2016-12-21 05:30:33
Alpine forests, dramatic sea cliffs, towering redwoods and fascinating regional histories are just the beginning of what you’ll discover at national park sites in or near San Francisco. Get some fresh air while you’re here. 1. GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA With multiple sites in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties, GGNRA is the largest and most accessible national park for city dwellers. The Coastal Trail at Lands End offers spectacular sea and bay views, while the Marin Headlands has hiking and biking trails that meander past historic military bunkers to reach 920-foottall Hawk Hill. 2. ALCATRAZ ISLAND Easily the most soughtafter ticket for Bay Area visitors, Alcatraz is situated just a short ferry ride away in San Francisco Bay. A prison for the country’s most dangerous convicts from 1933 to 1963, the island’s rich history comes alive during the self-guided audio tour narrated by former guards and prisoners. Book tickets in advance — tours sell out quickly. 3. FORT POINT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Lurking mostly unseen under the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point was built prior to the Civil War as the first line of defense against enemy warships entering San Francisco Bay. Active through WWII, the fort’s well-preserved arched casements are an excellent example of expert brick masonry from the era. 4. JUAN BATISTA DE ANZA NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL Trace the footsteps of Juan Batista de Anza, the Spanish explorer who established the Presidio and Mission San Francisco in 1776. In San Francisco, the Mountain Lake Trail in the Presidio includes a marker where de Anza camped, and sections of the trail circle the Bay Area and continue south to Monterey and beyond. 5. MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT Just 17 miles from San Francisco in Marin County, the 554-acre Muir Woods is a popular draw for locals and tourists alike. Dry in summer months, the park is often shrouded in fog — a vital ingredient to the unique ecosystem of old growth coast redwoods. The trees grow as high as 250 feet in height with most between 500–800 years old. Avoid parking hassles and ride the Muir Woods Shuttle from April through October. 6. POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE A triangle-shaped peninsula strung along the western edge of Marin County, this wild and windy park encompasses 71,000 acres of rolling grasslands, twisted Monterey pines and a dramatic rocky coastline. While 1,500 species of plants and animals call the park home, the main attraction is the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula — an ideal spot for watching migrating gray whales. 7. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK A jewel in the national park crown, this vast wilderness on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is one of the most popular attractions in the state. The spectacular Yosemite Valley is the epicenter; about a four-hour drive from San Francisco. Enjoy views of the soaring rock cliff El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and the dramatic Vernal Falls. Intrepid hikers can also trek up the 4,800-foot-high Half Dome. 8. STANISLAUS NATIONAL PARK Fish in more than 800 miles of rivers and streams, stay in a campground or hike into the backcountry seeking pristine solitude. Located in Tuolumne County, this 898,099-acre forest is on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Just three hours from San Francisco, the forest is located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.
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