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History

Two NPS staff members carry the Big Hat to the Alcatraz ferry.
Stories

An Unexpected Escape from Alcatraz: The Giant Ranger Hat

A giant park ranger hat has caused quite the stir around the Golden Gate National Recreation Area—have you spotted it? This oversized, playful hat isn't just a sight to see, it has a fascinating history tied to visionary National Park Service rangers and a local community that champions welcome and...
An NPS ranger holds a sign that says "Gay and Lesbian Employees of the National Park Service" in the San Francisco Pride Parade.
Stories

The untold story of how LGBTQ+ park rangers started marching in Pride

On a Sunday in June 1972, spectators gathered in celebration to watch “gay horseback riders, marching bands, and drag queens throwing kisses” during the first ever “official” San Francisco Pride Parade. Twenty years later, when the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) was established in the National Park Service, members were...
A photo of Amy Meyer
Stories

Women of Golden Gate

"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." - Ida B. Wells The Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution barred states from excluding women from the ballot based solely on the basis of their sex. Signed into law on August 26, 1920, its passage...
A reenactment actor telling stories from the Civil War
Events

Fort Point Living History Weekend

Fort Point Entrance
Fort Point Living History Weekend is FREE to the public.
A park ranger leads a program at Alcatraz Island
Gateways Article

Meet the Alcatraz park ranger sparking new conversations on the island

Ranger Oliver Goodman was raised in a family where "nobody hiked, nobody camped," but attending protests and participating in community events were a part of everyday family life. Alcatraz immediately struck him.
The view from the Alcatraz Cruises boat to Alcatraz Island.
Parks

Alcatraz video visit: Tour Alcatraz Island for views, gardens, NEW stories

Get a sneak peek at new things to find on the island as we celebrate 50 years of Alcatraz being open to the public as a national park site.
Seal Rocks seen in the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco's Lands End.
Parks

Lands End: How to find its hidden secrets

A sign at Lands End states: "Terrains that have been shaped by human activity in response to nature have a name—cultural landscapes." Here's a sampling of what you can learn on one of our member tours of the area.
The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from China Beach.
Parks

San Francisco’s China Beach: The Eras Tour

China Beach, the small, sandy cove nestled between Baker Beach and Lands End, isn’t just a hidden gem, it’s a prized jewel.
A sunset photo of the rainbow pride flag flying in the parks.
Gateways Article

Here's where you can hike through history with Pride in the GGNRA

Time travel is a walk in the park in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). For Pride Month and beyond, let’s make our way through some of the queer history in the parks. In more recent history, our park sites existed as military bases and fortifications—see the batteries and...
A historical photo of an incarcerated gardener watering plants in the gardens of Alcatraz.
Parks

Alcatraz Incarcerated Gardeners

Learn about the stories of Alcatraz Island's incarcerated gardeners.