Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley get a lot of attention in California, but did you know that there’s a national park right here in the Bay Area that gets nearly twice as many visitors as all three combined?
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a sprawling landscape wrapped around San Francisco, composed of 37 park sites that received a combined 15,748,676 visits in 2025, according to the National Park Service.
Its visitorship is second only to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic road that runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains through Virginia and North Carolina.
37 sites across 80,000+ acres
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the largest urban parks in the world, stretching from southern San Mateo County to northern Marin County, including several parts of San Francisco.
Some of its most famous tourist attractions are no doubt Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and the Presidio of San Francisco. But as a whole, the GGNRA stitches together dozens of coastal, forest, and historic sites, ranging from old forts and army posts to everyday beaches and trails.
If you’re just passing through San Francisco, you’ll need more than one day to experience the best of the GGNRA. But you can start with a no-brainer tour of Alcatraz, and then spend the afternoon exploring iconic spots like Crissy Field, Lands End, Baker Beach, Fort Point, and the Presidio. Consider tacking on a trip to Muir Woods if you have time.
Taking care of the GGNRA
The National Park Service manages the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with its nonprofit partner, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Christine Lehnertz’s recent opinion piece for the San Francisco Chronicle asserts that in the wake of staff cuts, eroding infrastructure, and the federal shutdowns, the GGNRA is an example of how long-running partnerships like these can quietly improve habitats, creating heavily used urban park sites that thrive alongside the community.
She urges parkgoers to stand with the parks by volunteering and supporting nonprofit organizations like the Conservancy, so that park sites like these can remain resilient.
How many sites have you visited within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area? Head to the National Park Service website to get started planning your next outing.
