Visitor Tips

Explore our expertly curated visitor tips and how-to guides to make the most of your trip to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Whether you're hiking, sightseeing, or enjoying the coastline, our helpful resources ensure an unforgettable experience.

Statue of Yoda at LucasArts in the Presidio.
Parks
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.
Rainbow above the Golden Gate Bridge.
Parks
Discover the natural beauty, history, and hidden gems of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area all year long with our Seasonal Guides.
An aerial view of Fort Funston shows the ocean, beach, cliffsides, and looks on to the golden gate.
Parks
Don’t let the cool breeze fool you—summer in the parks is the perfect time to refresh your body, mind, and soul. Explore what's happening this summer and make the most of the season—fog or shine!
A small blue disc-shaped creature, Velella velella, on a beach
Parks
Explore the stunning Bay Area beaches of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the spring and you may spot the fascinating Velella velella , also known as "by-the-wind sailors."
Poppies at Black Point Historic Gardens at Fort Mason in San Francisco.
Parks
Spring is one superlative season that’ll be sure to delight all the senses.
Seal Rocks seen in the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco's Lands End.
Stories
The vast landscapes of the Golden Gate national parks in the San Francisco Bay Area offer countless breathtaking spots to impress a date, capture unforgettable photos, or even plan the perfect proposal.
A river otter pops up from the water as its swimming in Rodeo Lagoon
Stories
The elusive North American river otter is an adorable and fierce native otter species that resides in the coastal wetlands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Steep Ravine Trail after winter rains.
Parks
Winter is a magical time to explore this stunning region, with its crisp air, fewer crowds, and breathtaking landscapes.
View of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio of San Francisco from Fort Baker.
Parks
Both the Presidio of San Francisco and Fort Baker, two national parks bookending the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area, often serve as the scenic inspiration for the legendary Starfleet headquarters and Starfleet Academy.
A Parks Conservancy staff member and a National Park Service staff member stand waving and smiling on East Beach next to a beach wheelchair.
Parks

Learn about the beach wheelchair program and beach wheelchair accessible shores...

Beach wheelchairs are available on-site at Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Rodeo Beach, and Baker Beach.
Sunrise Ceremony by the Indians of All Tribes on Alcatraz Island
Parks
Fall is a favorite season in the national parks of the Bay Area: Sunny days, raptors overhead, and maybe even a yellow leaf or two.
A night view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Kirby Cove. The lights from the bridge glow on the water and there are stars twinkling overhead.
Parks
When the sun sets, the skies above our parks illuminate with an ever-changing tapestry of planets, stars, constellations, and galaxies – many visible to the naked eye. If you know where to look, the GGNRA offers stargazers an endless well of magic to observe year-round.