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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Alcatraz Island
Park E-Ventures Article
Golden Gate, meet silver screen. With the Oscars coming up (Feb. 24), we’re handing out (figurative) statuettes to the most memorable movie scenes filmed in the Golden Gate National Parks. Read on and let the debate begin.
Cloud hovers over the Golden Gate Bridge
Park E-Ventures Article
The Marin Headlands are a dramatic landscape, with striated red seafloor cliffs rising from the frothy currents of the Golden Gate. With such a storybook backdrop, hasn’t someone set a poem or manuscript here? You bet.
Downy Woodpecker
Park E-Ventures Article
We often think about members of a species gathered together, such as “a gaggle of geese,” or a “pack of wolves.” But there are also examples of different species coming together, often to hunt or avoid being hunted. Read on to learn about one animal alliance.
Strawberry plant
Park E-Ventures Article
Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there will be many sweet treats popping up on grocery store shelves and on restaurant menus to entice you and your Valentine. Many will contain one of nature’s sweetest offerings: strawberries.
Point Bonita
Park E-Ventures Article
In the Golden Gate National Parks you can do it all—bike, windsurf, hike, ride a horse, bird watch, and even get married! Looking for the perfect place to hold an outdoor ceremony? Look to your parks—there’s a spot to match any personality!
Crissy Field Center
Park E-Ventures Article
A month into 2013, some might already be slipping on their New Year’s resolutions. Hopefully, the staff at Crissy Field Center can stay strong on the resolutions they have made. Read on to discover their goals—personal and professional—for the coming year.
Crissy Field views
Park E-Ventures Article
How can we help make the world a healthier, happier place? The Institute at the Golden Gate believes the answer is: “One piece at a time.” Institute Director Chris Spence shares how his team is pulling the pieces together—and building on strengths—to make a difference.
red-legged frog
Park E-Ventures Article
If you are a longtime resident of the Bay Area or another temperate location, you have probably heard somebody complain about the “lack of seasons.” And while you might not be able to make a snowman here, winter can still be experienced in our parks. What are the signs of...
Trail work sign
Park E-Ventures Article
Working only in wintertime, National Park Service crews and Trails Forever staff have been designing and building new sections of the Hillside Trail in Muir Woods since 2006. This year, 2013, it will be completed. Go behind the scenes as they “fly” one-ton of drain rock for the trail.
Red-tailed Hawk
Park E-Ventures Article
A year ago, Monterey pines and Monterey cypresses were removed from Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands to restore endangered mission blue butterfly habitat. How did this affect the birds during fall migration?
Muir Woods volunteer
Park E-Ventures Article
Muir Woods Earth Day is the longest-running event in the Golden Gate National Parks. It’s also one of the most enjoyable volunteer opportunities of the year. And it’s on January 26, 2013. Find out why we celebrate “Earth Day”—in the middle of winter.
Volunteers at Coast Cleanup Day
Park E-Ventures Article
As 2012 draws to a close, we want to give an enormous and heartfelt THANK YOU to all park volunteers! We are incredibly grateful that you choose to give the gift of your time and energy to these parklands. Read on to see your amazing year of accomplishments.