Battery Spencer

Absolutely mesmerizing sunrise view of SF city, Golden Gate Bridge from here. Limited parking space though

My favorite place to see Golden Gate Bridge. Parking is a little small, but you can find it. Always very windy up here. You can see together GGB and a beautiful san francisco city view. If you want to take a selfie here, you need to stop by after noon. In early morning, you can’t see yourself with sun behind you. Stop by Welcome center in the morning and here in the afternoon.

This place gives you the most amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge! It’s a bit difficult to find parking here, but if you do, it’s a short walk up a hill to the top and the reward is 100% worth it. It’s a breathtaking view and you won’t be disappointed!

Parking is kind of a pain if you’re here on a weekend (tourist central). But it’s definitely worth it to park & walk to the view point. Don’t pass this up. You’ll regret it.

AWESOME location to see phenomenal views of the Golden Gate bridge and San Francisco. Get there early (8am) and have the place practically to yourself! The old batteries, despite being covered in colorful graffiti (even saw some Drake lyrics there!), are really cool to check out. There are some trails to take too, and we followed one for about a mile which led down to the water! The scenery around the trails was magnificent. It was a truly amazing experience to see all of this via one free location! We took a Lyft there and the driver had no issue finding us for pick up, either.

Best view of the Golden Gate Bridge you can find!
Parking was ridiculous but it moved fast since lots of people left while we got there.
It’s a hike up to the view but don’t be afraid, San Francisco looks beautify from here and I could write a poem about how that view is the reason why San Fran is the best city on Earth.
Regardless, a must-​go for tourists but don’t tell other tourists haha

Go to Battery Spencer for the best yet unique view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge! Almost everyone will choose the easy and the well-​known way at the Welcome Center on the south end, but Battery Spencer on the north end literally has the higher vantage without the obstruction!
Formerly a defensive battery, this viewpoint is now abandoned. Clearly Battery Spencer was not designed to be a tourist spot as the restroom is extremely sketchy and the whole ground remains wild, but hey, you are here only for the bridge anyway! Because you will be viewing the bridge toward the east, it’s also a great spot to see the sunrise against the most photographed bridge in the world.
That being said, while the battery is free to enter, you do have to pay the toll on the bridge if you return to SF, so you should also plan to visit Sausalito in the same crossing. However, I still think this is a much better place to view the Golden Gate Bridge not only because of the wonderful view but also because it’s much less crowded!
I went early in the morning though and you should too, because parking is extremely limited.
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tl;dr version:
1) Abandoned defensive battery with the best view of GGB
2) Free to view though the facilities are not maintained

Awesome view! Specially in a day like today, super sunny, almost no wind and absolutely lovely. I have a colleague visiting from London and during lunch time we venture to grab an Über and go from the Financial district to the Battery Spencer in Sausalito. Not too close but also not too far (lunch can wait or, better, you can have your improvised picnic there). Never seen the city and the Golden Gate from this perspective and so far is my favorite. Postcard picture worth it. If you are into romantic things, you won’t miss taking a pic of those little metal hearts… look for them!

Tourist place but the view of the bridge during the day and night are amazing!!! A spot to definitely bring friends and family from out of town to because you get such a wonderful view of the golden gate bridge! There’s also parking nearby or you can hike to this spot from cavallo lodge :)

Wonderful views of Golden Gate bridge. Check off the tourist agenda when you see this spot.
Parking is hard but if you’re patient someone will leave.
It can get really cold at night so bring jackets and blankets.

What a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge!!! Another breath taking view in San Francisco!
I’ve use to go here all the time before but it was even more special going with my gentleman! He yet again surprised me with this place! (:
The weather was perfect!!! No fog! I loved it! Usually when I would go here awhile back it would be gloomy, haha. We enjoyed our early morning here on [August 15, 2015] :)

You have to get across the Golden Gate Bridge for this spot. It’s a long walk up a hill so many drive. There’s limited parking spots. Can get windy so it will be hard to take a picture. But it’s worth the view.

Amazing view!!!
Came here for sunrise and kept coming back. I love it so much that I came here 4 times within 10 days!!! Overlooks the Golden Gate bridge, beautiful SF skyline, overlooks the bay and the ocean.
Parking can be a pain mid day during the weekend but if you come here for sun rise, there’s plenty of parking!

Being able to look right at the golden gate bridge from a close up view, is truly a great feeling! what more can u ask for?
Battery Spencer is located in the Marin Headlands and is a place you MUST visit!
Living in San Francisco residents don’t take advantage of the beautiful attractions that happen in there everyday neighborhood. Well… Let me just tell you… This is the place to see!
First time coming to this location was 3÷15÷15. Battery Spencer used to be a old military lookout but now it’s presented as the best view to see the Golden Gate Bridge and many tourist come here to experience the lovely view! Being able to see the cars driving across the Golden Gate Bridge and the people walking/​running on the pathways of the bridge! I’m speechless of how lucky we are here in California.
I learned a lot of history about the area. Lets just say that Battery Spencer has been around since YOU were born (Literally).
Weather gets pretty chilly so dress in layers and shoes!
Parking can be difficult but don’t let that be the reason you don’t come and visit! This is a sight that is worth *a million bucks* so be able to have the chance and take advantage of the lovely view looking over the Golden Gate Bridge. Don’t forget your camera this is truly a wonderful sight to see.
Truly a *MUST COME TO SPOT* when in San Francisco!

This could be easily be one of my favorite places. And not just in San Francisco. Even the parking situation doesn’t impact the rating.
Before I moved to San Francisco this has been the place where I came to look at the view and remember why I spent 14 hours in a plane to come to a city I’ve been before. Since I live in San Francisco I like to come here to remember why I pay so much rent and struggle with parking every day (I get the irony).
If you visit San Francisco, get here. It’s worth the way/​wait.

Definitely the BEST place for a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m born and raised in SF and I felt like a tourist when I was here. I was just so amazed by the view and how majestic the bridge looked. The bridge feels really close in front of you and you really can’t take a bad picture, especially when there’s clear skies.
The main downside to going here is that you have to drive and so there is basically no parking. There is a small lot right in front of the entrance to Battery Spencer and there are a few tiny lots if you keep driving up Conzelman Road. But, it gets pretty crowded and there’s usually a lot of traffic since its a one lane road each way.
I would recommend going early so that you have time to look for parking. The next small lot is about a mile away so be prepared to walk a little bit if you don’t get lucky with that first lot.
I would also recommend bringing food– there’s plenty of space to have a picnic and to sit and take in the scenery. I definitely want to come back but during sunset next time!

The best way to see the Golden Gate Bridge.
We watched the clouds pass through and it was awesome. We got lucky with parking since there are only a handful of spots but so worth it if you have to wait.
The Battery has some cool history of you’re able to read the plaques/​signs. Lots of graffiti– I wish the upkeep on the grounds was better :(since it is such a nice place. I wish my Boyf and I brought lunch and a blanket and took in the view.
Best thing– it’s free. :P

Great spot for visitors or photographers… totally different view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and the beautiful city! It’s probably the spot where you the postcard pics were taken too. The only thing I want to talk about here is how to get there.
Hidden gem, very hidden, as it took us half hour driving around to find the way!
So from the freeway, get off at the second exit at Alexander Avenue, take a left uphill, keep going, it’s steep, and not much traffic… there are several parking areas on the way, depending on how high you want to go. Don’t worry, you won’t miss it, as you will see a bunch other people taking pictures too. Just driving carefully!
Not much to say verbally, the pictures say it all!

BEST VIEW OF SF ever. I take all of my guests to this spot. Pictures will never do it justice.
(Bring cameras, bring LAYERS as it’s always cold or windy, day or night is awesome.)

Looking to change your point of view? Well for a view like no other of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and twinkling city across the San Francisco Bay there is no more stunning viewpoint than Battery Spencer.
From 1897 until 1943, Battery Spencer was a cold, isolated, and vital military outpost protecting the Golden Gate. Several buildings and placements for the large cannons that used to stand guard on the hill remain. Just beyond the desolate buildings, Battery Spencer offers a stunsome photobulous opportutastic panorama like no other of San Francisco.
Parking is almost impossible … almost …, but it is possible. If you can’t find a spot drive up a little further to a roundabout and then come back down the hill and «wait» behind other cars for someone to leave. It’s windy and cold up there. Most people won’t stay long, so, have patience … Good views come to those who wait.
The popular nearby tourist vista point across Redwood Highway 1 offers a nice view of the Golden Gate. Join the tour buses there if you like; however, for an even more impressive photo op, head up Conzelman Road to Battery Spencer.
You came to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and THIS is the spot to do so.