Virtual Guidebook to Marin and the North Bay Counties
Hawk Hill
Golden Gate National Recreation Area California

Every fall migrating raptors (hawks and eagles) soar across the Golden Gate at this point, utilizing the updraft caused by the 900 foot ridge. Volunteers and the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory have been monitoring the migration since the 1970's, counting over 30,000 individuals yearly.

World War II gun emplacements and their approach tunnels burrow under the ridgetops. Battery Project 129, directly under Hawk Hill, was not formally named because it was never armed - by the time it was ready the threat of Japanese invasion had vanished and the monstrous guns were diverted to battleships. The 16-inch guns had barrels 67 feet long and could hurl a one ton shell up to 26 miles.