We want you to have a howlingly good time in the Golden Gate National Parks, but we also want to protect the wildlife that howl (and those that don’t).

Discover top recommendations and insider favorites from Parks Conservancy and National Park Service to help you experience the Golden Gate National Recreation Area like a pro.

If you're a Star Wars fan visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) offers more than just breathtaking views — it’s a destination where nature and the galaxy far, far away meet.

Application for Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL), 2025

Win a FREE trip to Alcatraz with the Parks Conservancy!

See the Golden Gate National Parks as you’ve never seen them before.

Now more than ever, we must stand together to keep our parks thriving. Let’s protect them for future generations.

Sometimes it can be tricky navigating from point A to point B, so we’ve outlined our favorite routes that offer ease of access and stunning park adventures.

The towering redwoods of Muir Woods are waiting for you! On eight days in 2026, all national parks and national monuments that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens, including Muir Woods in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

What kind of bird are you? Find out with our scientifically dubious but finely feathered personality quiz, based on distinct avian phenotypes!