Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
4.5
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Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the nation's largest national park in an urban area, encompasses nearly 81,000 acres. Spanning Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, Golden Gate National Recreation Area also includes areas such as Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Presidio of San Francisco, and the Marin Headlands.
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4.5
680 reviews
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Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,652 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco is truly a gem of a destination for outdoor scenic views and adventures. This marvelous area is meticulously managed by the National Park Service and should be a must-see destination for anyone visiting San Francisco. There are several spots for absorbing awesome scenic views created naturally by land and water, as well as breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's the perfect spot for nature lovers and active outdoorsy people. There are several hiking trails and an abundance of landmarks to see. The beauty of this park is its versatility such as the new Tunnel Tops park, the historic Fort Point, and of course the Golden Gate Bridge. There is so much to see; one can spend several days here or visit often. Truly an astounding place.
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelface52786
Miami197 contributions
If you want to take amazing pictures of the bridge and experience spectacular views of the bay, San Francisco and Sausalito, then go to the National Recreation Area. In the afternoons, when the fog is gone, is the best time to go...Driving through the winding streets on the mountains is a great experience and a lot of fun...Plus, it's free and it's right off the bridge. So after crossing the Golden Gate, make a left, and take some pictures...It's an awesome spot.
Written 5 July 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suryavarman
Livingston, NJ466 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
A must do when in the San Francisco area. Extremely wonderful views from every corner of the recreational area. There is so much to see and do here that you almost need half a day.
Written 4 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
norcalhummingbirds
Eureka, CA570 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
From the north-west side of the Golden Gate bridge, drive up (straight up) Conzelman Rd. This is not a drive for the faint at heart! While climbing, there are places to pull over and be treated to the most amazing views of the Bridge and City that you will ever see anywhere else! Keep driving up until you get to Hawk Hill. This is the site of World War II underground bunkers, Battery 129. Park and go hike around the historic relics and tunnels. There's a huge concrete pit that used to have anti air guns on guard. But...the view, all the way out to the Pacific and to downtown SF, with the bridge in the middle. It's so high up your stomach will jump! If you continue driving west, the road becomes a one way loop. You won't be able to go down the way you came up. But if you turn around and head back down from Hawk Hill, make a left at the circle and go through the one way tunnel to the 101 or Sausalito. Bring a sweater, it's always windy up there! But worth it.
Written 13 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish Wild
Tampa, FL303 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
First, I'd like to clear up some confusion: Golden Gate Park is NOT the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You'll find a lot of write-ups under "Golden Gate National Recreation Area" that are actually about Golden Gate Park.
Golden Gate Park is a large urban recreation area in San Francisco. The governing body is the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Dept. This is where you'll find the museums and gardens.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is maintained by the National Park Service. It contains famous tourist attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument, Alcatraz, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
I have visited Alcatraz, Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands. All of these are "not to be missed" attractions in the Bay Area.
The best view of the Golden Gate Bridge is, in my opinion, from Hawk Hill -- another part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Hawk Hill is not well-marked and it is not easy to get to. Get directions online ahead of time. The road is up "high" and very windy. Be on the lookout for bikers, pedestrians and other vehicles.
Once you park your vehicle, walk through the "bunker" entrance (Hawk Hill still contains remnants of WWII bunkers) and follow the path to Hawk Hill -- the very top vantage point where you can take absolutely fabulous photos of the bridge. There is usually a park ranger in the parking lot to answer questions...or just ask another hiker for directions. It will be very windy and probably cold...so dress appropriately and wear good, solid shoes for hiking!
Golden Gate Park is a large urban recreation area in San Francisco. The governing body is the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Dept. This is where you'll find the museums and gardens.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is maintained by the National Park Service. It contains famous tourist attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument, Alcatraz, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
I have visited Alcatraz, Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands. All of these are "not to be missed" attractions in the Bay Area.
The best view of the Golden Gate Bridge is, in my opinion, from Hawk Hill -- another part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Hawk Hill is not well-marked and it is not easy to get to. Get directions online ahead of time. The road is up "high" and very windy. Be on the lookout for bikers, pedestrians and other vehicles.
Once you park your vehicle, walk through the "bunker" entrance (Hawk Hill still contains remnants of WWII bunkers) and follow the path to Hawk Hill -- the very top vantage point where you can take absolutely fabulous photos of the bridge. There is usually a park ranger in the parking lot to answer questions...or just ask another hiker for directions. It will be very windy and probably cold...so dress appropriately and wear good, solid shoes for hiking!
Written 6 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZeiM
62 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
I parked at the Lands End Visitors Center, located in the Merrie Way park just east of the Cliff House at the cross streets of Point Lobos, El Camino del Mar in San Francisco, California.
Plenty of free parking (both in the lot of the VC and just across the street). There is also a lot of free parking along the beach side of the street, although I believe there are time restrictions. Amazing views, I walked over to The Cliff House to see from a different view, then back up to the Visitors Center and along the trail. Definitely a good walk, depending on where you want to go and how far you go there can be a lot of steps, but well worth the views. I did not walk down to the Sutra Baths ruins, but they are located directly down from the VC. I followed the Coastal Path, and walked to the Lands End Overlook for great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Continued along to Eagles Point Overlook then turned back and stopped at the USS San Francisco Memorial on the way back.
A really nice walk, great views, and the VC even has very nice and clean restrooms located just on the outside of the building. Lovely morning exploring. :)
Plenty of free parking (both in the lot of the VC and just across the street). There is also a lot of free parking along the beach side of the street, although I believe there are time restrictions. Amazing views, I walked over to The Cliff House to see from a different view, then back up to the Visitors Center and along the trail. Definitely a good walk, depending on where you want to go and how far you go there can be a lot of steps, but well worth the views. I did not walk down to the Sutra Baths ruins, but they are located directly down from the VC. I followed the Coastal Path, and walked to the Lands End Overlook for great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Continued along to Eagles Point Overlook then turned back and stopped at the USS San Francisco Memorial on the way back.
A really nice walk, great views, and the VC even has very nice and clean restrooms located just on the outside of the building. Lovely morning exploring. :)
Written 3 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vegan World traveller
Tampa, FL294 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Fantastic place to walk bike and relax with family. Offers Hundreds of acres of pristine greenery. Moderate climb if you are biking.
Botanical garden and Japanese tea Gardens, A Theatre are all part of this park. Weekends you have food trucks coming in.
You can enjoy the whole day here. Parking is not bad - come early.
Botanical garden and Japanese tea Gardens, A Theatre are all part of this park. Weekends you have food trucks coming in.
You can enjoy the whole day here. Parking is not bad - come early.
Written 7 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
Hilo, HI87 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco are the Marin Headlands. Turn off Why 101 as soon as you get off the bridge and take Alexander Ave to Colzman Rd to go up into the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. There are small pullouts to park at, but they may be full. Attendants will direct you to move on up. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco are dramatic. We chanced upon an available parking space just below Hawk Hill. Walked up to the former Nike Hercules missile site and were rewarded with some pretty awesome views of the bridge, San Francisco, and Alcatraz island. Despite being near midday, we lucked out with a rare view of blue skies with rolling fog inform the ocean only beginning to encompass the bridge. Many hiking, walking, and riding trails crisscross the area.
Written 26 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avedd
London, UK47 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
It was wonderful to see the Golden Gate Bridge but I was disappointed with the lack of place to sit down and have a coffee. There is nowhere to do this, as the coffee shop is a kiosk like place with no seating area. The restrooms need attention, too little of them and not supplied or clean enough for the famous location.
Written 1 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin1968
Liverpool, UK36 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
This place is beautiful place to either have a picnic or just walk around its very steep in parts but the birds & butterflies etc are well worth it just taking time out and watching the world go by. Obviously this depends on the weather but it was lovely when we went in July.
Written 25 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! Just want to ask how I can get there using public transportation? Thanks!
Written 4 May 2016
We have 12-14 people including 4 children. Can you accommodate that number? (my guess is NO) Do you ever do pickup at a downtown hotel (Four Seasons) or can you arrange pickup near Union Square?
What is the best public transportation to Fisherman's wharf (your pickup location) from the Union Square area?
What happens if it is raining?
Written 10 December 2015
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