Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Take a tour exploring Fort Baker’s long history, its natural features and its modern role.

This one mile walking tour reflects upon the role this 19th Century Army Post played in San Francisco history as well as the formation of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We recommend visiting the sites in order, but you're welcome to visit them in any order you like. There are also interpretative waysides that provide you with additional information. Please be advised that most of the Fort Mason buildings and residences are currently occupied; visits to their interiors are not allowed.

Learn about Fort Point's service to the nation. Its powerful guns, massive walls, and determined soldiers stood vigilant and served as a deterrent to any would be aggressor.

"Have you ever wondered about the wooden sculptures throughout the Presidio? Andy Goldsworthy is a site-specific artist who created these sculptures using materials found in the Presidio. The idea is to invite viewers to experience the familiar in a new way. These sculptures are designed to change and ultimately “return to the earth.” Goldsworthy says the pieces are meant to serve not just as objects, but as layers, adding on to the long history of the site.

All four sculptures on this tour can be experienced on a self-guided 2.7 hike (check Tree Fall and Earth Wall hours beforehand) in addition to a free monthly guided hike--registration on Eventbrite. This tour has no particular order, though we suggest Earth Wall, Spire, Wood Line, then Tree Fall. For questions, call (415) 561-2767. The Goldsworthy in the Presidio sculpture collection was made possible through partnership with the FOR-SITE foundation and Presidio Trust.

Over the centuries, San Franciscans and visitors from all over have traveled to this panoramic display of peninsular delight. This tour will take you on a 1.5 mile loop from the Visitor Center, through Sutro Heights down to Ocean Beach, around the Cliff House to the ruins of Sutro Baths and back up to the USS SF Memorial and Visitor Center parking lot. Along the way, you'll learn about the people and places that have contributed to the character of Lands End as a place of fun and recreation, even today.

Step back in time and learn the Point Bonita story on this audio tour. Point Bonita is an area where powerful environmental forces have profoundly affected human history.

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.

Discover some hidden history! Explore the bronze cannon that now decorate this park. Learn about the creation of the Spanish Presidio and the American expansion during and after the Spanish American War. Investigate old technology through the description and locations of various emblems and markings found on these intricate weapons. Examine and question their necessity by understanding why and how they are here.

Discover some hidden history! Explore the bronze cannon that now decorate this park. Learn about the creation of the Spanish Presidio and the American expansion during and after the Spanish American War. Investigate old technology through the description and locations of various emblems and markings found on these intricate weapons. Examine and question their necessity by understanding why and how they are here.

This walking tour starts in the Langdon Court parking lot. It's an approximately 1.5 mile loop with varied elevation that will take you along a beautiful scenic trail highlighting historical and natural points of interest. Watch your footing along the cliff and be mindful of poison oak. There are no bathrooms or water stations along the trail.

Learn about prison labor over the centuries at Alcatraz and contemplate the effectiveness of making incarcerated people work for punishment or rehabilitation as they do their time. The tour is 0.25 miles (0.4 km) one way with an elevation gain of 50 feet (16 m).

Alcatraz Island lies within Ramaytush Ohlone territory. There is no evidence (scientific or oral tradition) regarding Ohlone use of the island. In 1969, a group of Native American students, who later known as “Indians of All Tribes,” came to occupy the island in a political protest. These students fought for inclusion into the educational system that denied them their cultural existence. On this tour, learn the story of the 19-month Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island. The tour is 0.5 mi (0.8km) one way.

Alcatraz Island lies within Ramaytush Ohlone territory. There is no evidence (scientific or oral tradition) regarding Ohlone use of the island. In 1969, a group of Native American students, who later known as “Indians of All Tribes,” came to occupy the island in a political protest. These students fought for inclusion into the educational system that denied them their cultural existence. On this tour, learn the story of the 19-month Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island. The tour is 0.5 mi (0.8km) one way.

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.

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?

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?