The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, abbreviated as GGNRA covers 82,116 acres of land surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area. This area is ecologically and historically significant, with a rich past. The land once served the United States Army, but it is now under the care of the National Park Service to preserve its natural beauty and historical value.

This recreational area is not a single, continuous entity but rather a diverse collection of regions that stretch from southern San Mateo County to northern Marin County, encompassing several areas within San Francisco. Its diversity is as impressive as its size.

The GGNRA is a popular destination, ranking as the second most-visited unit in the entire U.S. National Park system, just behind the Blue Ridge Parkway. In 2022, over 15.6 million visitors came to explore its beauty. It is also among the world’s largest urban parks, dwarfing the consolidated city and county of San Francisco by two and a half times in size.

Fort Funston, Crissy Field, Rodeo Beach and the Presidio all have some areas where dogs can play off-leash in designated areas. Canine companions on leash or under voice control are allowed on many trails, making the GGNRA a treasured resource for Bay Area dog lovers.

Open space aside, the GGNRA includes many museums and historic sites holding relics from more than 200 years of history.