National Recreation Area · NPS · CA
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Photo: NPS photo/Will Elder, Morning Fog at Crissy Field
Alerts and conditions
Information China Beach Construction & Seacliff Avenue Closures Fall - Winter 2026
Park's China Beach renovation of bathhouse, lower terrace, and picnic areas is in progress. See 'more' for link to Phase 3 of China Beach project below. SFPUC waterline replacement project will cause parking restrictions, lane closures, and access controls along Sea Cliff Avenue. Visitors should expect SFPUC project on Sea Cliff Avenue to impact access to China Beach. See link to SFPUC project below: https://www.sfpuc.gov/construction-contracts/construction-projects/seacliffpumps.
Caution Beach Hazards In Effect November 5-9
Thursday, November 5, 5:00 AM PST to Monday, November 9, 10:00 PM PST Increased risk for sneaker waves and strong rip currents with breaking waves of 12 to 16 ft expected. Waves can sweep across the shoreline without warning, pulling people into the sea from beaches, jetties, and rocks. Stay off jetties, rocks, and remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean. See link below for more beach safety info.
Information Ocean Beach No-Burn Season: November 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027
Beach fires are PROHIBITED during the no-burn season. Do NOT make fire rings using rocks, logs or other items. The no-burn season avoids burning during the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Winter Spare the Air season.
Caution Auto-Theft Warning - Only Bring What You Need to the Park
You can prevent vehicle break-ins in parking lots and scenic overlooks. Before leaving your car for even a short period of time: 1) Remove all valuables, 2) Lock your doors. 3) Take your wallets, purses, backpacks, keys, key fobs, cell phones, and electronics with you. Read article for more details.
Information Upper Fort Mason Roads and Parking Area Closures Fall 2025 - Fall 2026
Roads and parking areas at upper Fort Mason will have closures during utilities and seismic retrofit projects. Closures planned Fall 2025 through Fall 2026. Lots will be fenced and used as staging areas for projects occurring at Fort Mason. Signs will be posted in advance of utilities work as project progresses through each area at Fort Mason. Read signs and do not park in posted areas. Vehicles will be towed at owner's expense.
Weather Small Craft Advisory issued November 8 at 1:38PM PST until November 9 at 3:00PM PST by NWS San Francisco CA
* WHAT...Seas 7 to 12 ft.
* WHERE...Coastal Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point
California out to 10 NM.
* WHEN...Until 3 PM PST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
What to do: Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
Read the full alert · Until Nov 9, 2026, 11:00 PM
Overview
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.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Living History
- Reenactments
- Junior Ranger Program
- Surfing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
Plan your visit
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.
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
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.
Point Bonita Lighthouse (beyond the tunnel): Point Bonita Lighthouse is open every third Saturday from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
Nike Missile Site: The Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands is open on the first Saturday 12pm to 3pm for demonstrations and programs.
Battery Townsley: Battery Townsley is open every second Saturday of the month between 12:00pm to 4:00pm for guided tours.
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.
Getting there
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.
Visitor centers
- William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor Center
- Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
- Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
- Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Center
Campgrounds
- Hawk Campground (3 sites) — reserve
- Haypress Campground (6 sites) — reserve
- Bicentennial Campground (3 sites) — reserve
- Kirby Cove Campground (6 sites) — reserve
- Rob Hill Campground
Weather
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.
Phone: 415-561-4700
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Muir Woods National Monument NPS · 2 miles
- Fort Point National Historic Site NPS · 8 miles
- Presidio of San Francisco NPS · 9 miles
- Alcatraz Island NPS · 10 miles
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park NPS · 10 miles
- Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 11 miles