Hawk Hill Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hawk Hill Park is a popular destination in Marin County, California, known for its stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is located on a prominent hill, which serves as a prime location for birdwatching and spotting raptors, including the famous migrating hawks.
Visitors to Hawk Hill Park can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge from various vantage points. The park's Hawk Tower provides a 360-degree view of the area, and visitors can observe hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey from the tower's observation deck.
Apart from the scenic views, Hawk Hill Park offers numerous outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, picnicking, and kite flying. The park has several hiking trails that traverse through the rolling hills and grasslands, providing visitors with ample opportunities to explore the area's natural beauty.
Interesting facts about the area include that Hawk Hill is a prime location for raptor migration, with nearly 19 species of hawks and eagles being sighted here. The park is also home to several endangered species such as the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.
The best time to visit Hawk Hill Park is between August and December, when the park buzzes with the activity of migrating raptors. During this period, visitors can witness thousands of raptors flying overhead, making it a unique and thrilling experience.
In conclusion, Hawk Hill Park is a must-visit destination in California for its stunning views, numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, and unique birdwatching experience.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Rob Hill Campground
|
||
Aquatic Park Cove
|
||
Candlestick RV Park
|
||
Kirby Cove Campground
|
||
Bicentennial Campground
|
||
Ridge Sites
|
Golden Gate Heights Park
West Portal Playground
John P. Murphy Playground
Rock Outcropping
White Crane Spring