Batteries to Bluffs Stairway, South - San Francisco, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 47.920 W 122° 28.816
10S E 545755 N 4183604
Batteries to Bluff Trail is a 0.7 mile trail connecting Battery Godfrey at the north end and Battery Crosby at the south end. It is a moderate to difficult hike with many stairs. It follows the contour along a bluff above the Pacific Ocean.
Waymark Code: WMFP4V
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/11/2012
Views: 5
Traveling south along San Francisco's Lincoln Boulevard at
N 37° 47.808 W 122° 28.769 is a parking lot next to the trailhead for the
Batteries to Bluffs Trail. Parking here is limited to about 20 cars. From the parking area follow a sandy path out to the old gun battery,
Battery Crosby. Climb up a small stairway to get up to the top front of the battery walls. Walk along the front walls of the battery to the top of this stairway (posted coordinates).
Here begins a descent of about 100 feet of several dozen 4x12 plank-step stairways. Some steps are made from 4x4 posts laid U-shaped in the ground, making each step a landing almost. Only the top section of stairs has a handrail. Along the way, there are nice views of the not too distant Golden Gate Bridge. At the stairway bottom (N37 47.955 W122 28.841), the trail follows a contour line along the bluff about 50 feet above sea level. There is a cutoff trail down to Marshall's Beach, where there are an additional 35-40 steps down to the actual beach.
If you continue past the beach cutoff, the trail ascends back up to Battery Godfrey and the Dove Loop parking area.
No dogs due to sensitive bird habitat (dog walkers can use the Coastal Trail along Lincoln Boulevard).