Fall guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Discover the autumnal things to do, fall foliage & more
It's the season we fall in love with the national parks of the Bay Area. We might not get the same fall foliage as Vermont or New Hampshire, but there's still plenty to do in your coastal parklands every autumn.
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Trails to Hike in the GGNRA this Fall Season
For the best fall foliage and autumn leaves, our Native Plant Nursery experts recommend looking for big leaf maples and creek dogwoods in riparian zones (along creeks and rivers). Here are staff selected trails for great autumnal outings in the parks to go leaf-peeping:
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Fall Activities in the GGNRA
How to identify 19 species of birds of prey during fall migration season
The Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program is a cooperative parkwide effort of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust.
Fall Events in the GGNRA
As the temperature begins to drop here in the Bay Area, many native plant species show their beauty through their leaves, bark, or fruits.
The next time you are hiking through the coastal scrub or the riparian habitat, be sure to seek out these gorgeous autumn leaves recommended by our Native Plant Nursery staff.
Like other deciduous trees, Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) is a native show-stopper when its leaves turn bright yellow. It is found along riparian areas. John Rusk
California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) look like Mother Nature hung ornaments on its bare branches. When the leaves drop, large brown seeds are the only thing left hanging. Debbie Ballentine
Creek Dogwood (Cornus sericea) can be found in riparian areas. The species makes its presence known as its leaves drop, showcasing bright red branches underneath. Matt Lavin
While best viewed from a distance, Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) offers reds, purples, oranges, and yellows in the fall. Viewer beware—the plant retains its itch-inducing oils even without its leaves. Paul Asman & Jill Lenoble
While many other species of oaks in California are deciduous (they lose their leaves), the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is evergreen. Watch as acorns mature (usually from Sept. to Nov.) before dropping. Franco Folini
Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilularis) reveals why it is named after the trickster canine in the fall. When the seed clusters of the plant open, they expose a crown of white hairs that resemble the fur of a coyote. These fine hairs are technically known as “pappus” and allow the attached “achene” (seed) to disperse by wind. Peggy A. Lopipero-Langmo
