Tennessee Beach is located 1.85 miles from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead, just south of Mill Valley in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A paved and packed dirt path drops through a broad coastal valley to the beach, an idyllic strand framed by towering coastal hills and a natural lagoon. Visitors will enjoy mild grades, bio-diversity and multiple trail connections in a bucolic setting.

Social trails lead up Tennessee Beach's north bluff to commanding views over the area

Runners and hikers may veer off the busy main trail through the wetlands

Poppy, the state flower of California, is common along the trail

The north end and iconic arch of Tennessee Beach

The Tennessee Lagoon outlet runs parallel to the beach from south to north

Runners enjoy mild grades and packed dirt roads all the way to Tennessee Beach

The wetlands of Tennessee Valley are great places to waterfowl, shore, and seabirds

Non-native turkey are common along upper portions of the trail

The Coastal Trail splits north from the Tennessee Valley Trail to Pirates Cove and Muir Beach

Looking south across Tennessee Beach