Trojan Point is a grassy ridge on the south-facing slope of Mount Tamalpais with wide, unobstructed views of the Pacific and the Bay Area skyline in the far distance. It's a 5-minute walk from the parking lot — no difficult terrain — and gives you a long, open clearing where you have genuine choice in where to set up. That flexibility matters a lot for proposals.
A natural circular opening that works like a stage — the ocean fills the background and the Bay Area skyline appears faintly in the far distance. Open enough for a photographer to stay well back and still get close-up expressions. Dramatic and uncluttered.
Just off the main path to the right, with a lush grassy hillside as the backdrop rather than the ocean. Softer, more intimate feel — the green works beautifully at golden hour and reads very differently from Spot 1. Good if you want variety within one session.
The parking lot is a small lot with about 15 spaces. On Sunday evenings it's relatively empty around 6pm but overflows by 7pm — which is also when golden hour light is at its best. Monday evenings tend to be much quieter. If you're planning around a specific golden hour window, arriving 45–60 minutes before sunset is a safe approach.
For surprise proposals, the setup is actually quite natural. There are usually a few other visitors scattered along the ridge — hikers, people watching the sunset — which means a photographer standing nearby with a camera pointed at the view doesn't read as unusual. Your partner is unlikely to notice anything is planned until the moment itself.
Parking is in the small lot accessed via Pantoll Road on Mount Tamalpais. From the lot, a short, easy path leads up to the long clearing — the walk takes about 5 minutes at a relaxed pace and involves no significant elevation gain. The ground is grassy and can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are worth considering. The location is exposed to wind, which picks up in the afternoon — it's worth knowing before you plan what to wear.
Phone signal can be patchy at the top. I recommend exchanging a backup contact plan with your photographer before heading up, particularly if you're coordinating a proposal surprise.
A few miles north of Trojan Point along the ridgeline, Bolinas Bay Viewpoint offers a similar open clearing with views of Stinson Beach below and Bolinas Bay beyond. The parking area is smaller (6–10 cars) and it's consistently less crowded than Trojan Point — often just a handful of visitors even at golden hour.
The two main spots here are an ocean-facing clearing similar in character to Trojan Point Spot 1, and a viewpoint looking toward Stinson Beach that has a softer, more layered feel. The spots aren't as distinct from each other as Trojan Point's two options, but if you're planning on a busy weekend evening and want somewhere quieter, Bolinas Bay Viewpoint is worth considering as a backup or primary location.
Both locations are within a short drive of each other, making it feasible to scout both and choose based on conditions on the day.
I've scouted both Trojan Point and Bolinas Bay and can advise on which fits better for your timing and vision. Reach out and let's talk through the plan.
Get in TouchWide Pacific beach with the Golden Gate Bridge. Best at golden hour.
San FranciscoRoman columns, reflecting pools, and grounds that look like a film set.
Palo AltoHidden Spanish-colonial garden on the Peninsula. Arches, fountains, warm tones.