Rate Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Recreation Area
Operating Hours & Seasons
Most parking lots are open between sunrise to sunset.
Although this urban park is accessible 24 hours a day in most areas, most parking lots are open between sunrise to sunset.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Park Districts
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Open 9:30am-4pm daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Monday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Tuesday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Wednesday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Thursday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Friday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Saturday:9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Center
Muir Woods Visitor Center is open daily at 9am, though its closing hours vary throughout the year. Hours are as follows 9am-5pm from the last Sunday in January 9am-7:30pm from the 2nd Sunday in March 9am-6:30pm from the 3rd Sunday in September 9am-4:30pm from the 1st Sunday in November
Standard Hours
- Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
- Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
Park Entrance
Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point is open Friday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:10:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday:10:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Park Districts
Park Headquarters William J. Whalen Building Fort Mason
The information desk in the Whalen Building is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
Park Entrance
Point Bonita Lighthouse
Point Bonita is generally open Saturday, Sunday and Monday 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. year round. It’s best to call the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at 415-331-1540 to confirm before making the trip.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:12:30 PM-3:30 PM
- Monday:12:30 PM-3:30 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday:12:30 PM-3:30 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Visiting Golden Gate is free except for Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods National Monument.
With the exception of the entrance fee for Muir Woods National Monument and the cost of the ferry to visit Alcatraz Island, there is no fee to visit lands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
About
Parks For The People
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.
Directions
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
Presidio Visitor Center
The visitor center is the go to place to find out what is happening and what there is to do in the Presidio. Discovery the Presidio through a large relief map, inspiring video, engaging exhibitions on history and nature, interactive tools, and knowledgeable staff that can help you uncover the incredible array of experiences possible here. Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Special Programs: Rangers answer questions and lead scheduled interpretive walks and programs. Exhibits: Headland’s natural history and human history from the days of the Miwok through modern times. See a hawk fly and look through a microscope at local pond life. A shop carries a selection of books and field guides about the area. Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Park Rangers are available to answer questions. Store has a selection of books, apparel, kids items, collectibles and memorabilia. Exhibits: Model of bridge tower used in testing original bridge design, artifacts like rivets and hardhats, Building the Bridge video. Outdoor exhibits in plaza area. Lands End Lookout
Facilities include visitor information, cafe & gift shop. Exhibits: Indoor exhibits and videos on the natural and cultural history of the Lands End area, Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights. Outdoor 3-D model of Lands End area. Pacific West Regional Information Center
Information about all of the National Parks located in the Pacific West Region can be found in this center. Pamphlets and other visitor information are in a room across from the information center. Volunteers are available to answer questions.
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.
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Nearby Businesses
