Park Hours (Today)
All Day
William Penn Mott Jr. Presidio Visitor Center: 10:00AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
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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What to See & Do
Hawk Hill Birdwatching
Birdwatching in the high hills of the Marin Headlands at Hawk Hill Overlook.
Rodeo Lagoon Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Rodeo Lagoon
Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands
Visit and explore a Nike Missile site and learn about the role of the military installations here in the Marin Headlands.
Visit the New Industries Building
Visit the New Industries Building to see exhibits on Prison Labor and the commemorative exhibit, Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspectives 50 Years Later. Red Power on Alcatraz tells the story of their 19 -month Occupation of Alcatraz, a watershed moment in the history of Alcatraz Island, the Native American civil rights move
Hike the Bolinas Ridge Trail
Admire redwood forests and expansive views of the Olema Valley on this dog-friendly, multi-use trail. This up-to-11-mile-long trail begins at either at the Bolinas Ridge Trailhead along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or at the trail's southern end at the Fairfax-Bolinas Road's junction with the West Ridgecrest Rd. Allow about 5 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's northern trailhead. Allow about 30 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's southern trailhead.
Walk the Cross Marin Trail
The up-to-10.6-miles- roundtrip Cross Marin Trail is a relatively flat, easy trail that follows the historic North Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way paralleling Lagunitas Creek. Pets are permitted on the Cross Marin Trail and must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times. Allow about 5 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to the trail's northern trailhead.
Self-Guided Tours
Seven Prisons
This thirty-minute walking tour takes you to the sites of six different prisons on Alcatraz Island and connects their stories with our criminal justice system today, the “seventh prison.” While we explore the different sites, ask yourselves about the purpose of incarcerating people in these prisons. Did these prisons serve their purpose, and do our prisons today?
Mori Point: A Seaside Landscape
Take a short walk to the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and get ready for great whale watching. Along the way, enjoy restored California red-legged frog pond habitat and views of the coast and surrounding hillsides.
Rodeo Lagoon
The Rodeo Lagoon tour takes you on a 1.6 mile loop from the Marin Headlands Visitor Center around Rodeo Lagoon to Rodeo Beach, through Fort Cronkhite and back around to the Visitor Center. Along the way learn about endangered native plant and animal species, beach geology and some Headlands history.
Visitor Centers
William Penn Mott Jr. 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. Discover 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.
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
The plaza is the starting point for all your bridge-related adventures. From here, you can learn about the history of the bridge and its impact on the Bay Area with the help of interactive installations and models, including a cross-section of the bridge's main suspension cable. There is limited paid parking at the plaza, and we highly recommend that you take public transit.
Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
Facilities include visitor information and 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.
Muir Woods National Monument Visitor Center
Please visit gomuirwoods.com for reservations. Starting Saturday, May 28 our new operating hours will be 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Muir Woods Visitor Center is open 8:00 am to 30 minutes before the park closes.
Where to Stay
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is the most popular campground in the Marin Headlands, with spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate. Enjoy a wooded setting, seclusion and protected campsites which were recently restored for all to enjoy. Campsites are available for use only by prior reservation but anyone can walk down the road to enjoy the vistas and picnic on the bluffs or beach. Campground is open March-November. $40.00/per campsite per night.
Hawk Campground
Hawk Campground is the most remote campground and is located above Tennessee Valley and offers sweeping views of the Marin Headlands. The site is a 2.5 mile uphill hike from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot, or a 3.5 mile uphill hike from the Miwok Trailhead. There are 3 sites that can accommodate 4 people each. Maximum stay is three nights per year. Campsites are available March-November. $25.00/per campsite per night
Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 0.7 miles from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, and is an ideal campground for first-time backpackers. Haypress campers often enjoy hiking to Tennessee Beach, where they can admire its dramatic geology and colorful sand. Campground is open March-November. $25.00/per campsite per night
Bicentennial Campground
Bicentennial Campground is the easiest to reach campground in Golden Gate, approximately 100 yards from the parking area near Battery Wallace. The campground is a great location for those wanting to camp near the city. There is a moderate short hill to climb to/from the campground from the parking area. It is downhill to the site and uphill back to the parking area. Open Year Round. $25.00/per campsite per night
Rob Hill Campground
Open for public tent camping from April 1 to October 31, Rob Hill offers 4 (2 are accessible) group campsites that each can welcome up to 30 people. Sites must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. In addition to providing easy access to Presidio trails and views, each campsite comes with amenities like picnic tables and grills, as well as access to indoor restrooms.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Operating 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.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
Mori Point view north with yellow an blue flowers, the blue-green Pacific Ocean and Mt. Tamalpais.
View over the Pacific from Bolinas Ridge; Stinson Beach, Bolinas Lagoon and head in mid-ground.
Orange Golden Gate Bridge with waves crashing in foreground and storm clouds behind.
View south with family on road in foreground and Rodeo Beach and cove in front of Point Bonita.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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