It has been on my bucket list for the past several years to visit a black sand beach, and this last week I discovered the most beautiful hidden gem, and it wasn’t even too far from me. This Black Sand Beach is a small but exquisite find, about halfway in between the Point Bonita Lighthouse and the Golden Gate Bridge on your way down into San Francisco, California.
To get to the beach from the North Bay, you’ll want to head south on highway 101. Once you reach the Exit for Alexander Avenue, turn right and head up towards the lookout point for the Golden Gate Bridge (where everyone takes the famous selfies with the Golden Gate in the background). Instead of stopping there, you’ll want to continue down and around the cliffside, whilst enjoying beautiful views of San Francisco. When you reach the parking lot, it’s about a mile hike down, with built-in stairs and breathtaking views of the bay.
The black sand did not disappoint, and I was glad to see that the sand really was black and not just dark brown. The downside, however, is it is much hotter than regular sand, even with the winds of the bay, so shoes are probably a good idea, though I did not think that far ahead.
The beach wasn’t very crowded, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were San Francisco locals that haven’t heard of it. It’s a bit out of the way but worth the trek. The sand was soft and the water was nice and refreshing.
If you’re looking for a new beach to go to, and if you’ve never seen a black sand beach before, this small spot in the San Francisco area has my vote. With beautiful views throughout the journey, it’s sure to leave you feeling grounded and refreshed.