White buildings with red roofs at Crissy Field with blue bay and Golden Gate Bridge and fog behind.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area · California

NPS photo/Will Elder

📍 StateCalifornia

🏛️ TypeNational Recreation Area

🎟️ EntryFree

🏃 Activities26

Official NPS Website →

U.S. National Recreation Area surrounding San Francisco Bay Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a U.S. national recreation area protecting 82,116 acres (33,231 ha) of ecologically and historically significant landscapes surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area. Much of the park is land formerly used by the United States Army. GGNRA is managed by the National Park Service and is the second-most visited unit of the National Park system in the United States, with more than 15.6 million visitors in 2022. It is also one of the largest urban parks in the world, with a size two-and-a-half times that of the consolidated city and county of San Francisco.

Wikipedia WikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history from California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, US military expansion and the growth of San Francisco. All of this and more awaits you, so get out and find your park.

Park Photos

Mori Point view north with yellow an blue flowers, the blue-green Pacific Ocean and Mt. Tamalpais.

View over the Pacific from Bolinas Ridge; Stinson Beach, Bolinas Lagoon and head in mid-ground.

Orange Golden Gate Bridge with waves crashing in foreground and storm clouds behind.

View south with family on road in foreground and Rodeo Beach and cove in front of Point Bonita.

Row of red brick barracks with white-columned porches where infantry soldiers lived.

Operating Hours

Parking Lots

Although this urban park is accessible 24 hours a day in most areas, most parking lots are open between sunrise to sunset.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
All Day	All Day	All Day	All Day	All Day	All Day	All Day

Day Use Areas

These areas are open from 6 a.m. until 1 hour after sunset. Marin County: - Conzelman Rd (west, between traffic circle and Field Rd.) - Kirby Cove (except registered campers with permits) - Muir Beach - Muir Beach Overlook - Stinson Beach San Francisco County - Fort Point (north of the gate and adjacent areas) - China Beach - Fort Mason – Black Point Stairway to Van Ness Ave. - Lands End - Sutro Heights Park

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset	6:00AM - Sunset

Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument is open daily with hours varying throughout the year. Please check the Muir Woods National Monument park website for the most current, up to date information. In accordance with CDC, state, and local public health guidance related to COVID-19, these hours and availability of programs may vary.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM	8:00AM - 6:00PM

Point Bonita Lighthouse (beyond the tunnel)

We are currently open the following days/hours: Monday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm Tuesday: CLOSED Wednesday: CLOSED Thursday: CLOSED Friday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm Saturday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm Sunday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
12:30PM - 3:30PM	Closed	Closed	Closed	12:30PM - 3:30PM	12:30PM - 3:30PM	12:30PM - 3:30PM

Nike Missile Site

The Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 12pm to 3pm for demonstrations and programs, unless otherwise posted.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
Closed	Closed	Closed	12:00PM - 3:00PM	12:00PM - 3:00PM	12:00PM - 3:00PM	Closed

Battery Townsley

Battery Townsley is open every first Sunday of the month between 12:00pm to 4:00pm for guided tours.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	12:00PM - 4:00PM

Fort Point National Historic Site

Fort Point National Historic Site is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm unless otherwise noted on Fort Point's website.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
10:00AM - 5:00PM	Closed	Closed	10:00AM - 5:00PM	10:00AM - 5:00PM	10:00AM - 5:00PM	10:00AM - 5:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Golden Gate National Recreation Area include: Arts and Culture, Biking, Mountain Biking, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, Fishing, Saltwater Fishing.

What is the weather like at Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

Winter is characterized by sporadic rain and cool weather punctuated by brilliant sunshine. In winter the grass greens. Trees and flowers dormant through winter start blooming in late February or early March and last until May or June. By July, summer fog predominates in most coastal areas of the park. Grasses and plants have now turned to the golden brown and muted grays characteristic of California summer and fall. September and October skies are clear and sunshine is abundant everywhere in the park.

How do I get to Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

Golden Gate National Recreation Area has many sites that span over 60 miles of mostly coastal areas north and south of San Francisco. Park areas can be reached by Highways 1, 101 and 280 from the north and south San Francisco Bay Area, and by Highway 80 from the East Bay. To access park headquarters at Fort Mason, please use the entrance at Franklin and Bay Streets in San Francisco.