There’s no place like the California coast. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is home to 91 miles of precious shoreline used for recreation, learning, and general enjoyment by people and the many living things which populate our varied coastal ecosystems. 

The highest tides of the year are royal tides A.K.A. king tides. These naturally occurring events happen a few times in a calendar year when the gravitational pull of the aligned sun, moon, and Earth are strongest. 

While this phenomenon is normal, when these high tides occur during times of excessive raining or flooding, there is an increased chance for damage to occur. 

As exceptional weather events happen more frequently due to human caused climate change, when these tides arrive during the year, we have the opportunity to see current flood risks while getting a better idea of what higher sea levels might look like in the future.