This California Recreation Area Gets More Visits Than The State's 9 National Parks Combined

San Francisco, California, is certainly no stranger to tourism. Visitors flock here from all over for a chance to snap photos of the Transamerica Pyramid, take in a Giants game, drive down Lombard Street, check out the scene at Haight-Ashbury, and eat in Chinatown (or maybe at Anthony Bourdain's favorite Los Angeles restaurant that also has a location in San Francisco). The biggest draw to the area, however, is undoubtedly the Golden Gate Bridge. But did you know that this iconic suspension bridge is actually surrounded on both ends to a much larger Bay Area attraction you don't want to miss?

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a massive national parks property that's spread over 80,000 acres. The area welcomed over 15 million visitors in 2025. Meanwhile, all nine of California's national parks combined saw just 12 million visitors the same year. While it does not include the widely popular bridge itself (that is managed by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District via the State of California), the Golden Gate National Recreation Area does include 37 park sites you may recognize. These include, but are certainly not limited to, Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods National Monument, Land's End, Nike Missile Site, China Beach, Milagra Ridge, the Presidio of San Francisco, and more. 

There are numerous gorgeous outdoor parks included within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. One of the most popular is Muir Woods National Monument, where you can immerse yourself among the tallest trees on the planet. The towering coastal redwoods here are a sight to behold, the tallest of which stands at a whopping 258 feet high. Muir Woods offers numerous hiking opportunities throughout its 550-acres, with trails ranging from the 0.5-mile Bridge 2 Loop to the 11-mile Muir Woods to Stinson Beach trek.

If you'd rather settle for breathtaking views of the Pacific, you can instead visit Land's End. Take the Lands End Trail (also called the Coastal Trail) along the rugged cliffs for some spectacular sights all the way down to the beach. You'll also catch a glimpse of the Cliff House as well as the remnants of the Sutro Bath Houses while you're there. The baths were popular in their heyday (in the late 1800s), and the ruins continue to attract visitors well over a century later. The Cliff House, meanwhile, was once an upscale resort that's undergone multiple renovations after several catastrophes. In its most recent iteration, it housed a museum and restaurant, but is temporarily closed to the public.

Alcatraz Island is best known for being a maximum security federal penitentiary, but it has also served as a military prison and even the site of an occupation by Native American activists. History buffs will want to take a guided or self-guided tour of Alcatraz, which offers an eerie look into San Francisco's past and features exhibits about the history of mass incarceration and of the indigenous fight for freedom at the penitentiary. To get to Alcatraz, you'll need to book a ride via Alcatraz City Cruises, with rides and day tours starting at $47.50.

Another wonderful place to visit in the area is Fort Point National Historic Site, which was first built during the California Gold Rush. Initially intended to be a line of defense against outsiders who might try and attack the area, it never actually encountered any danger. The Fort wound up being mainly used to house military personnel over the years. In 1970, it became a National Historic Site and today, it features exhibits that showcase its previous military capabilities as well as ongoing preservation efforts.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area is about a half hour north of San Francisco International Airport. There's no shortage of accommodations here, with hotels and motels in Mill Valley and in San Francisco ranging from $100 to $700 a night. Camping is also available within San Francisco at the Rob Hill Campground in Presidio. The tent-only campground is open from April 1 through October 31, with four campsites (including two accessible ones). Outside of the city, you can also camp at any of the other four Marin Headlands campgrounds.

For more to do in the Bay Area, check out this gorgeous coastal city near San Francisco with fabulous shopping.