Golden Gate National Park

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Parks › California › Golden Gate › Points of Interest
CONTENTS

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is one of 13 marine sanctuaries in the U.S., found outside San Francisco's Golden Gate, and comprises part of the United Nations' Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve . It adjoins two other National Marine Sanctuaries, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was declared in 1981 and protects about 1,250 square miles (3,237 km2) of the waters off San Francisco, part of the highly productive California Current System. Within the sanctuary are the Farallon Islands and associated National Wildlife Refuge, the sanctuary protects the feeding grounds of the seabirds and seals that breed and haul out on the islands. The sanctuary also protects migrating whales, especially gray whales, and a population of great white sharks.

The Marine Sanctuary is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For additional information, call (415) 561-6622.

Directions

Directions to the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Headquarters Office & Visitor Center
991 Marine Drive, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129

Public Transportation:
Muni bus #29 travels nearby the West end of Crissy Field. Stillwell Hall is the closest stop (Mason at Crissy Field Avenue). Call for details (415) 673-MUNI.

From downtown or East Bay:

Drive west on Marina Blvd. staying in the right lane, to its end at Baker St.

Arrive at the stop sign & proceed straight, entering into the Presidio along Mason St.

Continue on Mason St. (~1.5 miles); at stop sign proceed straight to the end of the greenbelt.

Turn RIGHT at the sign "To West Bluff Picnic Area & Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center" and drive toward the Bay about 500 yards.

Before sharp left bend in the road, turn RIGHT down the driveway marked "Authorized Vehicles Only." Driveway ends in a parking lot and we are located in the second large building to your right.

(If you accidentally get onto the freeway approach/Doyle Drive, continue toward the Golden Gate Bridge and take the last SF exit before the toll plaza; then refer to the directions for "From 19th Avenue/Park Presidio")

From Marin County:

Enter Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza on far RIGHT.

After toll booth exit immediately (before bus stop).

Proceed straight up hill to stop sign.

At stop sign turn LEFT onto Lincoln Blvd. Follow it down the hill, past the Fort Point entrance and under the freeway underpass.

Follow signs toward Crissy Field; turn LEFT on McDowell.

At stop sign, veer left onto Crissy Field Ave. under overpass, and past pet cemetery on your left.

At stop sign turn RIGHT, make immediate LEFT at the first warehouse, drive toward the Bay about 500 yards (careful of approaching traffic from the right).

Before sharp left bend in the road, turn RIGHT down the driveway marked "Authorized Vehicles Only." Driveway ends in a parking lot and we are located in the second large building to your right.

From 19th Avenue/Park Presidio:

Turn RIGHT at the last San Francisco Exit before the Golden Gate Bridge toll booth. (Sign reads: Presidio/Golden Gate National Recreation Area)

Stay to the RIGHT. This will take you to Lincoln Blvd.

Turn LEFT onto Lincoln Blvd. Follow it down the hill, past the Fort Point entrance and under the freeway underpass.

Follow signs toward Crissy Field; turn LEFT on McDowell.

At stop sign, veer left onto Crissy Field Ave. under overpass, and past pet cemetery on your left.

At stop sign turn RIGHT, make immediate LEFT at the first warehouse, drive toward the Bay about 500 yards (careful of approaching traffic from the right).

Before sharp left bend in the road, turn RIGHT down the driveway marked "Authorized Vehicles Only." Driveway ends in a parking lot and we are located in the second large building to your right.