Parks

Crissy Field has new neighbors — 7 acres of tidal wetlands and a hilltop park-to-be

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seeing the return of natural landscapes is a very inspiring thing,” said Christine Lehnertz, president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, which has worked to bring these and other projects in the Presidio to pass. “One piece at a time adds up to so much more.”

From left, Middle School Summer Programs Instructors Imari Keith, Aiden Koontz, Kathleen Wong, Olive Tambou, Dion Chung, and Nhi Nguyen. The six youth leaders from summer 2019 were all past participants in Crissy Field Center programs.
Our Work

Discover New Virtual Programs at Park Youth Exchange!

Parks are a place of recreation, healing, exploration, education, and wonder. Continue your park adventures even during shelter in place and find your next experience on Park Youth Exchange, where you can find dozens of virtual programming for students, families, and kids of all ages.
A light dusting of snow on Mt. Tamalpais
Parks

Things to do in the parks this winter

We get more mild winters here in the Golden Gate National Parks then some of our friends at parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone—but we certainly do have subtle seasonal changes to enjoy. Dramatic early sunsets behind the Golden Gate Bridge, a wintery palette of coastal vegetation, and the (very) occasional...
Aerial view of Ocean Beach showing waves lapping against the shore before San Francisco, along with the Golden Gate and Marin Headlands in the background.
Parks

Ocean Beach Photo Gallery

Picture a 3.5-mile stretch of white beach with few tourists and no highrises. It's just you and the waves and the seabirds at Ocean Beach, on the westernmost border of San Francisco, adjacent to Golden Gate Park. Scroll through our photo gallery of beloved beach.

Alcatraz’s gardens are flourishing, against all odds

National Geographic

Here’s how a desolate rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay became a tourist hotspot—and horticultural haven.

The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Power Plant seen in the background.
Parks

Alcatraz fall 2020: Photos of the new experience

Alcatraz Island is the Bay Area's most unique daytrip. In fall 2020, boats were running at 20% capacity to allow for social distancing, giving people plenty of room to roam on the island. Here are photos that capture this unique time on the island, along with the history, gardens, and...
Visitors enjoy Alcatraz Island.
Article

The new Alcatraz experience: Now is the time to escape to Alcatraz Island!

In this article, we’ll get you set up with some tips to explore Alcatraz like a seasoned park ranger. Visit for those views, for the lush gardens, and the history that ties into present-day social justice movements. Here are some of our insider tips.
A visitor takes a photo on Alcatraz Island.
Our Work

New Alcatraz outdoor audio tour app helps visitors explore historic island

Alcatraz Cruises has limited passenger capacity on ferries to the island to 20% and also enlisted enhanced safety measures on the dock and the boats to help reduce the potential spread of Covid-19. This is truly a special time to have this historic island almost entirely to yourself.

Alcatraz Island to reopen Monday after being closed five months due to pandemic

San Jose Mercury News

The move comes after the National Park Service, which owns Alcatraz, has been steadily reopening other national parks, including Yosemite, Muir Woods, Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Pinnacles and others, often with reduced visitation and closed visitor centers.

Peregrine falcons swoop into Alcatraz, and here come the chicks

San Francisco Chronicle

Two peregrine falcons are doing what few creatures in history have decided to do — take up residence on Alcatraz by choice and start a family. The falcons enjoy the fabled prison site so much they built themselves a nest on the west side of the island — believed to...