Golden Gate National Recreation Area Custom Search 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. 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.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Golden Gate National Recreation Area.   Campgrounds Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Mountain Camp, San Francisco, 0 miles away The Presidio National Park - Rob Hill Group, San Francisco, 3 miles away Angel Island State Park - Ridge, Belvedere Tiburon, 3 miles away Angel Island State Park - Sunrise, San Francisco, 3 miles away Angel Island State Park - East Bay, Belvedere Tiburon, 4 miles away Kirby Cove Campground, Marin County, 4 miles away Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Kirby Cove, Sausalito, 5 miles away   Marinas Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Pier Marina, San Francisco , 3 miles away Grohmann Marina, San Francisco , 4 miles away Treasure Isle Marina, San Francisco , 4 miles away San Francisco Yacht Club, Belvedere Tiburon , 5 miles away Schoonmaker Point Marina, Sausalito , 6 miles away   Hotels Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Seaside Inn, San Francisco , 0 miles away Marina Inn San Francisco, San Francisco , 0 miles away Buena Vista Motor Inn, San Francisco , 0 miles away Francisco Bay Inn, San Francisco , 0 miles away Motel Capri, San Francisco , 0 miles away Howard Johnson San Francisco Marina District, San Francisco , 0 miles away Hotel Del Sol, San Francisco , 0 miles away   Trails Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Bootjack Trail, Marin County , 11 miles away, 1.1 hiking miles, 950 feet elevation difference Temelpa Trail, Marin County , 12 miles away,  2.8 hiking miles, 1398 feet elevation difference Ben Johnson Trail, Marin County , 12 miles away, 3.8 hiking miles, 1350 feet elevation difference Throckmorton Trail, Marin County , 12 miles away,  2.8 hiking miles, 1398 feet elevation difference West Point Trail, Marin County , 13 miles away, 1 hiking miles, 1740 feet elevation difference North Side Trail, Marin County , 13 miles away,  4.8 hiking miles, 371 feet elevation difference Lagunitas Fire Trail, Marin County , 13 miles away, 2.1 hiking miles, 1462 feet elevation difference   Beaches Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Sand Springs Beach, Marin County , 3 miles away Perles Beach, Marin County , 3 miles away Quarry Beach, Marin County , 3 miles away Baker Beach, San Francisco County , 4 miles away China Beach, San Francisco County , 4 miles away   Whitewater Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Whitewater Outfitter - Pacific River Supply, Contra Costa County , 12 miles away, Whitewater outfitter   Public Lands Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Presidio National Park, San Francisco - CA , 0 miles away San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco - CA , 0 miles away Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail, San Francisco - CA , 10 miles away Angel Island State Park, California , 4 miles away Candlestick Point State Park, California , 6 miles away San Bruno Mountain State Park, California , 6 miles away Thornton State Beach, California , 7 miles away   Golf Courses Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Presidio Golf Course, San Francisco , 2 miles away Presidio Private Golf Club, San Francisco , 2 miles away Lincoln Park Golf Course, San Francisco , 5 miles away Gleneagles International Golf Course, San Francisco , 5 miles away Golden Gate Park Golf Course, San Francisco , 6 miles away   Lakes Near Golden Gate National Recreation Area Laguna Puerca, San Francisco County , 5 miles away Phoenix Lake, Marin County , 13 miles away Lake Lagunitas, Marin County , 14 miles away Alpine Lake, Marin County , 16 miles away