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Golden Gate National Recreational AreaComposite photo showing permitted activities in the GGNRA: triathlons, commercial filming, weddings, and sand soccer.
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Golden Gate National Recreational Area
Permits
 

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is home to many unique and beautiful landscapes that are ideal venues for a variety of special activities such as cultural programs, picnics, wedding ceremonies, festivals, athletic events, and film and photography projects.

Do you need a permit? Picnics with fewer than 50 people, athletic events with fewer than 30 people and  beach fires with fewer than 25 people do NOT need a permit. Picnic tables and beach fire rings are first-come, first-served and are not reservable. Individuals taking still photos in public areas do not need a permit.

To obtain a permit, please fill out one of the forms located here:

Click here for: Permit Application Forms and Brochures/Information

See the side bar on the right for much more information!

Click here for: Park Maps

Click here for: Calendar of Events in the Park

Please note that the information on these pages is for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, part of the National Park Service. To get a permit or other information about San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, you can call 415-831-5500 or visit the park's website. GGNRA does not issue permits for the Presidio Trust, Mt. Tamalpias, Vista Point, Marina Green, or Angel Island. 

For more information, please explore the links on this page. If your question is still not answered, you can contact the staff below. Please note that we write over 1000 permits a year, and are usually quite busy. Filling out the application form and sending it in is the fastest way to begin planning your event.

Picnics, Weddings and Ceremonies, Fort Mason Chapel, Memorials, Beach Fires and other Small Events
The person writing these permits is currently out of the office. Last minute requests will not be able to be accomodated. For assistance, please contact another person in the Office of Special Park Uses.

Fort Mason Officer's Club
Managed by Next Course. Contact Pat Swan at (415) 441-7700 

Large Event & Film Permits - South of the Golden Gate Bridge  (including Fort Mason and Crissy Field)
Noémi Margaret Robinson - (415) 561-4371 or e-mail us

Large Event & Film Permits - Alcatraz Island and areas North of the Golden Gate Bridge (including the Marin Headlands)
Mark Grupé - (415) 561-4302 or e-mail us 

Chief of the Office of Special Park Uses
Rich Weideman - (415) 561-4730 or e-mail us

Budget Assistant to the Office of Special Park Uses
Janet Szwed - (415) 561-4372 or e-mail us

Correspondence may be faxed to anyone in the Office of Special Park Uses at (415) 561-4305.

 

Permit applications, certificates of insurance, and correspondence to anyone in the Office of Special Park Uses may be faxed to (415) 561-4305.

As of May 1, 2008, the permit office can no longer accept checks, cashier's checks, or money orders for payment. All permits must be paid by credit card. If you do not have a credit card, please contact the permitting office before submitting your application. Thank you.

This information is for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, part of the National Park Service, and does not contain information about San Francisco's Golden Gate Park or Marina Green, the Presidio Trust, California State Parks including Mt. Tam and Angel Island, or the Golden Gate Bridge.

A newlywed couple outside of Fort Mason Chapel
Weddings and Ceremonies
Celebrate at Ft. Mason Chapel or a beautiful outdoor setting.
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A video camera and set light near Fort Point
Filming and Photography
Get that perfect shot at our famous sites.
more...
Picture of the Avon Breast Cancer Walk-a-Thon setup at Crissy Field with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Special Events
Have your next large event or race in a picture perfect setting.
more...
A western gull standing on a building on Alcatraz Island
Events and Overnights on Alcatraz
Make it a night to remember on Alcatraz.
more...
Franciscan rocks of the Golden Gate Headlands  

Did You Know?
Studies in the Franciscan Complex in the San Francisco area were instrumental in providing scientists with an understanding of subduction processes and their geologic results.

Last Updated: April 28, 2009 at 15:14 EST