Highlights for two hours or less...
• Spot whales at Muir Beach Overlook during their winter migration (December through February).
• Tour the Cold War-era Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands.
• Scan the sky for migratory birds of prey (raptors) soaring above Marin Headlands on Hawk Hill in the fall.
• Touch the historic 16 inch gun at Battery Townsley in Marin Headlands.
• Watch the sun set over the ocean at the Cliff House.
• Take a cell phone tour of Fort Baker, an Endicott- period army post from the early 19 hundreds.
• Play with interactive exhibits at the Golden Gate Bridge plaza.
• Walk around restored wetlands at Crissy Field.
• Learn about two centuries of Presidio military life on a ranger-guided tour.
• Discover what makes Fort Point noteworthy and collect an N P S Civil War trading card.
• Explore the ruins of Sutro Baths and nearby Sutro Heights Gardens.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate at one of the many overlooks.
• Walk the Esplanade at Ocean Beach.
• Take a history walking tour of Fort Mason.
• Take a wildflower walk at Fort Funston (in spring).
• Look for red-legged frogs in ponds at Mori Point.
If you have half a day or more...
• Hike from the ocean to the top of Montara Mountain (2,000 feet) at Rancho Corral de Tierra.
• Find the Bay Discovery Site on Sweeney Ridge where Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà first saw San Francisco Bay in 1769.
• Join in the Junior Ranger program at Alcatraz. Reserve tickets ahead!
• Bicycle along the waterfront from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park across the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Spencer- and panoramic views of the city.
• Catch fish at Fort Point, Baker Beach, or Ocean Beach.
• Camp at Kirby Cove, with a panoramic view of the Golden Gate.
• Take the rocky trail out to the Point Bonita Lighthouse (limited hours).
• Spot wrens, jays, spotted owls, and other wild creatures among the coast redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument.
• Hike, bike, or ride a horse to the ocean on the Tennessee Valley Trail.
• Spend the day at Stinson Beach, the park’s only life- guarded beach.
Where is this park?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a non-contiguous series of national park lands north, south, and within San Francisco California.
↑ back to top
Activities in the Park
There are many activities to choose from at G G N R A. A few highlights include
Alcatraz Ferry Ride
Golden Gate Bridge Plaza
Mori Point Frog Ponds
Muir Woods National Monument Loop Trail
San Francisco Bay Promenade and Crissy Field
Fort Point
↑ back to top
Time Issues
Most of the sites in Golden Gate National Recreation Area are accessible by public transit, but since the park lands are located throughout San Francisco as well as areas to the north and south of the city, time and transportation are factors that will require you to plan your trip in advance.
Getting Around: MUNI buses (w w w.s f m t a dot com) serve most park sites in the city and the Marin Headlands. MUNI lines connect to other systems in the Bay Area. (www.bart.gov), Marin County (goldengate.org); East Bay (w w w. a c transit.org); and Peninsula (w w w .cal train.com and w w w.s m c t d .com).
Alcatraz Reservations highly recommended: (414-981-7625) or w w w .alcatraz cruises .com. Ferries leave from Pier 33. Be advised that America the Beautiful Pass does not cover ferry ride.
The following are recommendations for activities based on time available to spend in the parks.
This section is headed with a picture of one of the Marin Headlands scenic overlooks. At the edge of the overlook, visitors face the view of the ocean and head down trails towards Point Bonita. The caption reads “miles of roads and trails ideal for hiking and biking, traverse the Marin Headlands”.
Highlights for two hours or less
• Spot whales at Muir Beach Overlook during their winter migration (December through February).
• Tour the Cold War-era Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands.
• Scan the sky for migratory birds of prey (raptors) soaring above Marin Headlands on Hawk Hill (in fall).
• Touch the historic 16 inch gun at Battery Townsley in Marin Headlands.
• Watch the sun set over the ocean at the Cliff House.
• Take a cell phone tour of Fort Baker, an Endicott- period army post from the early 19 hundreds.
• Play with interactive exhibits at the Golden Gate Bridge plaza.
• Walk around restored wetlands at Crissy Field.
• Learn about two centuries of Presidio military life on a ranger-guided tour.
• Discover what makes Fort Point noteworthy and collect an NPS Civil War trading card.
• Explore the ruins of Sutro Baths and nearby Sutro Heights Gardens.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate at one of the many overlooks.
• Walk the Esplanade at Ocean Beach.
• Take a history walking tour of Fort Mason.
• Take a wildflower walk at Fort Funston (in spring).
• Look for red-legged frogs in ponds at Mori Point.
If you have half a day or more...
• Hike from the ocean to the top of Montara Mountain (2,000 feet) at Rancho Corral de Tierra.
• Find the Bay Discovery Site on Sweeney Ridge where Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà first saw San Francisco Bay in 1769.
• Join in the Junior Ranger program at Alcatraz. Reserve tickets ahead!
• Bicycle along the waterfront from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park across the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Spencer- and panoramic views of the city.
• Catch fish at Fort Point, Baker Beach, or Ocean Beach.
• Camp at Kirby Cove, with a panoramic view of the Golden Gate.
• Take the rocky trail out to the Point Bonita Lighthouse (limited hours).
• Spot wrens, jays, spotted owls, and other wild creatures among the coast redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument.
• Hike, bike, or ride a horse to the ocean on the Tennessee Valley Trail.
• Spend the day at Stinson Beach, the park’s only life- guarded beach.
This section ends with an image of the Muir woods boardwalk. Two visitors are walking on a boardwalk through the woods, surrounded by immense Redwood trees. There is also an image of the Mission blue butterfly shown at life size (about the diameter of a dime), an endangered species native to the bay area.
↑ back to top
Safety Messages
Use caution walking on trails and near the ocean. Weather conditions can alter safety conditions quickly. Talk to a ranger for up-to-date park conditions and recommendations.
↑ back to top
Tips
For a Safe Visit.
Federal laws protect all natural and cultural features in the park. Please enjoy things in their natural habitat and leave them undisturbed.
Dogs are allowed in most areas of the park; check the park website for area-specific regulations. Clean up waste.
Be prepared and dress in layers. Weather is unpredictable.
For a full list of regulations, including firearms information, check the park website.
Accessibility.
We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For additional information ask a ranger, check at a visitor center, visit the park website w w w.n p s dot gov/goga/index.h t m, or call 415-561-4958.
↑ back to top
Maps
This brochure includes three maps, one of the entire G G N R A, one of the northern half of the park and one of the south. The first is a blue, green, and tan map of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Above the map is a hawk flying with a fish in its claws. The map measures about 7 by 4 inches with one inch scaling out to ten miles. Dark green areas are lands managed by the G G N R A. Light green areas with dark green borders denote The Golden Gate National Recreation Area legislative boundaries. Dark blue areas along the shoreline are G G N R A water legislative boundaries. Light green areas show other public lands.
From north to south, the map covers the area from the Point Reyes National Seashore in the north to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in the south. On the Marin county side, north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the map shows Tomales Bay, Olema Valley, the Marin Municipal Water District, and Samuel P. Taylor state Park. To the south it locates Bolinas Lagoon, Muir Woods, Stinson beach, The Mount Tamalpais state park, Muir Beach, and the Marin headlands. South of the Golden Gate Bridge, the map shows Fort Point, The Presidio, the Cliff House, Ocean Beach, and Fort Funston in San Francisco. South of the city, it locates Milagra Ridge, Mori Point, Sweeny Ridge, the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed, Rancho Corral de Tierra, the Phleger Estate, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In San Francisco Bay, the map shows Angel Island State Park, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Alcatraz Island. In the Pacific Ocean it identifies the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge.
The bottom half of the front side of the brochure is a detailed map of the northern section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, scaled at 1 inch to the mile or about 5/8 inch to the Kilometer. It reaches from West Marin at Bolinas at the top left, to the Marin Headlands at the bottom. It flags six main Golden Gate National Recreation Area sites in dark green boxes with white type. These include Stinson Beach, the Muir Woods Visitor Center, Muir Beach, Marin Headlands Visitor Center, Fort Baker, and Alcatraz. Tiny red squares appear in many spots along the coastline indicating costal defense batteries. The map designates trailheads, with trails indicated by dotted green lines. You can ask a ranger for detailed trail maps of the Marin Headlands, and Muir Woods. The map also locates scenic overlook sites, picnic areas, and campsites, lifeguards on duty, horse facilities, lodging sites, lighthouses and locations where more information is available. It also identifies coves, and lagoons on the Pacific Coast, and the main highways and roads that serve this area.
This part of the brochure covers the right half of the back page. It is a detailed map of the southern section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, scaled at 1 inch to the mile or about 5 eighths inch to the Kilometer. It reaches from the City of San Francisco at the top, to Rancho Corral de Tierra in San Mateo County at the bottom. It flags seventeen sites, shown in dark green boxes with white type. Starting from the top the map shows Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason (park headquarters), Crissy Field, and Fort Point National Historic Site. Slightly bellow that it shows the Presidio of San Francisco, the Presidio Visitor Center, Baker Beach, China Beach, and the lands End Lookout. Along the coastline, southward, there are Ocean Beach, Fort Funston, Mussel Rock, and Mori Point. Inland in San Mateo County are Milagra Ridge, Sweeney Ridge, and Rancho Corral de Tierra.
Tiny red squares appear in many spots along the coastline indicating coastal defense batteries. The map designates trailheads, with trails indicated by dotted green lines. The map also locates scenic overlook sites, lifeguards on duty, horse facilities, lodging sites, lighthouses and locations where more information is available. Also shown are the main highways, and public transportation that serves this area.
↑ back to top
Camping
Camping
The park has four campgrounds, tents only. Bicentennial, Hawk Hill, and Haypress are small with limited services. Call 415-331-1540 for information. Kirby Cove accommodates larger groups; reserve ahead at w w w dot recreation dot gov. Rob Hill in the Presidio must be reserved through the Presidio Trust at w w w dot presidio dot gov.
↑ back to top