Spring guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Discover springtime things to do, wildflower hikes & more

Yellow and white wildflowers cover a bluff at Mori Point in San Mateo County.

Spring is one superlative season that’ll be sure to delight all the senses. Persistent precipitation in the wintertime yields a floral array akin to any fashion show and a verdant hillside hue as deep as any forest. Put those rain boots away--it's time to dust off the hiking shoes.

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Wildflower Trails to Hike in the GGNRA this Spring Season

You know the feeling—you arrive at your favorite park, only to find the parking lot packed. In spring, popular wildflower spots like Mori Point can become overcrowded, putting stress on both the flowers and the ecosystem.

Escape the crowds and explore our experts’ favorite hidden wildflower trails.

Trail atop Bolinas Ridge
Trail

Length

11.90 miles round-trip
From the top of Bolinas Ridge take in bird’s-eye views up and down the San Andreas Rift Zone. The fault divides Olema Valley , a lovely, undulating landscape reminiscent of England, that dips slowly down to the waters of Tomales Bay in the north, and Bolinas Lagoon in the south...
Notch Trail
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

2.10 miles round-trip
From Skyline College, you'll be shocked by how quickly you can leave civilization. Begin the climb through the trees to a view of Rockaway Beach. You'll have some great ocean views during this portion of the trail. The trail turns away from the ocean, and you view the valley below...
Mission blue butterfly
Trail
Difficulty: Moderate

Length

1.20 miles round-trip
Surrounded by urban development in Pacifica, Milagra Ridge forms what biologists call an island ecosystem. Despite this isolation, this 250-acre park hosts a surprising diversity of natural resources. It is home to threatened and endangered species like the mission blue and San Bruno elfin butterflies.
View of the Golden Gate from the Marin Headlands
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

0.71 miles round-trip
Highway 101 lies just below this trail. Take your time and enjoy the views in the canyon as you make your way up the hill side, and look out over the bay as you follow numerous switchbacks.
A park visitor runs on the SCA Trail in the Marin Headlands with the San Francisco skyline in background.
Trail
Difficulty: Easiest

Length

4.02 miles round-trip
A hike along the SCA Trail will provide a breathless vista of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding Bay. When the sun is shining and the fog is lifted, hiking along this trail will make memories that will last a lifetime.
Habitat restoration volunteers work on Alta Ridge
Trail

Length

5.02 miles round-trip
This is a long but gradual climb from the eastern side of the Marin Headlands . This fire road is in good condition, making for an easy route to meander along.
Runner takes on the challenge of the Dipsea Trail
Trail
Difficulty: Very Strenuous

Length

9.44 miles round-trip
Stretching from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach , the famed Dipsea Trail is for hikers looking for a challenge.
Golden Gate Bridge views from the paths at Fort Mason
Trail
Difficulty: Moderate

Length

0.82 miles round-trip
This segment of the Bay Trail, skirting the northern edge of Fort Mason , features lovely Golden Gate Bridge vistas and an overhead view of the piers and buildings of lower Fort Mason, the port of embarkation from which 1.6 million military personnel shipped out to the Pacific Theater.

Spring Activities in the GGNRA

From wildflower hikes and wildlife spotting to snagging a fire pit at Ocean Beach, here are staff picks for great spring outings and activities in the parks:

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.
A group of NPS rangers rally together during the Junior Ranger Jamboree in 2016.
Parks

Here at the Golden Gate National Parks, there are so many opportunities to celebrate National Park Week 2025! See all the different ways you can experience the national parks in our backyard from April 19-27.

Humpback Whale
Park E-Ventures Article
Thar she blows! Your coastal parklands are parallel to a marine passage for migrating humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales, orcas, and so many more leviathans. We talked to the experts about what you can do to enhance your chances of spotting a whale spout on your next visit.
A monarch butterfly in nature.
Article
In times of great uncertainty, reconnecting to nature and grounding yourself in the outdoors can be a calming practice. Here are a couple of suggestions on how to get started.
Ocean Beach visitors warm up beside a bonfire in the iconic fire pits as a golden sunset illuminates the sky.
Parks
Where else can you roast s'mores while watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean? So bundle up and head out to these beaches for a memorable time out.

Spring Events in the GGNRA

From Earth Day volunteer opportunities and National Park Week celebrations to a seasonal kickoff party, don’t miss these vibrant spring events!

A smiling couple sits with their dog at the Parks4All: Brewfest in the Presidio
Events

Upcoming Events

Habitat Restoration in Tennessee Valley

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.

Volunteer
Long exposure photo of an enclosed outdoor picnic area in the Presidio glows with bright pink lights with an astronomy telescope seen in the foreground
Sat, Apr 12 5:00pm-9:00pm
Presidio Tunnel Tops
Events
Discovering local flora and fauna during the City Nature Challenge.
Sat, Apr 26 10:00am-1:00pm
Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
Events

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