Location
Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco
California -United States stretches from the north side of San Mateo County to the south side of Marin County, plus a few other areas around San Francisco.
Getting There
If you will be flying in to the United States, the international airports located in San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland all serve travelers going to the San Francisco Bay Area.
From here, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the national recreation area.
On the other hand, if you will be driving your own car service, you can reach the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco
California -United States via Hwy. 1, 101 as well as 280 if you will be coming in from the northern or southern side of the SF Bay Area.
If you will be coming in from the East Bay, you can take Hwy. 880.
What to See and Do
With over 74,000 acres of coverage, you will not run out of things to do while visiting the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco
California -United States.
For starters, the most notable tourist spots here are the Alcatraz, the Presidio of San Francisco and the Muir Woods National Monument.
The Muir Woods National Museum is located in Marin County and serves to provide protection for over five hundred acres of forests. More than half of this coverage area protects old-growth Coast Redwood.
The Alcatraz on the other hand, is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Also known as “The Rock,” this tiny island once served as a fortification and military prison up until the year 1963.
You can also take-up camp in one of the campgrounds located within the recreational park. You can go on hikes on the many trails around the area, have a picnic, grill your own barbecues and enjoy the many beaches also covered by the park.
Brief History
It was in the year 1972 when the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco California -United States was established under a law signed by then US President, Richard Nixon.
The law budgeted more than one hundred billion US dollars to develop the recreation area. One of the first landmarks to be bought and included in the development program was the Alcatraz and Fort Mason.
Purchase of the Marin Headlands followed. Spanning thirty years of development and acquisitions,
In the year 1998, UNESCO enlisted the recreation area as the Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve.
Cost
To visit Alcatraz, tickets are at US$ 26 per adult for a day tour and US$ 33 per adult for a night tour. For visitors aged 12 year up to 17 years old, tickets are US$ 26 per person for a day tour and US 32 per person for a night tour.
Children 5 year up to 11 years of age, tickets are US$ 16 for a day tour and US$ 19.50 for a night tour. For senior citizens, tickets are US$ 24.50 for day tours and US$ 30.50 for night tours.
Entry to the Kirby Cove campground costs US$ 25 per night; while picnic area fee is US$ 35 per day. For Muir Woods, tickets are US$ 5 per person.
Other Information
Most other areas covered by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco California -United States do not charge entry fees.
It is recommended that you check with the administration office for updated fees before you visit.
