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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

A Star Wars Fan’s Guide to Exploring Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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.
A small blue disc-shaped creature, Velella velella, on a beach
Parks

How to see mysterious blue 'Velella velella' sea creatures along the GGNRA coast

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 guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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

Date Ideas in the Parks

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

Where to find river otters in the Marin Headlands

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 guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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

Presidio of San Francisco and Fort Baker: How to Visit Star Trek’s Starfleet Headquarters and Starfleet Academy

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

Accessibility in the Parks: Beach Wheelchairs Video

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 guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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

Expert picks: Best Bay Area stargazing spots

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.
Person in red jacket with a blue backpack talking down the pathway at Point Bonita Lighthouse.
Parks

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.
Rodeo Valley Trail
Parks

Leave No Trace Seven Principles

Learn more about the "Leave No Trace Seven Principles" to help minimize our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems.