Safety in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Tips and resources for visiting the Bay Area's national parks safely

Sign saying "Smash and Grab Hotspot"

Preparation is key when planning a safe and memorable visit to any park. As with any acitvity, recreating outdoors can have inherent hazards, especially when in an urban environment. Along with our partners at the National Park Service, we compiled info and resources to help you have a safe visit to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area so that you, and future visitors, can enjoy and experience the parks to the fullest. 

Public Safety in the Parks

U.S. Park Police Phone Numbers

Non-Emergency: (415) 561-5505

Emergency: (415) 561-5656

Jump to a section:

General Outdoor Safety Tips 

  • Stay on trails!
  • Know where you're going. You can download maps of the GGNRA from NPS on their website. You can also use a map app on your smart phone--or if you don't have service, take a photo of a map at a trailhead.
  • Prepare for limited or no cell phone service.
  • Do not hike alone. Many areas do not have reliable cellphone reception and/or are far from help. The parks are meant to be shared!
  • Keep your dog on leash, unless you are in an off-leash/voice-control area. See the dog-friendly page on NPS.gov for more info.
  • Keep children within reach.
  • Wear appropriate clothing—hiking shoes, long pants, a hat, sunglasses etc.
  • Pack accordingly, bring water, sunscreen, an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) if you are allergic to bees, or anything else you might need.
  • Never touch, approach, or feed wildlife; this can make them aggressive and threaten the safety of you and the animal.
  • Report sick, dead, or strangely acting wildlife to a park ranger immediately.
  • Drive carefully; deer and other wildlife are often hit by cars. Windy roads, with tight turns also present hazards.
  • Please report any lost items to the property office at U.S. Park Police at 415-561-5107. For more info, please visit the Property Recovery page of the United States Park Police website.
     

Vehicle Burglary Prevention 

When visiting any park or tourist hotspot in the San Francisco Bay Area, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you just as you would anywhere else.

  • Only bring what you need for your park visit—Leave your valuables at home or rental/hotel. Make arrangements to drop off luggage at hotel or rental property before visiting the park.
  • Secure your vehicle—Keep doors locked and windows rolled up all the way. Take ID's, passports, backpacks, cameras, and purses with you. Always lock your vehicle, even if you only step away from it for a moment.
  • Keep items out of sight—Make sure luggage, shopping bags, electronics, cell phones, cameras, and other items are hidden. Never leave anything on the seats, dashboard, or floor. Better yet, take items with you while you explore the parks if you can. 
  • Take electronics with you—Thieves can find phones, laptops, computers, or other devices by scanning for Bluetooth or wi-fi networks. Turn electronics completely off if you leave items hidden in your vehicle.
  • Secure your keys—Never leave your keys in your vehicle, even if you're just stepping away for a minute. Be careful of where you keep your spare key. Don't store your spare key on the inside or outside of your car. It can make it easy for thieves to steal your car. A thief wouldn't even have to find the key in the vehicle to drive away if it is the car has a push-start feature.
  • Activate your car alarm—Turn on your car alarm so the siren will be triggered if someone opens the car door or attempts to turn the car on. Hopefully, the noise will be enough to deter a thief, since they won't want the attention the alarm brings.
  • Be alert—If you observe suspicious activity or experience criminal activity in the park, call our 24-hour park dispatch center:
    • Non-Emergency: 415-561-5505
    • Emergency: 415-561-5656

If You See Something, Say Something!” Your report could save the next visitor from being a victim of crime.

If you need a copy of your Incident Report see the NPS webpage "How to Request a Police Report" for more details.

More Resources

Driver shows Muir Woods parking reservation to attendent
Parks
Tour
Transportation
Reservations for parking and seats on the Muir Woods shuttle are now required seven days a week, year-round.
A red and gray San Francisco Muni bus parked at a station in the Presidio
Parks
Buses, light rail, and ferries get us where we need to go in the Bay Area—including parks! The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is unique in the national park system for its proximity to an urban area, which means public transit can be a viable option for getting here...

Beach Safety TIPS

Besides Stinson Beach in Marin County as a notable exception, most of the beaches and shorelines within the GGNRA are not staffed by lifeguards and are not recommended for swimming. Some, like San Francisco's Ocean Beach, present hazards for even waders. Rough surf, rip currents, sneaker waves, and cold water can make for a dangerous combination for beach-goers. Before visiting the beach, check the weather and ask a lifeguard about surf conditions. 

More Resources

Stinson Beach
Park E-Ventures Article
“Summer” is coming. Be prepared for when the temperature soars above the 60s this fall—discover the best beaches in your Golden Gate National Parks and learn important safety tips for any trip to the surf and shore.
Ocean Beach
Park E-Ventures Article
Flanking San Francisco’s westernmost edge, Ocean Beach’s thunderous surf seems inviting on those rare hot days in San Francisco. But the hidden forces beneath those waves should give you pause before cooling off with an afternoon swim.
Scenic view overlooking the beach and bluffs of Fort Funston stretching out to the pacific ocean and gorgeous sunset
Parks

The GGNRA's best beaches in San Francisco and Marin

The coastal parklands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in San Francisco County and Marin County have a beach escape for everyone. See the list of the GGNRA's best beaches in the San Franisco Bay Area.

Terrain SAFETY TIPS

Cliffs: Some cliff edges are unstable and can fall. Never stand on a cliff's edge and abide by signs warning of unstable ground. If you see cracks in the ground do not go beyond them. Watch where you are going. Keep your dog leashed unless in an off-leash area. Do not attempt to take selfies next to cliff edges, stick to trails and boardwalks.

Roads: Many roads are narrow and windy. Drive slowly, observe speed limits and allow passengers to enjoy the scenery.

More Resources

Ocean Beach
Parks

Find your path to discovery and adventure

Trails are as unique and complex as the ecosystems they help protect, or the extraordinary people who help care for them. Introduce yourself to one of the trails in the Golden Gate National Parks. And get ready to meet magic.
Batteries to Bluffs Trail in the Presidio
Park E-Ventures Article
Here’s a handy primer—or a reminder—of some common-courtesy rules of trail etiquette.
Rodeo Valley Trail
Parks
Learn more about the "Leave No Trace Seven Principles" to help minimize our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems.
Poison Oak
Park E-Ventures Article
“Leaves of three, let it be. If it’s hairy, it’s a berry. If it’s shiny, watch your hiney.” That famous rhyme can help you pick out poison oak—for part of the year. But, because Toxicodendron diversilobum is deciduous, what about the other seasons?
Yellow wildflowers on hill at Mori Point
Article
Where can you enjoy the array of seasonal flora in the Golden Gate National Parks while minimizing your impact? Follow these tips.
Hiking with dog
Article
Looking for a prime spot to take your pup? Check out our top picks for Rex-reation!

Wildlife Safety Tips

  • Mountain Lions: Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. However, if a mountain lion feels threatened—or if you get between a mountain lion and her young—it may attack. Additionally, dogs will be considered prey by mountain lions.
  • Coyotes: Coyotes are small and rarely pose a threat to humans. However, coyotes may harm or even kill your dog. Always keep your dog on leash unless in a zone specified for off-leash dog walking.
  • American Black Bears: Bears occasionally are spotted in our parklands. Learn how to hike in bear country and how to react if a bear approaches you.
  • Ticks: Ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of vertebrate species (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) and can cause a range of illnesses in both humans and animals. They can carry Lyme disease and other diseases.

More Resources

An American dog tick on someone's hand.
Stories
Expert tips for how to identify, remove ticks while exploring the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Coyotes
Conservation
We want you to have a howlingly good time in the Golden Gate National Parks, but we also want to protect the wildlife that howl (and those that don’t).
A coyote explores the Presidio of San Francisco.
Article
Spring is coyote pupping season in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Get tips on how you can safely enjoy the GGNRA alongside the wild animals that call it home.

Prepare for your visit

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.

 

Person in red jacket with a blue backpack talking down the pathway at Point Bonita Lighthouse.
Parks
Getting out into nature should be fun, accessible, and affordable. That’s why we’re here to help with a guide on how to plan and prepare for the most popular activity in the parks: day hiking.
Hawk Hill Trail
Parks

Nature and beauty, health and happiness: You'll find it all in our Golden Gate National Parks. And just when you think you've seen everything, you'll find something new. Explore 80,000 acres of the world's most stunning parklands below.

Nature and beauty, health and happiness: You'll find it all in our Golden Gate National Parks. And just when you think you've seen everything, you'll find something new. Explore 80,000 acres of the world's most stunning parklands below.
Webcam Still Image
Parks
Take a look at our parks today through webcams!

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