On the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge lies the other half of Golden Gate National Recreational Area and the Marin Headlands – a lush rolling landscape that dips down to the water for some fantastic views of the bay area. With only a few hours left in our day, we saw what we could. We barely made it to the visitors center for a map before they closed. From there, we took a short hike around Rodeo Lagoon to Rodeo Beach with spectacular up-close views of the Pacific Ocean. After a little time dodging waves, we climbed back up the hills to the ruins of Battery Spencer for a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge – just in time for sunset.
Rodeo Cove Hike
Golden Gate Bridge
Battery Spencer Ruins
A sign on the site reads, “For over half a century, this was one of the most strategically important sites guarding the Golden Gate. Completed in 1897, the battery was named for Joseph Spencer, who had been a major general in the army during the American Revolution. It was armed with 3 rifled guns having 12″ diameter barrels. The fortification saw continuous service until 1943, when it was declared obsolete and its guns scrapped.”
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