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Spring guide to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Discover springtime things to do, wildflower hikes & more
Wildflowers cover a bluff at Mori Point in San Mateo County.
Ryan Curran White / Parks Conservancy
Spring in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one superlative season that’ll be sure to delight all the senses. The abundant winter rains give way to a breathtaking wildflower bloom, transforming the coastal trails and rolling hills into vibrant displays of color. Lush, green landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, rivaling the beauty of any dense forest.
Springtime is also the perfect season to give back. Celebrate National Park Week as well as Earth Day and Spring Days of Service by volunteering, enjoying nature, and contributing to the preservation of these iconic Bay Area destinations.
So, swap out those rain boots—it’s time to lace up your hiking shoes and hit the trails.
Jump to a section:
Wildflower Trails to Hike in the GGNRA this Spring Season
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...
Trail
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...
Trail
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.
Trail
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.
Trail
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.
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.
Trail
Length
9.44 miles round-trip
Stretching from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach , the famed Dipsea Trail is for hikers looking for a challenge.
Trail
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
Article
Where can you enjoy the array of seasonal flora in the Golden Gate National Parks while minimizing your impact? Follow these tips.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Sat, Apr 26 10:00am-1:00pm
Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
Events
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