Park Stories

Highlighting the people, engaging programs and beautiful places that make the Golden Gate national parks special. Can't get enough? Sign up for our monthly E-ventures newsletter, and become a member today to receive our gorgeous Gateways Magazine. More about our publications here

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National Trails Day Volunteers
Park E-Ventures Article
If you’ve got free time, come volunteer in the parks! Not only is it free, but it’s a fun, rewarding, and healthy way to spend a summer day. And it’s easy to get involved. Give volunteering a try—you’ll be glad you did!
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Park E-Ventures Article
With the help of the Institute at the Golden Gate’s Food for the Parks program, the National Park Service has announced new standards for healthy and sustainable food options at parks across the country. Get a taste of this important change—here at Golden Gate!
Koch-Cliff Cafe & staff c1912
Park E-Ventures Article
A treasure of the Golden Gate National Parks, the Cliff House marks its 150th anniversary in July. It opened in 1863, in a city famous for its multitude and variety of restaurants. But why so many dining establishments, and how did San Francisco’s culture of “dining out” develop?
California poppies
Park E-Ventures Article
Working with native plants all the time you begin to develop a huge soft spot for them and it becomes easy to forget that not everyone shares the same love and appreciation for our home-grown plants. But the question remains: why?
Park E-Ventures Article
Experience a play about a boy and girl who discover the value of their city through the struggle of love. This completely student-produced play, the annual I-YEL youth project, aims to teach audiences something new about San Francisco.
owl at Muir Woods
Park E-Ventures Article
The trailside discovery of a Great Horned Owl tail feather sparked this rumination: What are some of the many adaptations that make owls such proficient hunters in the dark, quiet night? Take wing and learn more about their unique traits.
National Trails Day Volunteers
Park E-Ventures Article
The Parks Conservancy has a new Trails Stewardship Manager! Meet Jaimie and join the Trail Crew this summer 2013 as drop-in volunteer days, every third Saturday, are in full swing. Read on for all the details.
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Park E-Ventures Article
On June 1, 2013, parks and health organizations around the Bay Area kicked off Healthy Parks, Healthy People: Bay Area—an effort to provide welcoming, culturally relevant programs for all communities. Learn how you can participate in the next round of events!
Nursery volunteers
Park E-Ventures Article
The native plant nurseries in the Golden Gate National Parks follow a unique cycle. Since we rely on the park itself for the seeds and plant material we propagate for restoration projects, the nurseries follow the natural cycle of the land. Right now? Transplanting time!
volunteer work
Park E-Ventures Article
We had a blast on National Trails Day , thanks to all of our amazing volunteers and generous sponsors—and beautiful weather and great service projects!
Dipsea Trail (Mount Tamalpais)
Park E-Ventures Article
Most trail names are self-explanatory; they take their monikers from the area’s geographic features or natural resources. But some are a little more cryptic and obscure. In honor of National Trails Day on June 1, we did a little sleuthing into 10 mysterious trail names.
salamander
Park E-Ventures Article
Learn how populations of the Ensatina split in the Central Valley and discover how this little salamander—the textbook definition of a “ring species”—vividly illustrates how nature frustrates the human compulsion to classify and categorize species.