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.

 

It is NOT permitted to burn debris, including Christmas trees, anywhere in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Beach fires are only allowed within fire rings at Ocean Beach and Muir Beach. Only untreated wood may be burned. All fires are canceled when a Spare the Air day/night has been issued, regardless of whether a permit has been issued.

Please note that the information on these pages is for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, two of the almost 400 units that make up your National Park Service.

How do I get a Permit for Marina Green, Golden Gate Park (e.g. Hellman Hollow/Speedway Meadow, Lindley Meadow, the Japanese Tea Garden, Windmills, Beach Chalet, Strawberry Hill, etc.) or other city parks? To get a permit in the city of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, call 415-831-5500 or visit the city's park website. 

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area also does not issue permits for the Presidio Trust, Mt. Tamalpias, Vista Point, Angel Island State Park, Fort Mason Center, or any of the areas within Golden Gate Park. 

Now that you know you want to have your event in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, do you need a permit? It depends on what type of event you are planning on having within the park.

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 without props, sets or models do NOT need a permit.

To obtain a permit within the GGNRA, please fill out one of the forms located here: 
Permit Application Forms and Brochures/Information

Click here for: Park Maps

Click here for: Permit Cost Estimates

For more information, please explore the links on this page. If your question is still not answered, you may 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. If your event or film shoot covers more than one location you need only write to one permit specialist.

Email is the best way to reach anyone in the office. Please click on the email link below and be sure to include the size of your event, date requested and location requested. Thank you.

Filming and Photography permits anywhere within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area including Alcatraz and any event with more than 5000 participants and the Alcatraz Overnight Program
Melinda Moses-(415) 561-4301 or e-mail us

Alcatraz Island events of any size and any event with more than 600 participants
George Durgerian-(415) 561-4302 or e-mail us

Ceremonies and any event with fewer than 600 participants anywhere within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and any outdoor permit for San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
James Sword-(415) 561-4373 or e-mail us

Picnics and Beach Fires 
James Marks-(415) 561-4374 or e-mail us 

Fort Mason Officer's Club now called the General's Residence
Managed by the Fort Mason Center  at (415) 345-7553 

Chief of the Office of Special Park Uses
Noémi Margaret Robinson -(415) 561-4371 or e-mail us

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

Permit applications, certificates of insurance, and correspondence to anyone in the Office of Special Park Uses may be faxed to (415) 561-4305. You may obtain a permit application by downloading it from this website, emailing or calling anyone above, or coming to Fort Mason.

The permit office is located on the San Francisco Bay in Fort Mason at the intersection of Bay and Franklin. Our office is in building 204 and permits may be sent to you by email, fax or picked up in either building 204 or next door in building 201. Building 201 is the park's headquarters and is generally accessible to persons with disabilities.

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.

As of October 1, 2011 some of our rates have changed. Please be sure that you are using the latest version of our rate sheet and our newest permit application forms.

Thank you for your interest in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, part of your National Park Service.