Park Stories

Highlighting the people, engaging programs and beautiful places that make the Golden Gate national parks special. Can't get enough? Sign up for our monthly E-ventures newsletter, and become a member today to receive our gorgeous Gateways Magazine. More about our publications here

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Volunteer working with soil in the Golden Gate National Parks.
Article
Most people don't think about the status of soils on a regular basis, nor do they think of the soils beneath our feet as a collection of living organisms. But they are.
Pole surrounded by a knitted American flag at Fort Point National Historic Site
Article
Standing at Fort Point, surrounded by these totems, was a reminder of our weekly community volunteer programs where we are hoping to create a space to honor native people, and all the migrant cultures that represent the Bay Area.
Box steps challenge hikers along the Batteries to Bluffs Trail
Gateways Article
Welcome to our new Hit the Trail feature! We’ll go in-depth on one of our park sites and get you ready to explore. First up: The western edge of the Presidio.
The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Rock's famed water tower in the background.
Gateways Article
Shelagh Fritz, Program Manager for Alcatraz Historic Gardens, has worked to install an innovative rainwater catchment system on the Rock. We sat down with Shelagh to learn more.
Five friends sitting outside at Sutro Heights Park holding up Fort Point Beer cans.
Article
Winter is here...oops, we mean summer. Summer is here. Just because it’ll (probably) be gloomy out until September, it doesn’t mean activities and happenings in your parks are hibernating. See what’s in store for June through August with this fun roundup.
Park Rangers Takeo Kishi, left, and Jasmine Reinhardt at Muir Woods.
Article
So you’re running Bay to Breakers and you still don’t have a costume idea? How about paying homage to the parklands you love in and around the city? Here are some easy costume ideas that will signal to everybody that right after this run, you’re ready for a hike.
Close up between grass blades, showing an ant hovering over a caterpillar.
Gateways Article
It’s a larvae-eat-larvae world out there. But somewhere along the line, nature evolved a way of balancing things out: a symbiotic relationship with native formicine ants.
Ocean Beach
Park E-Ventures Article
Flanking San Francisco’s westernmost edge, Ocean Beach’s thunderous surf seems inviting on those rare hot days in San Francisco. But the hidden forces beneath those waves should give you pause before cooling off with an afternoon swim.
A small group of people focus on individual tasks while working outside on a trail overlook a body of water
Article
Learn more about the process of new trail construction, and become inspired to join us out on the trail.
A large group of volunteers poses outside on a sunny day
Article
What can we learn when we’re given the opportunity to observe ancient practices and traditions? Read about one intern’s experience volunteering alongside the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, and the many things he was able to take away from the exciting opportunity.
A volunteer smiles while seated in front of a blooming hedge
Article
This season, we’d like to take the time to thank and highlight some of our regular volunteers who have enriched our parks and our lives. For this spring, we’d like you to meet Paul Barrows, who has been volunteering regularly at Lands End for the last year and a half!
Three people stand on a hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge
Article
Caring doesn’t happen everywhere; some jobs are a means to an end, or summer flings. They must have meaningfulness to create a sense of care in the worker.