Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
Photo: NPS photo/Will Elder / NPS
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.
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Driving times from Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Parking Lots
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Day Use Areas
- Mon
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Tue
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Wed
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Thu
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Fri
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Sat
- 6:00AM - Sunset
- Sun
- 6:00AM - Sunset
Muir Woods National Monument
- Mon
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Tue
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Wed
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Thu
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Fri
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Sat
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Sun
- 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Point Bonita Lighthouse (beyond the tunnel)
- Mon
- 12:30PM - 3:30PM
- Tue
- Closed
- Wed
- Closed
- Thu
- Closed
- Fri
- 12:30PM - 3:30PM
- Sat
- 12:30PM - 3:30PM
- Sun
- 12:30PM - 3:30PM
Nike Missile Site
- Mon
- Closed
- Tue
- Closed
- Wed
- Closed
- Thu
- 12:00PM - 3:00PM
- Fri
- 12:00PM - 3:00PM
- Sat
- 12:00PM - 3:00PM
- Sun
- Closed
Battery Townsley
- Mon
- Closed
- Tue
- Closed
- Wed
- Closed
- Thu
- Closed
- Fri
- Closed
- Sat
- Closed
- Sun
- 12:00PM - 4:00PM
Fort Point National Historic Site
- Mon
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tue
- Closed
- Wed
- Closed
- Thu
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
- Fri
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun
- 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Activities
Getting there
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Biking, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Muir Woods National Monument (8 min), Fort Point National Historic Site (20 min), Presidio of San Francisco (22 min), San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (24 min), Alcatraz Island (27 min), Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (31 min).