Grey Whale Walk

Tour Walk RoutesThe Grey Whale runs along the western edge of Northern San Francisco Bay from San Francisco, through the seaside getaway towns of famous Californians, ending at the majestic Point Reyes National Seashore. This route follows a meandering course through fragrant coastal Chaparral, pine forests and redwoods and hugging the famous San Andreas Fault line.

This walk brings you along remote cliffs, expansive beaches, and through bird and wildlife sanctuaries in between the beach town hamlets of Bolinas, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach and on to Olema. You will crest the coastal mountains, and keep a view of the deep blue Pacific Ocean, with it’s thunderous crashing waves and imposing rock outcroppings. This is the most complete walking experience of the bay that is offered.

  • A diverse walking experience
  • Coastal walking to Point Reyes, Tomales Bay and along the San Andreas Fault.
  • Route: SF-Sausalito-Muir Beach-Stinson Beach-Olema-Inverness.
  • 7 days/6 nights.

Reserve this walk

 

Daily Walking Distances

Grey Whale Elevation Profile

Day 1
Arrive in San Franciscounnamed2
Suggested Day Hikes (optional)

Day 2
San Francisco to Sausalito
7-13 miles (11-20km)

Day 3
Sausalito to Muir Beach
7-14 miles (11-22km)

Day 4
Muir Beach to Stinson Beach
8 Miles (13km)

Day 5
Stinson Beach to Olema
9-17 miles (15-27km)

Day 6
Olema to Inverness
7-10 miles (11-16km)

Day 7
Inverness to San Francisco
Suggested Day Hikes (optional)

*Variable distance trail options are provided in your Trip Guide

Walking Itinerary Descriptions

San Francisco – Day 1

Arrive in San Francisco and enjoy this friendly, eclectic city. Each neighborhood offers something very different for every visitor. Ride the trolley cars, visit pier 39 and fisherman’s wharf, have Dim Sum in Chinatown, a taco in the Mission, and experience the city like a local. Short city walks and mini excursions will are suggested in your Trip Guide.

San Francisco to Sausalito – Day 2

Choose to take a longer walking tour though Golden Gate Park and along the rugged Western Pacific coast, or to take a shorter walk along the Marina District. Depending on your choice today, you will pass by the De Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Botanical gardens, and the Japanese Tea Gardens.
You will lunch with views of the bay and ocean, and then meander through the lavish Sea Cliff neighborhood via the Lands-end Trail carved from the steppes above the Pacific Ocean. Marvel at the historic Presidio, see old military batteries and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge with breathtaking views of Alcatraz, Angel Island and Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Alternately, you can choose to walk along the Marina’s historic Crissy field, bordering a former military base Fort Mason and Fort Point (now preserved for visitors). With the Golden Gate Bridge always in view, stroll along the Golden Gate Promenade Beach, where kite and wind surfers put on a show. Visit Fort Point and the Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center before you walk across the Golden Gate bridge.

Wind through Fort Baker, and descend into the boutique sailing town of Sausalito. Enjoy an afternoon of wine and cheese at your inn, nestled in a quiet hillside setting – a short hike to the heart of downtown and the waterfront.

Sausalito to Muir Beach – Day 3

Leave your cozy inn after a delicious well-appointed breakfast, walk through town to choose your trail lunch from a destination gourmet deli. Put it in your daypack and continue up hill through picturesque hills, by some spectacular homes inhabited by the rich and famous. You will come to the top of a hill, look back on the San Francisco bay, the wharf, Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel and Alcatraz Islands. The trails become more remote as you enter the bay area’s treasure: Golden Gate National Recreation Area: protected lands of Marin county. These lands have a rich history and a high biodiversity.

Along the trail today and tomorrow you will encounter native to California plants and animals. If you choose the longer route, you will visit historic Fort Cronkite buildings and batteries in the Marin Headlands. You can pop in at the Headlands Center For The Arts, the Marin Headlands visitor center, or visit enormous gun housings scattered on the hillside. Head to the beach, where magnificent waves crash on rock outcroppings, and where marine life can be seen up close. At the Marine Mammal Center you can see and learn about otters, harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seal pups that have been rescued from danger and are being rehabilitated for release. These centers are all free of charge. You will hook up with the original route via the Tennessee Valley trail which boasts magnificent coastal views the entire way. Winding your way through wilderness to the pristine waters of Muir Beach, you may see Deer, Elk, Coyote, Red Tailed Hawks, Egrets, and Herons. You will experience gorgeous vistas of these coastal mountains, seeing the city, bridge and bay from rare angles.

Arrive in Muir Beach ready to relax and watch a spectacular sunset – pint of beer, or glass of wine in hand.

*Option for a guided section of this trail – two hours hiking with an experienced naturalist can help you identify the plants, birds and other wildlife you encounter, and relay natural history of the area.

Muir Beach to Stinson Beach – Day 4

Walk through a Buddhist Farm and experience the quiet and calm of a meditative place in the still morning. On a clear day you will have coastal views almost the entire day today. HOOK up TO the historic Dipsea trail. Follow it down to Stinson beach – a sleepy beachside town that has been the location for more than 7 Hollywood movies! You may want to stay out of the water, as this is part of the red-triangle – a place with lots of marine mammals and great white sharks. Enjoy ocean views and stunning cliff vistas.

Stinson Beach to Olema – Day 5

Today, as you enter the National Seashore, you will experience the breathtaking views and beauty that characterize this area. You will have the choice between walking a high ridge trail with far-reaching valley views, or walking a longer coastal trail alongside ocean cliffs. Unless you are a very experienced hiker (2000 feet of elevation change and more than 16 miles hiking), both routes will incorporate a 10 minute scenic stagecoach or taxi ride along famous the Highway 1. You can choose to visit the reclusive hippie seaside town of Bolinas to experience it’s quirky downtown for a drink and a snack.

Olema to Inverness – Day 6

Today, you will visit the comprehensive Park visitor center that is a short walk from your Inn. From here, BEGIN TO HIKE the most stunning coastal trails in all of Northern California. Today you may choose to walk a loop to the remote coastal cliffs along the Pacific Ocean – a great overlook to spot birds and whales, OR you may continue your journey along a ridgeline to the Tomales Bayside town of Inverness. Either choice is an hearty adventure. Because you are more remote than previous days, today you may see animals that you haven’t seen thus far. These include: Bald Eagles, coyotes, Mule Deer, Tule Elk, and a wider variety of hawks and seabirds.

Inverness to Your Destination – Day 7

Today you have the choice to go on a day hike to a coastal waterfall ARCH ROCK, and popular beach hiking destination; or just head back via scenic bus and/or ferry or taxi. Detailed instructions will be provided to you to make this an easy transition back to the city.

Reserve this walk

OR

Compare Prices