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Parks

Peregrine Falcon with chicks
Expert Peregrine Falcon viewing tips from Alcatraz Biologist Lidia D’amico

For the first time, you can see the fledgling family of Peregrine Falcons growing up on Alcatraz! See expert tips how to spot these birds of prey while visiting the island.

 A peregrine falcon with its chicks in a rocky nest on Alcatraz Island in spring 2024.
Watch the Peregrine Falcon nest webcam on Alcatraz Island

Tune into the livestream from Alcatraz to see the fledgling Peregrine Falcon family grow before your very eyes.  

Person in red jacket with a blue backpack talking down the pathway at Point Bonita Lighthouse.
How to plan and prepare for day hiking in the GGNRA

Getting out into nature should be fun, accessible, and affordable. That’s why we’re here to help with a guide on how to plan and prepare for the most popular activity in the parks: day hiking.  

Flowers at the Alcatraz Gardens
Survivor plants on Alcatraz Island

Among the surviving ornmental plants are daffodils, fuchsias, agapanthus, pelargoniums, various succulents, fig trees, apple trees, walnut trees, artichokes, scented bearded iris and roses.

Graphical illustration of a mountain lion from Favianna Rodriguez
Free colorful wildlife Zoom backgrounds from artist Favianna Rodriguez

Download these colorful backgrounds for your video chats through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.

California poppies seen in the Golden Gate national parks.
Best Bay Area wildflower trails without the crowds

Make sure you preserve the bloom in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area! Check out some of our top picks for trails that have wildflowers without the crowds.

Seal Rocks seen in the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco's Lands End.
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.

Stairs down to Black Sands Beach
Black Sands Beach
Beach

You’ll feel like a pirate as you descend the steps to the black sand on this hidden beach in the Marin Headlands.

Some spots in the Golden Gate National Parks, like this overlook in Tennessee Valley, are wonderful for reflection.
Tennessee Beach
Beach

The 1.8-mile, well-groomed trail to Tennessee Beach begins at the trailhead parking lot, about a mile down Tennessee Valley Road.

The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from China Beach.
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.