It’s obvious why Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most visited units of the National Park System, with over 13 million visitors a year. The two hundred years of history boast Native American culture, the Spanish Empire frontier, the Mexican Republic, maritime history, the California Gold Rush, the evolution of American coastal fortifications and the growth of urban San Francisco. Explore the many areas of the park, stretching from northern San Mateo County to Southern Marin County and including several areas of San Francisco. As diverse as it is expansive, famous tourist attractions in the park include Muir Woods National Monument, Alcatraz and the Presidio of San Francisco.