San Francisco as seen from Horseshoe Bay at Fort Baker

The Needles near Moore Rd. at the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge

The Needles, and the Lime Point Historic Lighthouse at the base of the north tower

The Needles, and the Lime Point Historic Lighthouse at the base of the north tower

San Francisco as seen from Fort Baker at Cavallo Point

Moore Rd. Pier and the distant Alcatraz

Moore Rd. Pier

Moore Rd. Pier

Moore Rd. Pier

Lime Point Historic Lighthouse at the base of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge

Lime Point Historic Lighthouse at the base of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge

Moore Rd. Pier

The Golden Gate Bridge from East Rd. at Cavallo Point

Vertical Garden at Mollie Stone's in Sausalito

The Baker-Barry Tunnel on Bunker Rd. going into the Marin Headlands

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Lagoon

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

South Rodeo Beach and Bird Rock

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

South Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach formed about 5,000 years ago when sea level rise slowed after melting of the last glacial period. At that time, this sandy barrier beach dammed an ancient stream valley to form Rodeo Lagoon. Strong waves and currents produce the unusually coarse pebbly beach sand here today.

Watchful beachcombers can find a rainbow of pebbles dotting the shore. The vibrant colors are the result of the most common rock found in the Marin Headlands: radiolarian chert. Trace amounts of iron in the chert pebbles are oxidized in different amounts to produce a wide spectrum of colors, including green, yellow, red and black. Admire these natural beauties all you like, but please don't take them from the beach.

Rodeo Beach

The Golden Gate Bridge viewed from Conzelman Rd. in the Marin Headlands

The Golden Gate Bridge viewed from Conzelman Rd. in the Marin Headlands

February's full moon rising, as seen from a window in the round room

February's full moon rising, as seen from a window in the round room