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The California Coastal Trail leading to the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Myleen Hollero.

Golden Gate

This coastal area is home to sandy shores, rugged trails, historic sites, and the iconic Golden Gate

Region

Golden Gate Region

Interests

History, Nature & Sustainability, Recreation

Top Amenities

Accessible Parking, Accessible Restrooms, Wheelchair-accessible Picnic Tables, Picnic Tables, Paid Parking

Discover stunning beaches and some of the best hikes in San Francisco — with panoramic Golden Gate Bridge views.

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.

Map of the Presidio

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.

Runner at the Pacific Overlook, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Photo by Jay Graham.Photo by Jay Graham.
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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.  

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.

Red-tailed hawk in flight at the Presidio. Photo courtesy of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area park archive.Photo courtesy of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area park archive.

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