A List of Our Favorite Bay Area Labyrinths
Did you know that the San Francisco Bay Area is a labyrinth metropolis? It seems like no matter where you go you will run into one of these self contained paths eventually. The act of walking the twisting turns into the center and back out again can be a meditative act or a way to untangle a personal dilemma. You always start and end at the beginning. The centers often hold a collection of objects that people want to leave behind. The last time I visited the labyrinth in the Marin Headlands, someone had left a note facing up. As a result, I learned that someone named Brandon had not been a very good boyfriend.
The Marin Headlands Labyrinth. Photo by Vita Mei Hewitt
The origin of the labyrinth is unknown. Their history goes back at least 4000 years. They are found etched in the coins from the ancient Greek city of Knossos in 350 BCE, yet labyrinths were found in most ancient cultures. In cultural texts the labyrinth appears most famously in the story of the Minotaur, a mythical creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man.
One form of labyrinth that we see commonly here in the Bay is the outdoor turf maze. Traditionally these were more for recreation and pleasure for peasants. Though they were meant to be used primarily for festivals and celebrations, you can’t really expect that they wouldn’t have fun with them in the meantime. Turns out, it was a favored past time to get stinking drunk and run through them. Please note, this is not a suggestion…maybe.
Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is credited with the beginning of the labyrinth movement here in the Bay Area. They laid down a copy of the Chartres labyrinth in 1991 as a way to find release during the AIDS crisis. Since then, it’s hard to go on a hike without finding one. Sadly, the beloved one that used to sit overlooking the ocean at Land’s End is no more. The good news it that you can still visit it’s twin at the Marin Headlands. If you want to find one, you can always go on The World Wide Labyrinth Locator (Not kidding, it a real thing) at labyrinthlocator.com I highly suggest taking a peek. A labyrinth could be lurking near you.
Grace Cathedral has both an indoor and an outdoor labyrinth for guests to enjoy. The cathedral hosts a candle light walk on the second Friday of each month from 6-8. You can find information here gracecathedral.org/our-labyrinths/
The interior Grace Cathedral Labyrinth. Photo by Vita Mei Hewitt
The Scott Street Labyrinth
Nestled behind the Harvey Milk Photo Center is the Scott Street Labyrinth. It is surround by a rainbow of mosaic of tiles. This is a classic design, which is the one that looks a little like brain. Walk it on your way to one of the Photo Center’s many art shows. harveymilkphotocenter.org
One of many Bay Area Labyrinths Photo by Vita Mei Hewitt
The Labyrinth at Bernal Hill
Located on Bernal Height’s Boulevard in San Francisco, this began as a classic three circuit labyrinth but visitors have added stones and it has become more of a spiral. https://inspiredimperfection.com/adventures/bernal-hill-labyrinth/
Marin Headlands Labyrinth
Also known as the Tennessee Point Labyrinth. Go to the right of the Rodeo Beach Parking lot. Follow the path to the left. It’s not a long hike and the ocean views will take your breath away. hikingproject.com/trail/7007266/tennessee-point-trail
Fairfax Turf Labyrinth
A good example of a turf labyrinth located at the end of Oak Manor Drive in the town of Fairfax. It’s a short hike but you will be rewarded with views of Mount Tamalpais with San Francisco winking at you in the distance. It is suggested that you bring a rock to add as you walk it. Find it here
The Fairfax Oak Manor Labyrinth – Photo by Vita Mei Hewitt
Shell Beach in Bodega
This one is a bit hidden. You can find it off of the Kortum trail just north of Shell Beach. It’s sandwiched between the first fence and the first boardwalk, about 100′ inland. This one in particular is a beautiful journey as you end facing the ocean.
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Photographed by Carolyn McCoy @moonmama_rocks.
Charles M. Schultz Museum
It’s in the shape of Snoopy’s head. There is a Peanuts museum and an ice skating rink. Do you really need to hear more reasons to go? schulzmuseum.org/explore/permanent-exhibition/
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Frolic in the spring with the frogs and newts that live near this labyrinth. Sibley is a classic seven circuit labyrinth with an odd eighth ring added to it. Find it here
Photographed by Carolyn McCoy @moonmama_rocks
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