Tennessee Beach(Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Tennessee Cove Beach)

Located in the city of Mill Valley, Tennessee Cove Beach is a small, narrow, remote, and dark sand beach that is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Tennessee Cove Beach is situated on the west side of Marin Headlands at the mouth of Tennessee Valley in front of Tennessee Cove. Tennessee Cove Beach is surrounded by high rock walls and is a well-known destination for hiking and mountain biking.

Tennessee Cove Beach offers a couple of amenities including restrooms and trails.

There are many fun activities at Tennessee Cove Beach including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and beach exploration. If you are looking for additional activities, you can view shipwrecks of the SS Tennessee steamship from the northern end of the beach.

To access Tennessee Cove Beach, drive down to the end of Tennessee Valley Road where you will find a free parking lot. After parking, you will need to take the two-mile-long Tennessee Cove Trail that goes through the valley and a small freshwater pond before finally ending at the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Tennessee Cove Beach, you can drive 30 minutes to Muir Beach Overlook Trail which leads to Muir Beach Overlook, a cliffside park that was a U.S. Army coastal observation post during World War II. It offers incredible views of Pacific coastal cliffs and migrating blue whales between November and June. If you like hiking, there are other longer trails here as well – the new and multi-use Dias Ridge trail on a ridgeline offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, the trail on the east side leads to Coyote Ridge, and the trail on the south side leads to Point Bonita Lighthouse. Named after naturalist John Muir, Muir Woods National Monument is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is home to 240 acres of redwood forests. Another great attraction near Tennessee Cove Beach is Mooncow Bay, a historical landmark that features a great vista point to picnic or camp.

If you get hungry, you can drive 10 minutes to many restaurants near Tennessee Cove Beach. The Italian Aurora Sausalito - Ristorante e Pizzeria serves excellent thin-crust pizzas, homemade pasta, seafood, and vegan items. The Trident is an iconic 1960s-themed restaurant that is built over water featuring many international cuisines and a bar. Another good restaurant near Tennessee Cove Beach is the beachfront vegetarian-friendly restaurant Barrel House Tavern that offers steaks, waffles, burgers, beverages, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Tennessee Cove Beach, there are many hotels within a 12-minute drive. The 4-Star pet-friendly hotel Victorian-designed hotel Cavallo Point Lodge features a pool, bar, sauna, spa, restaurant, and gym.  Hotel Sausalito & Suites is a 3-Star, 14-bedroom, and two suites hotel overlooking Vina Del Mar Park. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Tennessee Cove Beach, the 2-Star Smiley’s Saloon, Hotel & Kitchen offers ocean view rooms.