Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history from California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, US military expansion and the growth of San Francisco. All of this and more awaits you, so get out and find your park.

Additional Information

Good For

Dogs

Families

Visually Impaired

Wheelchairs

Hearing Impaired

Activities

Birdwatching

Dog Walking

Hiking

Photography

Picnicking

Running

Trail Running

Wildlife Watching

Tent Camping

Sightseeing

Biking

Boating

Horseback Riding

Fishing

Camping

Guided Tours

Surfing

Rules & Regulations

No Unmanned Aircrafts

Visiting Golden Gate is free except for Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods National Monument.

Entrance fee is $0.00.

With the exception of the entrance fee for Muir Woods National Monument and the cost of the ferry to visit Alcatraz Island, there is no fee to visit lands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Directions

Golden Gate National Recreation Area has many sites that span over 60 miles of mostly coastal areas north and south of San Francisco. Park areas can be reached by Highways 1, 101 and 280 from the north and south San Francisco Bay Area, and by Highway 80 from the East Bay. To access park headquarters at Fort Mason, please use the entrance at Franklin and Bay Streets in San Francisco.

Weather

Winter is characterized by sporadic rain and cool weather punctuated by brilliant sunshine. In winter the grass greens. Trees and flowers dormant through winter start blooming in late February or early March and last until May or June. By July, summer fog predominates in most coastal areas of the park. Grasses and plants have now turned to the golden brown and muted grays characteristic of California summer and fall. September and October skies are clear and sunshine is abundant everywhere in the park.