Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area spans a total area of approximately 82,000 acres of land that encompasses the shoreline area of Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties in California. The park is governed by the National Park Service and was established on October 27, 1972, and then later designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1988. 

To access the park, visitors can use several different routes including Highway 1, Highway 101, Highway 880, or Highway 280. Several attractions lure visitors into Golden Gate National Recreation Area. First of all, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area features 28 miles of coastline. 

The park also boasts the fact that it is the largest urban national park in the world that includes lagoons, marshes, ocean beaches, redwood forest, military properties, Alcatraz Island, and a cultural center at Fort Mason. Beyond these attractions, the park is also a great place to enjoy several recreational activities like hiking, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, swimming, auto touring, interpretive programs, and fishing.

Some of the amenities in the park to facilitate this wide array of activities include a picnic area, campgrounds, restrooms, bicycle trail, visitor centers, bathhouse, restaurant, museum, and self-guided tours. Dogs are also allowed to join in on the fun at Golden Gate National Recreation Area although dog owners may find that their full access to all areas of the park will be restricted. 

For example, dogs are not allowed into park buildings like the visitor center. In all other areas of the park, the dog owner is required to keep their dog on a leash. If the dog is not leashed, then the pooch should be kept in a safe and secure container. Furthermore, dog owners are expected to clean up after their dogs. As such it is a good idea for dog owners to carry some poop bags for their convenience.