Spring 2018 Guide to the Parks for the Hip and Happening

A new season means a new menu of events and happenings for those seeking adventure—and a good time—in the Golden Gate National Parks. Spring is when your parks “wake up” from their wintry slumber (in the San Francisco Bay Area, winter is basically just “diet spring”), so see what’s in store from April to June.

Wildflowers

This winter’s patchy, postponed precipitation ensured we won’t have a “super bloom” of flowers like we saw in 2017, but that doesn’t mean our parks won’t have a floral extravaganza in store for you in the coming weeks.

Hillsides from Mori Point to the Marin Headlands will be erupting with colorful displays of California poppies, seaside daisies, Douglas irises, and so many more. You can expect to start seeing flowers stir from their winter slumber in early to mid-April.

And for you Bay Area wildflower hunters, here are tried-and-true places where you can wander among the wildflowers: Mori Point, Mt. Tamalpais, Marin Headlands, and Lands End.

For a guided experience, don’t miss the wildflower walk with our Park Stewardship team on April 21.

Give Back Kick Back - Rescheduled for Saturday, June 2

Volunteer in the AM, party in the PM. It’s that simple.

Greet the day at the “Give Back” with early morning yoga from Downward Drinking Dog, followed by a habitat restoration project at Lands End.

Then replenish your body and soul at the “Kick Back” with all-you-can-eat BBQ, live music from Bay Area celebrity Gabe Bondoc, and complimentary adult beverages from Fort Point Beer, Deep Eddy Vodka, and Sufferfest Beer. Wind down and make new friends in an outdoor lounge hosted by REI.

Volunteers get discounted tickets to the “Kick Back.” If you’re unable to volunteer, you can still buy a ticket to the afternoon festivities. Get your tickets today.

This event is 21+. You must present a valid ID at check-in.

Earth Day

While it’s Earth Day every day at the Parks Conservancy, we honor this global celebration of our planet by hosting a galaxy of volunteer activities throughout the parks. Sign up for one of our regular drop-in programs on Saturday, April 21:

• Historic Landscaping at Ocean Beach | 9 am-Noon | Register

• Earth Day at Fort Scott | Presidio of SF | | 9 am-2 pm | Register

• Golden Gate Trail Crew | Presidio of SF | 9 am-Noon | More info

• Black Point Historic Gardens | Fort Mason | 9 am-Noon | Register

• Volunteer Nike Missile Site | Marin Headlands | 9:30 am-12:30 pm | Register

Presidio

There’s never a dull moment in the Presidio! The 1,400-acre former military base in the northwest corner of San Francisco is courting Bay Area locals and visitors with a buffet of events this spring, ranging from uplifting volunteer events to a happy hour celebrating Walt Disney.

• Presidio Picnic | Every Sunday from 11 am-4 pm until October 21 | Main Post

• Presidio Nature Challenge | Saturday, April 28 from 9 am-Noon | Presidio Officers’ Club

• After Hours: Disney at the O Club | 7-10 p.m. | Presidio Officers’ Club

• Presidio Twilight | Thursdays Evenings from May to September | Presidio Main Post

Trail Mixers

Think outdoor happy hour. Join us at our Trail Mixers event series, happening every second Thursday of the month from May until August, for brews and views and with your crews!

Each Trail Mixer sports its own theme in a brand-new location in San Francisco, making each happy hour a unique experience in your national parks.

Who knows? You just might discover a new, idyllic corner of the parks while you’re sipping on beers from Fort Point Beer Company, enjoying REI’s outdoor lounge, and noshing snacks from Whole Foods.

• Trail Mixer - Hispanic Heritage | May 10 from 6-8:30 pm | Presidio Native Plant Nursery

Parks Conservancy members receive discounted entry into Trail Mixers. Learn more about becoming a member and joining a movement that's building a community of fun-loving nature enthusiasts through this series of “park socials!”

Golden Gate Maintenance: Ocean Beach

For the picturesque coastline at San Francisco’s westernmost edge, Ocean Beach needs some serious TLC, especially during fire pit “burn season.”

On every second Friday from March to October, you can work alongside park rangers and fellow community members as you restore this beloved San Francisco national park site. Projects include litter removal, weeding plants, vegetation pruning, painting, and more. Learn more about this regular drop-in program.

As always, stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest events, updates, and happenings in the parks. See you out in the parks!