Stories

Portrait of birder Daniela Sánchez with binoculars on a birding trip.
How to find birds 'slowly' in national parks

Many people flock to birding because they love birds' beautiful plumage, their intricate songs, or their entertaining antics. For Daniela Sánchez, it was serendipity.

Pillow basalt by Point Bonita Lighthouse
How to find the hidden 'elephant' at Point Bonita Lighthouse

In the rough waters beneath the iconic Point Bonita Lighthouse sits a 180-million-year-old rock that geologists from all over the world travel to marvel at.

A sunset photo of the rainbow pride flag flying in the parks.
Here's where you can hike through history with Pride in the GGNRA

Time travel is a walk in the park in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). For Pride Month and beyond, let’s make our way through some of the queer history in the parks.

Art Projects from De Colores Arts "Presidio Tunnel Tops Park Art Series"
5 Questions with...De Colores Arts

We connected with De Colores Arts to learn more about the 7-week-long "Presidio Tunnel Tops Park Art Series" hosted at the Crissy Field Center Art Lab.

Mugshot of Alcatraz inmate and gardener Albert Smith
Incarcerated Gardeners: Albert Smith

Albert Smith, found guilty of four counts of robbery, was sentenced to serve 10 to 24 years in prison. He was sent to Alcatraz in 1945 after an attempted escape, and began work duties as a gardener the following year.

Historical mugshot of Richard Franseen, Alcatraz Inmate and gardener.
Incarcerated Gardeners: Richard Franseen

Richard Franseen was sentenced to Alcatraz from 1937 to 1946 for counterfeiting. By 1940, he was assigned to yard duties, tending to a greenhouse and a little garden.

Mugshot of Elliot Michener, Alcatraz inmate and gardener.
Incarcerated Gardeners: Elliott Michener

After being sentenced for counterfeiting in 1941, Elliott Michener was involved in an escape plot from Leavenworth Prison and then sent to Alcatraz. He spent years on the island's west side creating cottage-style gardens.

Joyce Guy at work in the field
Building bridges, breaking barriers: How Joyce Guy battled racism, sexism to stand atop the Golden Gate Bridge

The origin story of the Golden Gate Bridge is dominated by tales of the architects and designers who were given the opportunity to dream up the structure. The workers who installed and later maintained the cables and trusses, the bolts and the paint, are not often credited. 

In the book “Building the…

Brandon Nesbitt at Golden Gate Bridge
One photographer, so many perspectives of the Golden Gate Bridge

It’s 4 a.m. and photographer Brandon Nesbitt is scanning through the public webcams oriented toward the Golden Gate Bridge from his computer at home. Slightly groggy but adequately caffeinated, he’s trying to get an early glimpse of the morning fog conditions.

Thick fog may obscure a view of the bridge…

Ranger Mia Monroe in Muir Woods.
Park Ranger Mia Monroe and a life's work in the GGNRA

Park Ranger Mia Monroe is the Marin Community Liaison for the NPS, and one of the longest serving employees in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

© 2025 Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. All rights reserved.