Slacker Hill – A Short Hike To Views High Above San Francisco

Slacker Hill is a discreet and short hike that will lead you to fantastic panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Skyline, and the Pacific Ocean. Located 900 Ft above sea level in the Marin Headlands, Slacker Hill gives you a unique vantage point high above the Golden Gate Bridge.

Battery Spencer is the main attraction in the Headlands and draws crowds from visiting tourists. Slacker hill is less than a mile away and it’s relatively untraveled. It indeed is a local secret to enjoy.

Slacker Hill – What To Expect

• A dirt path hike with a 350+ feet climb to the peak
• 900 feet in elevation at the peak
• Slacker Hill Parking is free with two different lots to start from
• Dogs are not allowed on the trail
• Amazing 360° views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands
• There is no shade and the views can be obstructed where there is fog

Getting to Slacker Hill

There are 2 options you can take to get to the top of Slacker Hill. Both of which are fairly close to each other. If you want to do a longer hike you can park close to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and take the SCA trail. Otherwise, you can park closer for a half-mile walk.

Via The Coastal Trail

The trailhead to the Coastal Trail route could be hard to find. It’s located on McCullough Rd. slightly down the road from the roundabout. There is a white gate and a sign for the trail. The gate is to prevent cars from driving up the Slacker Hill trail, but hikers can walk around the ends.

• .5 mile one way ( 1- mile round trip out and back)
• 350 Ft. hike to the top
• Parking by Conzelman Rd. and McCullough Rd. intersection.

Via The SCA Trail

To get to Slacker Hill from the SCA trail, you need to cross Conzelman Rd to connect to the SCA trail. There will be a set of short stairs and a sign to continue on the SCA trail.

• 1.6 mile one way hike (3.2 miles round trip out and back)
• 670 Ft. hike to the top
• Parking by North Tower Golden Gate Parking Lot

Parking at Slacker Hill

Depending on where you wish to start your hike. There are two lots for parking, one for the longer Slacker Hill SCA Trail and one for the Coastal Trail. Parking is free at whichever lot you choose to start from.

The traffic pattern on Conzelman Rd is a one-way road and cars can only descend the hill. To reach the Coastal Trailhead you must go through the Bunker Hill tunnel and behind the headlands to reach the parking.

Slacker Hill SCA Trail Parking

The parking is located at the North Tower Golden Gate Parking. There are 46 well-marked spots with two reserved for handicapped parking. The Parking lot has 46 spaces and it does fill up quickly. as the lot is shared with visitors going to Battery Spencer.

Even with this being the case, the parking spaces turnover is high. You typically will not have to wait long before a space opens up if the lot is currently full. The lot is located on your immediate left after turning onto Conzelman Road.

Coastal Trail Parking

The Parking for the Coastal Trail is located near the roundabout of Conzelman Road and McCullough Rd. There are spots for about 7 cars here with 1 spot reserved for handicapped parking. The parking lot is easy to miss since there are no marked signs for parking nor drawn spaces. It’s marked by the restroom and the area of dirt you see as you traverse the roundabout.

Getting to Slacker Hill by Uber & Lyft

Taking an Uber or Lyft is quite an easy option as well. Our recommendation is to only take Uber to the Slacker Hill SCA Trailhead. While you can Uber to the Coastal Trailhead, it’s easier to coordinate pickups and drop-offs for the Slacker Hill SCA Trailhead than it is for the Coastal Trailhead. The Coastal Trailhead is also a longer and costlier drive with limited spaces to stop for a pickup.

Local Tips

Weather

A trip to San Francisco always includes a tip about the weather because of its microclimates. A visit to Slacker Hill can be quite foggy during the summer months. Though the one constant thing would be the high winds. The temperature can drop drastically close to the sunset so it’s a good idea to have a jacket handy if you’re hiking during that time.

Best Times To Visit

Our favorite time to visit is an hour before the sunset or sunrise. There is no shade so it can be a bit brutal with a combination of elevation gain and the direct sun, that is if no fog is out. The sunset views from the peak provide an amazing and calming experience during “golden hour”. At the peak, you watch the sunset over the entirety of San Francisco. Visiting early or late in the day also ensures you avoid the traffic and crowds on Conzelman Rd.

Beware of Poison Oak and Coyotes

There are poison oak and coyotes in the area. Both of which are more the reason to stay on the trail. I’ve encountered curious coyotes during the day coming out into the parking

Nearby Things To Do

Battery Spencer – On the way down Conzelman Rd. is the main tourist attraction in the nearby area. You’ll get a closer view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a shorter and easier hike. It will be crowded and parking will be difficult especially during hours close to sunset.

Point Bonita Lighthouse – Nearby in the Marin Headlands, you can visit an active lighthouse with amazing views of the bay.

Check out our other article for other amazing views in San Francisco.