shortage of parking.

This makes it a great place to visit if you are looking for a quiet day at the beach or a little privacy.

The beach is unique because of its iron-rich dark-colored sand that looks black when it gets wet from the crashing waves.

The sand is more of a dark brown color but it is still very different than the tan or white sand beaches that most people are used to.

There are very few of these rare black sand beaches in California and the closest one outside of this one is all the way up in Humboldt County. 

The other factor that makes this beach special is its views across the opening of the bay with the western portion of the San Francisco Peninsula in the background.

Several of the surrounding trails provide stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the rest of the city from vantage points like Hawk Hill and Engagement Hill.

For the naturists and nudists, the western end of the beach is a popular clothing-optional area for those who want to embrace the elements.

Where is the Black Sands Beach in SF?

black sand beach san francisco map_
Exact location of the Black Sand Beach in SF

This hidden gem is often mistakenly referred to as Black Sand Beach in Sausalito. The beach is actually located in the Marin Headlands, which is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation area.

For people making the journey from San Francisco, the beach is less than a 30-minute drive from most of the city.

Black Sand Beach in Marin County is situated in the southern part of the park and is halfway between Point Bonita Lighthouse to the west and Kirby Cove to the east.

It is also only a short 10-minute drive or a 4-mile hike from the popular Rodeo Beach.

The beach can be accessed from its own parking lot but to get there you will have to hike down the semi-steep Upper Fisherman’s trail that is a .5 miles long and includes over 250 steps.

Visiting this beach from Sacramento?: You will have to pay for toll at the Golden Gate bridge.

Practical Information for Visiting the Black Sands Beach in SF

  • Parking: Free
  • Amenities: Restrooms at the parking lot, Trails
  • Dog Friendly?: No
  • Family/Kid Friendly?: Yes
  • Accessibility: Short hikes

Black Sands Beach Parking

black sands beach in marin headlands
black sand beach california

Upper Fisherman’s Parking Lot

This small lot is the closest parking to Black Sand beach. There are about a dozen parking spaces, along with a single parking space for those with disabilities.

The lot also has a vault-style toilet, which is the only restroom available for beachgoers. The steep trail to the beach starts at the end of the parking lot.

Street Parking on Conzelman Road

Just outside of the Upper Fisherman’s parking lot is a semi-wide shoulder on the right side of the one-way Conzelman Road.

People park here when the lot is full, but park at your own risk as the space is narrow exposing yourself and your car to passing traffic.

black sand beach near sausalito
Black sand beach near Sausalito

Presidio Riding Club Trail Parking

If you do not mind a little hiking, this parking area is located just 1.7 miles from Black Sand beach.

This is a nice alternative if the Upper Fisherman’s parking lot is full as this lot has a clean bathroom and is away from the crowds. See below for which trails to take to the beach.

Coastal Trail Parking

This parking area is a great third option, but it is a longer 4-mile hike along the Julian trail to get to the beach.

The upside is when you head back to the car, it is only an additional .2 miles to the Golden Gate observation deck which has an incredible view of the bridge and the cityscape.

This lot is also equipped with a bathroom with vault-style toilets. The trail information from this parking lot is listed below.

Hiking Trails to Black Sands Beach

black sands beach in sf

If you are planning to visit Black Sand Beach in San Francisco, you will have to hike to get to the sandy shoreline.

If you are lucky enough or show up really early, you will score a parking spot at the Upper Fisherman’s parking lot meaning you only need to navigate down the .5-mile-long trail to get to the beach.

If you end up parking at one of the other parking areas, you will need to follow one of these trails listed below.

Black Sands Beach via Julian Trail

  • Route Type: Out and Back
  • Distance: 4.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 850 ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This hike starts at the Coastal Trail parking lot which takes you down through the valley on the Julian Trail before making a left turn onto Upper Fisherman’s Trail.

Follow this trail through the Upper Fisherman’s parking and continue on until you reach the beach.

Gerbode Valley Trailhead to Coastal Trail to Black Sands Beach

  • Route Type: Out and Back
  • Distance: .9 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 269 ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate

If you end up parking at the Presidio Riding Club parking area, this is the trail that you will want to take to get to the beach.

The hike is fully exposed and has a little elevation so you will want to pack light and leave the cooler in the car as this is a little too far to carry anything heavy.

Other Adventurous Hikes to Black Sands Beach

golden gate hiking trail_
hiking trail san francisco_

The Golden Gate National Recreation area is one of the hiking capitals of the country with a huge network of trails spreading across 75,398 acres of land and its 28 miles of coastline.

That being said there are many stunning trails you can choose to take to get to Black Sand beach. Here are some longer and more adventurous hikes that will lead you to this beautiful beach.

Golden Gate Gems – Hawk Hill, Kirby Cove, and Battery Spencer

  • Route Type: Out and Back
  • Distance: 7.3 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1417 ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This is a fun out and back trail that starts at the Upper Fisherman’s parking lot meaning that you can start and finish your hike and Black Sands Beach.

This hike includes an all-star list of viewpoints in the southern end of the park with some jaw-dropping vistas of the Golden Gate with the city in the background.

Rodeo Valley Loop

  • Route Type: Loop
  • Distance: 7.4 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1522 ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This moderate-distance trail starts and finishes with picturesque views of the bay, Golden Gate, and the city’s waterfront.

The trail takes you up over the ridge where you can choose to add a little extra climb up to slacker hill for one of the best views of the entire park.

When you get to Bunker Rd. you can turn right on the Coastal Trail to get down to Black Sands Beach.

Slacker Hill, Julian, Coastal, Miwok, SCA Trail Loop

  • Route Type: Loop
  • Distance: 13.8 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2880 ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This epic hike is long, but the reward is some of the most stunning views of the different parts of the Bay Area.

This includes the East Bay, Sausalito, Angel Island, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Tiburon, and the Marin Headlands.

The best part is you can take a diversion when you get to Conzelman Rd. and head down to Black Sand Beach where you can rest your feet and refuel with the crashing waves in the background. 

❤️ Looking for a relaxing place to stay after your adventure? Check out these hotels in San Francisco with a jacuzzi in the room!

Tips for Visiting Black Sands Beach in SF

One of the black sand beaches in California

Check the tide chart

Make sure to check the tide charts before you pack up and head to the beach as the shoreline here can get pretty small when it’s high tide.

Check world beach guide for the week’s tide chart so you can make sure you can time your trip so that you get the maximum amount of beach time possible.

Wear proper shoes

The hike down the half-mile trail to the black sand beach is steep at times and gets a little slippery.

Make sure to wear a quality shoe with a good grip and save your flip-flops for when you get to the sand. The hike back up will be extra tough if you do not wear proper footwear.

Dress appropriately

Just because this is a beach, does not mean that it is going to be warm and sunny. The weather on the California coast can change in an instant.

You may be enjoying catching some rays one minute and in a matter of moments the winds will pick up and a  heavy fog layer will set in.

Bring along some warm clothes especially if you plan on getting wet.

Pack wisely

With limited parking and a decent possibility of having to hike a mile plus to the beach, it is best to keep your beach supplies to what you can carry in a backpack.

This also applies to the steep hike back up the hill where you will be very thankful that you didn’t bring too much to the beach.

Also, remember to bring water as there is none available onsite. As the weather can change rapidly, make sure you prepare for some sun and bring along some ocean-friendly sunscreen.

Things to do near Black Sands Beach

When visiting this Black Sand Beach in California, you might as well make a day of your visit to the north bay and check out some of these other points of interest in the park.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area has an endless supply of things to explore and here are a few highlights for your next trip.

Visit Point Bonita Lighthouse

point bonita lighthouse
Point Bonita Lighthouse

The Point Bonita Lighthouse is situated on the tip of the southernmost point of the Marin Headland peninsula.

This historic lighthouse provides spectacular views of the Golden Gate and the entire entry to the bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Farallon Islands. 

Operating Hours: Thursday-Monday 12:30 – 3:30 PM

Visit the Marine Mammal Center

This is the largest marine mammal hospital in the world where they have rescued over 24,000 animals.

You can book a visit or a tour online where you can learn about this amazing non-profit organization that is committed to saving our coastal wildlife.

See an Iconic View of the Golden Gate Bridge

Any trip to the Marin headlands would incomplete without taking in the majestic views from the Golden Gate Observation Deck.

This is a great stop to end a day in the park while watching the sunset over the city.

READ MORE: Check out this post on the best private tours in San Francisco.

Explore the Historic Gun Batteries

The hillsides lining the entrance to the bay are dotted with large gun batteries that were used to protect San Francisco from potential attack.

The guns have been removed but the relics of thick concrete emplacements and the armories now act as amazing viewpoints.

You can check out Battery Spencer, Battery Kirby, and Battery Wagner to name a few.

Stop at Downtown Sausalito

This coastal town is a perfect place to visit after a day of exploring at Black Sand beach.

You can check out some of the boutique shops or grab something to eat at one of the city’s amazing restaurants.

This includes the historic Scoma’s which is famous for its Cioppino and its fresh steamed Dungeness crab.

The best part about Sausalito is its views across the bay of Angel Island and San Francisco.

If you want to explore another coastal town, check out the charming town of Bolinas.

Visit Muir Woods National Monument

Do you want to walk amongst the towering coastal redwoods close to San Francisco?

This majestic park gets just under one million visitors per year, and it’s easy to see why.

The hiking trails are easy and well-maintained so it’s great for the entire family.

Getting to Muir Woods is an easy drive from Black Sand Beach, but make sure to secure a parking reservation beforehand.

Other Beaches in San Francisco near Black Sand Beach

Kirby Beach

beach with red bridge in the background
Kirby beach – one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge

Kirby beach is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist spots because of its unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach is located just outside the bay looking up at the bridge.

The sandy beach gets really crowded at times and the parking is scarce, so come early and be prepared to hike one mile down to the beach.

Local Tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds

Tennessee Valley Beach 

If you are looking for a less-visited beach in San Francisco away from mass tourism, this is your best bet.

The hike down the Tennesse Valley Trail is fairly flat but the 1.7-mile trip keeps the crowds from overtaking the beach.

The highlight is the beautiful rock outcroppings and the view of the engine of the SS Tennesse shipwreck that can be seen at low tide.

Rodeo Beach

beach in marin county
Rodeo Beach – a dog-friendly beach in San Francisco

This pebbly beach is a hot spot for bay area surfers and dog lovers alike. The long strip of beach is flanked by water with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Rodeo Lagoon on the other.

As previously mentioned, this beach is one of the few dog-friendly beaches in San Francisco but leashes are required.

FAQs on Visiting Black Sands Beach

Is Black Sand Beach clothing optional?

This Black Sand Beach in California is clothing optional, but naturists and nudists tend to stay to the westernmost end near the rock outcropping which is away from the crowds.

Is Black Sands Beach Dog-friendly?

Dogs are not allowed at Black Sand Beach even with a leash. There is a sign at the trailhead going toward the beach that shows that dogs are prohibited.

Instead, take your pet to the dog-friendly Rodeo beach which is just a short drive from Black Sand Beach.

Wrap-Up: Black Sand Beach in San Francisco

At this point, you know everything about the Black Sand Beach in San Francisco. This beach offers the privacy and quiet time you may need after a long day.

Now pack up your bag and check the tide tables so that you can experience one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in San Francisco and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

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