Hawk Hill and Battery Construction 129 Overlook

The Marin Headlands is a crown jewel of the Golden Gate National Parks abounding with places of natural wonder and beauty (Rodeo Lagoon/Valley, Gerbode Valley, Hawk Hill, Tennessee Valley) and remarkable historic sites (Point Bonita Lighthouse, Fort Cronkhite, Nike Missile Site, Battery Townsley). Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean, Hawk Hill is one of the parks best viewpoints and a prime spot for observing migrating raptors. Over the next several years, look for transformations that include new and enhanced trails, visitor amenities and signs, habitat restoration, and stabilization of the historic features. The first phase of the Hawk Hill/Battery Construction 129 Restoration and Trail Improvement Project was recently completed with the restoration of approximately six acres of coastal scrub and prairie vegetation, to create improved habitat for declining bird populations and the endangered Mission blue butterfly, and the preservation of the historic resources at Battery Construction 129. To restore this landscape and protect the battery, invasive Monterey pine and cypress trees were removed. Native coastal prairie vegetation was planted in February, 2012. Each fall, Hawk Hill is the primary site for Golden Gate Raptor Observatory hawk-monitoring studies by volunteers and public interpretive programs.