This week we decided to take advantage of the warm weather and blue skies to walk the newly opened Vista Point Trail, which connects the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge with Fort Baker and Sausalito in Marin County.

SFbike.org recently published a report on the newly completed Vista Point Trail, a celebration for Bay Area bikers (and walkers) wanting a safer and easier way into the Sausalito area with all of the sweeping views along the way. The path helps cyclists and pedestrians avoid Alexander Avenue, which can be a dangerous route. The trail completion also helps close a gap in the Bay Trail that rings San Francisco and San Pablo bays.

We started at North Vista Point (Dana Bowers Vista Point) and paused along with throngs of tourists to take classic photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a clear, beautiful day and the hawks were circling above the hills.

We took our time getting oriented and locating the trailhead from the parking area. From the east side of the bridge, the path loops down the hillside of the Marin Headlands. Pedestrians and bikes share the path here, and there are turnouts to stop and admire the views. The new trail is only about a third of a mile long, making it a relatively short walk down into Fort Baker.

We followed the gentle curve of the trail beneath the bridge, where we encountered a few other pedestrians snapping photos and more cyclists coming up the hill.

Emerging on the other side, we approached Horseshoe Bay and the Fort Baker Fishing Pier. We made our way to the Cavallo Point Lodge and enjoyed a celebratory brunch at Sula. For those with the motivation, it is possible to continue walking from Fort Baker into downtown Sausalito. We decided to save Sausalito for another visit.

The Vista Point Trail is a car-free, stress-free way to take in some of the most stunning views in the area. Looking back upward toward the bridge’s cables and towers, the value of the route is obvious. Reclaiming the trail is a win for anyone exploring the Headlands on foot or two wheels.