Explore Parks
All ParksExploreActivitiesAlertsNewsroom
This site was made with love by Ben Myatt|API
National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Park ClosureJun 30, 2026

Independence Day Holiday Advisory - Stay Safe While Visiting on July 4th

View →
Park ClosureJun 29, 2026

Marin Headlands Baker-Barry Tunnel Traffic Control & Detour July 4th

View →
InformationJun 26, 2026

Upper Fort Mason Roads and Parking Area Closures Fall 2025 - Fall 2026

View →
White buildings with red roofs at Crissy Field with blue bay and Golden Gate Bridge and fog behind.

Visiting Crissy Field is an ever changing experience as the fog comes in and dissipates.

Photo: NPS photo/Will Elder

About

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.

Activities

Arts and CultureBikingMountain BikingCampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingFishingSaltwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - Walking
Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Horse Trekking
Horseback Riding
Living History
Reenactments
Junior Ranger Program
Surfing
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Museum Exhibits
Shopping
Bookstore and Park Store

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.

Get directions →

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.

News

May 4, 2026

Alcatraz Coyote Wasn’t a City Boy After All

After months of fieldwork and scientific analysis, National Park Service researchers have determined that the coyote that drew international attention in early 2026 after swimming to Alcatraz Island likely started his epic swim from Angel Island State Park

National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration Announce Final Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreement for San Francisco Bay Area Parks
Mar 18, 2026

National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration Announce Final Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreement for San Francisco Bay Area Parks

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service announce the publication of the final commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.