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National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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

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