Park Archives: Golden Gate National Recreation Area

For city dwellers, it's not always easy to experience national parks without traveling long distances. A new idea emerged in the early 1970s: Why not bring parks to the people? In 1972 Congress added two urban expanses to the National Park System: Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay area and its eastern counterpart Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey.

At nearly 81,000 acres, Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the nation's largest national park unit in an urban setting. It extends well north and south of San Francisco. Along with other public lands and waters in the region, it is recognized by the United Nations as Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve. Offshore, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries protect ocean habitat and many threatened and endangered species, while allowing for compatible human uses. The national recreation area's role as the Bay Area's backyard continues to evolve in ways its early proponents never imagined. Renewable energy powers public buildings and transportation. People of all abilities use accessible trails and other facilities, engaging in activities that promote health and wellness. Volunteers do everything from conducting tours to helping restore native habitat.

Come here for the natural cathedral of coast redwoods at Muir Woods or to experience for yourself the harsh conditions on Alcatraz Island. But don't overlook the out-of-the-way places to savor the scents of bay laurel and sage, cool morning fog, waves crashing on the headlands, or a tapestry of native spring wildflowers. Golden Gate National Recreation Area invites you to enjoy, explore, and find your own way to experience the parks at the Golden Gate.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes Alcatraz, Fort Point National Historic Site, Muir Woods National Monument, and dozens more natural and historic places. There are visitor information centers at Alcatraz, Fort Point National Historic Site, Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion, Land's End, Marin Headlands, Muir Woods National Monument, Pacifica, and Presidio.

Information and schedules are available on site or at www.nps.gov/goga. For a calendar of events and interactive trip planning map, go to www.parksconservancy.org.

Alcatraz Reservations highly recommended: www.alcatrazcruises.com. Ferries leave from Pier 33. Be advised that America the Beautiful Pass does not cover ferry ride.

Muir Woods National Monument Limited parking! To spend more time among the coast redwoods and less time in your car, visit early in the day. On summer weekends, take the Muir Woods Shuttle: www.marintransit.org/routes/66.

Getting Around MUNI buses (www.sfmta.com) serve most park sites in the city and the Marin Headlands. MUNI lines connect to other systems in the Bay Area (www.bart.gov), Marin County (goldengate.org); East Bay (www.actransit.org); and Peninsula (www.caltrain.com and www.smctd.com).

• Spot whales at Muir Beach Overlook during their winter migration (December-February).

• Scan the sky for migratory birds of prey (raptors) soaring above Marin Headlands on Hawk Hill (in fall).

• Take a cell phone tour of Fort Baker, an Endicott-period army post from the early 1900s.

• Learn about two centuries of Presidio military life on a ranger-guided tour.

• Discover what makes Fort Point noteworthy and collect an NPS Civil War trading card.

• Hike from the ocean to the top of Montara Mountain (2,000 feet) at Rancho Corral de Tierra.

• Find the Bay Discovery Site on Sweeney Ridge where Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà first saw San Francisco Bay in 1769.

• Bicycle along the waterfront from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park across the Golden Gate Bridge to Battery Spencer—and panoramic views of the city.

• Spot wrens, jays, spotted owls, and other wild creatures among the coast redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument.

For a Safe Visit Federal laws protect all natural and cultural features in the park. Please enjoy things in their natural habitat and leave them undisturbed. • Dogs are allowed in most areas of the park; check the park website for area-specific regulations. Clean up waste. • Be prepared and dress in layers. Weather is unpredictable. • For a full list of regulations, including firearms information, check the park website.

Accessibility We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For additional information ask a ranger, check at a visitor center, visit the park website.

Camping The park has four campgrounds, tents only. Bicentennial, Hawk Hill, and Haypress are small with limited services. Kirby Cove accommodates larger groups; reserve ahead at www.recreation.gov. Rob Hill in the Presidio must be reserved through the Presidio Trust at www.presidio.gov.

Volunteers In Parks Golden Gate National Recreation Area has one of the largest and most diverse Volunteers In Parks (VIP) communities in the nation. Visit www.nps.gov/goga/supportyourpark.

Park Partners The park works closely with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and dozens of other park partners to enhance the experiences of visitors and build community support. For a full list of park partners, visit www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/partners.

The contents of brochures, site bulletins and trading cards (denoted with a colored caption) can be viewed by clicking on the cover. Most modern-day brochures, however, are cover only (denoted by a white caption) due to photograph copyrights. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. The dates under each brochure do not reflect the complete range of years that a particular brochure was issued.

Date Unknown, c1970s
1979-1981		cover only 1982 (Chinese edition)		cover only 1985-1989
cover only 1990-1995		cover only 2000		cover only 2006-2012
2014-2019		cover only 20xx (Chinese edition)		cover only 20xx (Spanish edition)
2015 (Chinese edition)

1906 Earthquake: The U.S. Army's Role Date Unknown		cover only The 1915 World's Fair Date Unknown		The 1915 World's Fair Date Unknown
cover only Alcatraz Island Date Unknown		Bajo Tres Banderas 2003		cover only Battery Chamberlin 07/2006
Buffalo Soldiers 07/2005		Buffalo Soldiers 12/2007		cover only Cliff House & Sutro Baths Date Unknown
Cliff House & Sutro Baths 2003 - 2007		cover only Cliff House Project 08/2003		Diversity is the Spice of Life Date Unknown
El Término de la Tierra 2008		Enjoying the Park With Your Dog Date Unknown		cover only Fee Demonstration Program Date Unknown
cover only Fort Baker 01/2003		cover only Fort Baker 2008 (Japanese edition)		Fort Baker 06/2008 - 05/2011
Fort Baker 05/2021		Fort Funston Date Unknown		Global Warming and Golden Gate Date Unknown
Inspiration Point Habitat Restoration Date Unknown		cover only Lands End Date Unknown		cover only Lands End 2008 (Japanese Edition)
cover only Lobos Creek Dunes Boardwalk Guide 2006		Los Pioneros de la Aviación 09/2003 (Spanish Edition)		cover only Managing Eucalyptus 09/2006
Milagra Ridge 09/2005		cover only Mission Blue Butterfly Date Unknown		Mori Point 12/2007
cover only Muir Beach 09/2009		Muir Beach August 2014		cover only Nike Missile Site SF-88 10/13
cover only Ocean Beach: Dangerous Currents & Surf Date Unknown		Patriotism and Prejudice: Japanese Americans and World War II 2007 - 06/2013		cover only Camping at Golden Gate 2007
Pioneers of Flight 07/2004		Pioneers of Flight 2007 - 6/2011		Pioneers of Flight 08/2015
Plight of the Plovers Date Unknown		Protecting the Snowy Plover 10/2006		Stinson Beach Date Unknown
Introducing Sweeney Ridge Date Unknown		Sweeney Ridge 2016		cover only Under Three Flags 07/2003
Under Three Flags 07/2004		Under Three Flags 1997		Under Three Flags 05/2011
Under Three Flags 08/2015		Volunteers in Parks Date Unknown		Volunteers in Parks 2007
cover only Voluntarios en los Parques Date Unknown		cover only Volunteers in Parks 03/15		Wildflowers of Marin 03/2006
Wildflowers of Golden Gate 02/2004 - 07/2004		Point Bonita Lighthouse Date Unknown		Marin Headlands Bird Checklist Date Unknown
Fort Baker Cell Phone Tour Accessible Route Date Unknown		Fort Baker Cell Phone Tour Accessible Route (Large Print) Date Unknown		Fort Baker Cell Phone Tour Walking Route Date Unknown
Fort Baker History Walk October 2010		Fort Baker Parade Ground Walk May 2008		Fort Barry History Tour January 2011
Fort Cronkhite History Walk November 2010		Fort Mason History Walk May 2013		Fort Mason History Walk Date Unknown
Fort Mason Center History Tour Date Unknown		Fort Mason Map Date Unknown		cover only Fort Mason Date Unknown
Lands End Map Date Unknown		Marin Headlands Map Date Unknown		Milagra Point Map August 2015
Mori Point Map August 2015		Phleger Estate Map August 2015		Sweeney Ridge Map August 2015
Rancho Corral de Tierra Map August 2015		Panama-Pacific International Exposition, 1915 June 2015		Camping at Golden Gate 2014	Official Map and Guide to Crissy Field 2001
cover only Seacoast Fortifications of the Golden Gate 1996	William Penn Mott, Jr. Date Unknown	Stinson Beach Date Unknown	Mount Tamalpais State Park 2010
Trading Cards
					(©Jefferson National Parks Association)
(©Jefferson National Parks Association)

Long-term Monitoring of Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout During Freshwater Life Stages in Coastal Marin County