in the neighborhood of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
At Golden Gate National Recreation Area you find a heap of outdoors recreation, so you can enjoy yourself while you're here. The panorama of Russian Hill from Golden Gate National Recreation Area is wonderful, and
close by you stumble on North Point. One of the best things about Golden Gate National Recreation Area is its proximity to Quarry Beach, and a fine place to have a look at is Alcatraz Shoal.
So much enjoyable stuff to do at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, so little time.
There's always East Harbor to have a look at near Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and after a long day outdoors Buena Vista Motor Inn is a good place to spend a night or two. You're perhaps interested in lakes, Twin Peaks Reservoir is one of those nearby, and a fine location
to camp here at Golden Gate National Recreation Area is Kirby Cove Campground. This place rules, just look at all the enjoyable stuff to do in the neighborhood of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a place with many visitors from San Francisco,
and you can spot Ignatius Heights from Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a perfect wilderness area that is popular with folks from all over. Golden Gate National Recreation Area has scenic nature scenery for you to like. You should
explore Gashouse Cove when you're here at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Arch Rock is certainly a great spot to stop at.
Any time is a fine time at Golden Gate National Recreation Area if you like the outdoors. If you need a place to stay Ramada Limited is a tremendous
choice, and stopping by Presidio National Park is just something you need to do if you haven't yet. It's a popular place to get away to for folks from San Francisco. A glorious beach near Golden Gate National Recreation Area is Sand Springs Beach, and Yacht Harbor is a location
that is next to Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is the largest urban national park in the world. The total park area is 75,398 acres of land and water. Approximately 28 miles of coastline lie within its boundaries.
It is nearly two and one-half times the size of San Francisco. Comprised of many locations, Golden Gate NRA has more information on specific sites like Alcatraz, Marin Headlands, Fort Funston, Fort Mason, as well as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic
Site, and the Presidio of San Francisco. Each with its own unique natural, cultural, and military histories, GGNRA is one of the most visited locations. We are pleased to have you visit the GGNRA website. For in-depth details on specific locations within our park, please go
directly to the 'In Depth' link, which has complete information on visiting the GGNRA, as well as virtual tours (Alcatraz) and photographs. We hope you enjoy your visit, either online, or eventually in person. CONTACTS
Email - George_Su@nps.gov Fax- 415-561-4750 Write to
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Fort Mason, Building 201
San Francisco, CA 94123-0022 Phone
Visitor Information - (415) 556-0560
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating
Hours, Seasons
Access to the recreation area is possible daily and year-round. Hours for individual facilities vary, but the most common hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All visitor centers are open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Getting There
PLANE - San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose International Airports service the San Francisco Bay Area. CAR - Golden Gate NRA can be reached by Highways 1 , 101, 880 and 280. From the north, south or east parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION - There are various buses that run through the park. Depending on which area you are interested in, it is best to refer to the transit information site. Weather & Climate
The climate is Mediterranean, so it tends to be windy and cold throughout
much of the park. During the summer months, fog is common along the coastlines. Dress in layers is recommended. Hiking boots are appropriate in some areas. Comfortable shoes are also recommended within the San Francisco area, which are most comprised of asphalt or concrete. Accessibility
Fort
Mason Center: Advance arrangements can be made for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users, (415) 441-5706. Fort Point NHS and the Fort Point bookstore: The theatre, first floor of the fort and rest rooms are accessible. Muir Woods NM: The paved trails are handicapped
accessible. Alcatraz: The rest rooms, located at the dock and at the top of the hill are accessible, as is the main level of the cellhouse. The island has a ferry (Blue & Gold Fleet) that is also accessible. The SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) vehicle is available
on Alcatraz for accessible transport to the cellhouse. Presidio: The visitor center, located on the main post, as well as the Golden Gate Promenade are accessible as is most of the paved areas of the Presidio. Crissy Field: There are portions of this area that are accessible. Fort
Funston: There are wheelchair accessible, loop trails at this location. Cliff House: There is limited accessibility to the ruins. Getting Around
Much of the GGNRA is within walking distance from San Francisco, with other areas up to an hour's drive away. The recreation
area follows San Francisco's northern and western shoreline, extending down the peninsula. Across Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, follow any of the various access roads off of Highway 101, including Alexander Avenue, Shoreline Highway and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, to the
recreation area. The Municipal Railway (MUNI) bus system serves Rodeo Beach in Marin on Sundays. Visitor information is available at Fort Mason, The Cliff House, Fort Point, Rodeo Beach and Muir Woods, Fort Funston and the Presidio. GGNRA lands in San Mateo County are accessible
via Skyline Blvd. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee
GETTING TO ALCATRAZ ISLAND
Ferry prices vary with tour package. For more information refer to their website or call the ticket line at (415) 705-5555.
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
$2.00
for One Time
There is a $2.00 entrance fee to get into Muir Woods.
OTHER AREAS OF THE GGNRA
Free!
There is no admission fee for GGNRA, just Muir Woods NM and the cost for the ferry to Alcatraz Island.
Special Use Permits
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Permits
for filming TV, Movies, commercial, weddings, campgrounds, picnics, special events, festival, concerts, athletic events, and such must go through our office of Special Park Uses.
CAMPING
Bicentennial Campground
Open All Year
Bicentennial
Campground is the most accessible campground in the Park, approximately 100 yards from the parking area near Battery Wallace. There are three sites, each of which can accommodate up to two people with one tent. Water is available at the Visitor Center approximately one mile away.
Campers may use BBQ grills in the nearby Battery Wallace picnic area. Maximum stay is three nights per year No fires allowed in the campground. No pets allowed. No fees.
For More Information on this campground please call (415) 331-1540
Hawkcamp Campground
Open
All Year
The most remote of the GGNRA's campgrounds, Hawkcamp is located high above Gerbode Valley. There are three sites, each of which can accommodate up to four people. Choose between a strenuous 4-mile hike up the Bobcat trail from the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, or
a 3.5-mile hike from the Tennessee Valley parking lot. Groups may reserve the entire campground from November 1 to March 31. The rest of the year, a maximum of three sites may be reserved per group. Maximum stay is three nights per year. Facilities: chemical toilets and picnic
tables. There is no water available for drinking or cleaning. No wood or charcoal fires allowed however gas camp stoves may be used. No pets allowed. No fees.
For More Information on this campground please call (415) 331-1540
Haypress Campground
Open
All Year
Located in the Tennessee Valley in the North end of the Marin Headlands (a gentle three-quarters of a mile walk from the parking lot in Tennessee Valley), Haypress has five sites. Each site can accommodate up to four people. Groups may reserve the entire campground
from November 1 to March 31. The rest of the year, a maximum of three sites may be reserved per group. Maximum stay is three nights per year. No water is available. No wood or charcoal fires allowed. No pets. No fees.
For More Information on this campground please call
(415) 331-1540
Kirby Cove
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open From 04/01/2002 To 10/31/2002
Kirby Cove is nestled in a grove of cypress and eucalyptus trees, west of the Golden Gate Bridge, in the Marin Headlands. Four sites are available, each
with a maximum capacity of ten people. Parking is restricted to three cars per site. Pit toilets, BBQ-pits, picnic tables and fire rings are available, but there is no water for drinking and hygiene. Limit of three nights per season, per person.
FACILITIES
Visitor
Centers
ALCATRAZ ISLAND VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Phone - (415) 705-1042
Location - Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. A ferry, located at Pier 41 will take you to the island. Just remember to make your reservation
in advance since this popular attraction tends to fill up fast.
Closures - Christmas and New Year's Day. There are various locations on the island that are closed off to the general public certain times of the year, due to the nesting of a variety of sea birds. Please
be sure to ask a ranger for more information at the closed areas.
Special Programs - There are various ranger-led programs on a daily basis on Alcatraz. Be sure to check out the ranger programs at the dock as soon as you get off the boat for any of the popular programs
on the island. There is also an audio tour that you can get either at the pier or on the island. For more information on ticket reservation call (415) 705-5555.
Exhibits - Check out expanded page for more information.
Available Facilities - There are limited
bathroom facilities on the island. They are located at the dock and at the top of the island. Aside from the limited bathroom facilities, due to the lack of water, there is place where food can be purchase on the island. Picnic areas are designated only at the dock area, to assist
in localizing the trash produced and to keep the island clean.
CLIFF HOUSE VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone - (415) 556-8642
Location - Located below the street level where Point Lobos Avenue meets the Great Highway, on the western
side of San Francisco
Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Special Programs - Check out the ParkNEWS Online for details, located under 'Activities'.
Exhibits - Gulf of the Farallones exhibit
FORT POINT BOOKSTORE
Open All
Year Thursday to Monday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone - (415) 556-1693
Location - The Fort Point Bookstore is located inside the fort, underneath the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge, on the northernmost part of the Presidio.
Closures - Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Currently, Fort Point is undergoing restoration of the south 'gorge' wall. There are a few areas that will be closed off to visitation. For your own safety, please stay clear of these areas. If you have questions regarding
the restoration, please ask one of the rangers.
Special Programs - There is a cannon loading demonstration, where visitors get a 'hands-on' opportunity to learn about the firing of Civil War artillery. There is also a tour of the fort led by one of the staff on a daily
basis. If that's not something you're interested in perhaps you may want to try the audio tour of the fort. You can rent these headsets from the Fort Point Bookstore and wander through the fort at your own pace. For more information on the bookstore or the audio tour, please feel
free to call (415) 673-5642.
Exhibits - There are various exhibits within the fort itself, where the Fort Point Bookstore is also located. On the first floor there is an exhibit about the construction and Civil War solider responsibilities. On the second floor there are
two photo exhibits. One depiciting the roles of women in the military, 'Women at War'. The other is about the lives of African-American soldiers and their struggle for acceptance. On the third floor there is an exhibit about the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Available
Facilities - At this time there are only portable toilets located outside the fort. To find them walk south from the fort (away from the fort), approximately 140 yards. You'll find them just to the right after the lawn.
MARIN HEADLANDS VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone - (415) 331-1540
Location - The Marin Headlwands Visitor Cetner is located in the historic Fort Barry Chapel, at the intersection of Field and Bunker Roads. The Visitor Center is approximately 3 miles from either entrance to the Marin
Headlands.
Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Special Programs - Rangers answer questions and lead scheduled interpretive walks and programs. For more information on park programs please check out our quarterly ParkNEWS Online under 'Activities'.
Exhibits
- The Center's exhibits introduce the Headland's natural history and trace the area's human history from the days of the Miwoks through modern times. You can see how a hawk flies and look through a microscope at the hidden life of local ponds. A Miwok shelter invites you inside
to listen as present-day Coast Miwok people talk about their lives. A shop carries a good selection of books and field guides about the area.
Available Facilities - Bathroom facilities are available inside the building.
MUIR WOODS VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
8:00 AM to sunset
Phone - (415) 388-7368
Location - Muir Woods Visitor Center is located at the entrance to Muir Woods, approximately 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The visitor center is located at the main entrance.
Closures - Last Sunday
of January, the park closes at 6:00 PM; the 2nd Sunday of March, the park closes at 7:00 PM; the 1st Sunday of April, the park closes at 8:00 PM; the 2nd Sunday of September, the park closes at 7:00 PM; Last Sunday of October, the park closes at 6:00 PM; the 1st Sunday of November,
the park closes at 5:00 PM.
Special Programs - For more information on park programs please check out our quarterly ParkNEWS Online under 'Activities'.
PACIFIC WEST REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER
Open All Year Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone
- (415) 556-0560
Location - The Pacific West Region Information Center is located on the first floor of building #201 at Fort Mason. Fort Mason, the headquarters for the GGNRA, is located at the cross streets of Bay and Franklin, in San Francisco.
Closures - The
information center is closed on the weekends.
Exhibits - Information about all of the National Parks located in the Pacific West Region can be found in this office. Pamphlets and other visitor information can be found in the room across from the information center. Volunteers
are also available to answer questions.
Available Facilities - There are restrooms available inside building 201 at Fort Mason.
WILLIAM PENN MOTT JR. VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone - (415) 561-4323
Location - Located
on the main post at 102 Montgometry & Lincoln Blvd. on the Presidio of San Francisco.
Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Special Programs - Currently there is a video about William Penn Mott Jr. the namesake of the visitor center, and
one of the pioneers of modern park ideas. For more information on park programs please check out our quarterly ParkNEWS Online under 'Activities'.
Exhibits - Currently under construction. There are also rotating exhibits as well.
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