Golden Gate National Recreational Area

The busiest unit in our national park system is the 80,000-acre non-contiguous realm that flanks San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, known as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Here, horse riders clip-clop along the Marin Headlands’ Old Springs Trail.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 30, 2016 3 AM PT

Horse riders climb the Old Springs Trail in the Marin Headlands, which are north across the bay from San Francisco.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Dusk settles along the Marin Headlands and the Point Bonita Lighthouse.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A couple share a picnic lunch at Muir Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors to Muir Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco

A visitor looks over a map at Muir Woods, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Muir Woods, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The majesty and shadowy mystery of the redwoods draw visitors to Muir Woods National Monument. These walkers are on the Fern Creek Trail.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors pause at a trail exhibit among the giant redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A harbor seal eyes a fisherman on a pier in Horseshoe Bay near Ft. Baker overlooking the San Francisco skyline in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A fisherman has the San Francisco skyline to look at as he tries the water off a pier in Horseshoe Bay.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A cyclist rides along a paved road in Ft. Baker near Lime Point.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Patrons of Travis Marina Bar, a.k.a. the Presidio Yacht Club at Ft. Baker, enjoy $5 pints and conversation.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A ferry transports passengers to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

A visitor encounters a mannequin wearing a prison guard uniform at an exhibit inside the administration building at Alcatraz Island in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A rainbow appears above Alcatraz Island as seen from from Crissy Field in the Presidio. Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock,” housed a former federal penitentiary.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Alcatraz Island was used as a military installation in the 1850s, then for imprisonment of Native Americans in the 1890s.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Presidio, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Stand-up paddle boarders ply the water off of the Presidio’s Golden Gate Promenade, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. Alcatraz Island is in the background.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A windsurfing enthusiast skims the water off of the Presidio’s Golden Gate Promenade.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Crissy Field, Golden Gate National Recreational Area

Jake Schutt, center, of Mill Valley plays with son Luke, 10, left, daughter Elsa, 12, and their dog Fisher at Crissy Field in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)