This hike out to Tennessee Beach is easy and popular, but the highlight is the beach itself.
Location: Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: easy
Shade: open
Parking: the lot at Tennessee Valley Trailhead, or along the road nearby
Public Transportation: none
WC: toilets at the parking lot
Dogs: not allowed on most trails in Tennessee Valley, only on the Coastal Trail (on leash)
Hiked: Jul 2025
Trail Route & Notes
This hike is easy to follow: starting at Tennessee Valley trailhead, take the wide, paved trail out towards Tennessee Beach for 1.7 miles. There’s a spot where you can split off onto Lower Tennessee Valley Trail, which will rejoin the main Tennessee Valley Trail before you reach the beach. At the beach, enjoy the views, then turn around and go back the same way.
This hike starts on pavement, which I don’t love, but switches to dirt not too far into the hike. Lower Tennessee Valley Trail avoid the slight bit of hill, but the upper trail has nicer views of the valley. If you’re looking for an easy stroll, or beach views, this is a good hike. But if you’re looking for a more challenging hike, with views from the hills, there are other hikes from this trailhead I’d recommend over this one.
Looking for a slightly longer hike? Try this loop from Tennessee Valley to Coastal Trail and then Fox Trail.
Gallery
