Golden Gate
This coastal area is home to sandy shores, rugged trails, historic sites, and the iconic Golden Gate
Explore the scenic entrance to San Francisco Bay and get up close to San Francisco’s most beloved icon, the Golden Gate Bridge. Start your adventure at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and then hit the California Coastal Trail. Find breathtaking vistas at the Golden Gate Overlook, where you can connect to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
To dive into history, visit Fort Point National Historic Site and Battery Chamberlin. Or simply enjoy sunset views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach.
Getting to Golden Gate
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Coastal Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129
By Presidio GO Shuttle
Route: South Hills
- Stop: California Coastal Trail
- Stop: 25th Avenue
- Stop: Baker Beach
- Stop: Stilwell Road
By Public Transit
Muni Route: 28 19th Avenue
- Stop: Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot
- Stop: Golden Gate Bridge Tunnel/Merchant Road
Muni Route: 29 Sunset
- Stop: Lincoln Boulevard & Bowley Street
Golden Gate Transit: Multiple Routes
- Stop: Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot
Golden Gate Parking
There is a paid parking area next to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. On weekends and holidays, you can use the additional paid parking area along Merchant Road next to Fort Winfield Scott. At the south end of the Golden Gate region, there are two Baker Beach parking lots that are free to use.
Why We Love the Golden Gate
The Presidio’s western coast offers views, views, and more views. Take the perfect photo of the Golden Gate Bridge from one of the nearby overlooks or spend the day relaxing on the beach and exploring the rugged coastal trails. You can also explore how the Presidio served as “defender of the gate” across the decades, from the cannon at Fort Point National Historic Site to the historic gun batteries on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
Accessibility at Golden Gate
There are wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and accessible restrooms at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Fort Point, and Baker Beach. Visit the National Park Service website for more information about Fort Point and Baker Beach.
Insider Tip
If you’re visiting the Golden Gate Bridge on a cold or rainy day, stop by the Round House Café. Through the windows of this circular art deco building, enjoy dramatic views of the bridge while staying warm and sipping coffee or hot chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a paid parking area right next to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. On weekends and holidays, you can use the additional paid parking area along Merchant Road next to Fort Winfield Scott. You can also visit the Presidio parking page to learn more.
Yes — the Round House Café offers sandwiches, salads, soups, Equator Coffee, and stunning views just steps from the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Golden Gate region has some of the best beaches in San Francisco. Baker Beach has picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and parking areas. The nearby Marshall’s Beach is San Francisco’s most hidden beach where people dare to go bare. It’s only accessible via the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
If you’re looking for Golden Gate Bridge views, this region of the park delivers.
- For close-up views that show the full bridge span: Torpedo Wharf
- For a unique view from underneath the bridge: Fort Point National Historic Site
- For a breathtaking sunset view: Baker Beach
- From scenic vistas, try the Golden Gate Overlook or the Pacific Overlook
Nature Notes
It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.
Wildlife at Golden Gate
Look to the sky for Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, and Harlequin Ducks. In the summer, see native dune plants and wildflowers come alive with color.
