Alt Text

Map of the southern area of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California. The park is highlighted in green with the surrounding areas in tan. Red lines represent roads, and dotted green lies represent trails.

Extended Description

The southern part of the park is the area south of the Golden Gate Bridge. It stretches from the north end of San Francisco and down the coast all the way to Montara Mountain.

Starting in San Francisco, there are several landmarks near the bridge including San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason (Park Headquarters), the Presidio Visitor Center, Crissy Field, Presidio, Fort Point National Historic Site, Baker Beach, China Beach, and Lands End Lookout. There are hostels near San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and the Presidio Visitor Center. Picnic areas are available at Crissy Field and Baker Beach. There is a campground in Presidio and scenic overlooks by the bridge and Lands End Lookout. There are also two bus stops by the bridge and a hiking trail that begins at Lands End Lookout.

As the park travels down the coast along the Great Highway, it passes Ocean Beach, Fort Funston, and Mussel Rock before making it to the Montara Mountain area. Swimming is not recommended at Ocean Beach due to frigid water and strong currents. There is an observation deck and a picnic area at Fort Funston. Hiking trails connect Ocean Beach and Fort Funston.

Near the base of Montara Mountain off State Highway 1, Milagra Ridge, Sweeney Ridge, and Mori Point form a triangle. Within that area there are several hiking trails, three bus stops, two scenic overlooks, and a picnic area at Sweeney and Milagra.

State Highway 1 continues along the coast through a tunnel near Devils Slide, past Montara State Beach to an area known as Rancho Corral de Tierra on Montara Mountain. There are hiking trails within the area and equestrian use is allowed there as well. Half Moon Bay Airport sits just outside the area on the coast as well as three bus stops, and the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel. Beyond the Rancho Corral de Tierra is the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed.

Legend

A scale in the lower right corner of the map starts with seven symbols representing Information, Scenic overlook, Trailhead, Bus stop, Campground, Lodging, and an icon of a picnic bench represents Picnic area, restrooms, and parking.

To the right of the symbols is a legend that reads as follows:

BA for BART station,

Red dot for Artillery battery,

Green dotted line for Trail,

Green shading for Golden Gate NRA,

Tan shading for Other public land, and

Blue line and shading for Offshore boundary.

Beneath this a scale measures distances of 1 and 2 kilometers and 1 and 2 miles.