Special Park Use Permits

NOTE:

Additional information on specific special events can be found on their permit applications. If you are unable to download an application, we are happy to send you one via fax, email, or hard copy.

Types of Permits

GGNRA grants permits for special uses such as cultural programs, picnics, wedding ceremonies, festivals, athletic events, film and photography projects, etc. Click here for park maps.

When your application is under review, the Office of Special Park Uses will look at multiple criteria, including whether or not there is a meaningful association between the park and the event, and how the event contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park.

Information on this page is for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (including Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Fort Point, Crissy Field and Baker Beach) and San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. We do not issue permits for the Presidio Trust, state parks such as Mt. Tamalpias and Angel Island, San Francisco city parks such as Marina Green and Golden Gate Park, or the Fort Mason Center.

Alcatraz Overnight Application

• Applications are accepted in November only.
• Permit Specialist: Melinda Moses (information below)

Alcatraz Event Application

• No private events/tours are allowed during daytime hours or during evenings with scheduled public tours. (Aim to schedule for Tuesday or Wednesday night)
• No weddings are permitted on Alcatraz.
• Private events on Alcatraz must be conducted in historically appropriate areas.
• Permit Specialist: George Durgerian (information below)

Ash Scattering Permit Application

• Permit Specialist: James Sword (information below)

Beach Fires Permit Application

• Burning debris, including Christmas trees, anywhere in the GGNRA is not permitted.
• Only untreated wood may be burned.
• Beach fires are allowed only within fire rings at Ocean Beach and Muir Beach.
• Beach fire rings are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
• Fires are not permitted when a Spare the Air day/night has been issued.
• Beach fires with fewer than 25 people do not require a permit.
• Permit Specialist: James Marks (information below)

Event Permit Application

• All large events require a certificate of liability insurance. (information below)
• Athletic events with fewer than 30 people may not require a permit, confirm with Permit Specialist.
• Permit Specialist for events with fewer than 600 people: James Sword (information below)
• Permit Specialist for events with more than 600 people: George Durgerian (information below)
• Permit Specialist for events with more than 5000 people: Melinda Moses (information below)

Film and Photography Permit Application

• Individuals taking still photos in public areas without props, sets, or models do not require a permit.
• Permit Specialist: Melinda Moses (information below)

Large Film Permit Application

• All large filming projects require a certificate of liability insurance. (information below)
• Permit Specialist: Melinda Moses (information below)

Outdoor Ceremony Permit Application

• Permit Specialist: James Sword (information below)

Picnic Permit Application

• Picnics with fewer than 50 people may not require a permit.
• Any picnic with catering, or significant equipment will require a permit, regardless of size.
• Picnic tables are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
• Permit Specialist: James Marks (information below)

Temporary Food Event Permits (TFE)

• Temporary food events that are open to the public and involve 50 or more persons where food is sold or given away require a permit.

 

Project Review
If an event is unlike anything that has been held in the park before and/or there are other aspects of the event the park needs to consider, your application will be taken through Project Review. This is the opportunity for all departments (and sometimes the public as well) to ask questions before approving your event.

If your application needs to go through Project Review, the application fee is usually $1000 and is always due before Project Review can begin. Project Review takes at least three weeks, and the process does not guarantee that your event will get approved.

General Rules

• All advertising, branding, and signs on site must be approved by NPS prior to your event.
• Signs cannot be more than 30% advertising.
• Large events require at least one Park Ranger present during the event as well as during loading.
• Events in sensitive areas require special approval.
• Staking or accessing a hydrant takes extra time and money.
• You may not enter most areas closed to the general public.
• Any event over 200 people will be required to submit a parking and transit plan, and in the case of a Crissy Field event, you must also obtain a permit from the Presidio Trust.
• If you want to have a large event (1000 or more people) at Crissy Field, it will need to go through Project Review.
• We only allow 3 large events at Fort Mason each year.
• A date and location can be held up to one year in advance with an application and application fee.
• Not all events will be granted exclusive use of an area.
• Your event and your advertising materials must provide Universal Access.
• We require composting and recycling at all events. Green Event Guidelines
• Sound cannot exceed 85db.

Payment Information
The permit office cannot 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. Final payment cost will be determined after we receive your permit application. Below are the four types of fees you may need to pay.

Application fee: $50 to $1000. Due before your event is reserved on our calender. This is non-refundable and does not guarantee that you can have your event in the GGNRA.

Permit fee: $175 to $10,000. Your application fee goes towards this cost.

Management fee: $90/hour with a four (4) hour minimum. This covers Park Ranger or US Park Police time.

Misc./Other fees: Other fees not covered by the above three categories. (ie: Commercial Use Authorization, Temporary Food Event Permit)

For more specific pricing estimates on events (large and small):
Cost Recovery Definitions
Permit Cost Schedule

Insurance Information
Large events and film projects require a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars.
Three parties must be named as additionally insured:

• United States Government
• National Park Service
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The form should include this address under "Certificate Holder":

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Office of Special Park Uses
Building 204, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Contact Information
Please understand that we write over 1,000 permits per year, and are usually quite busy. Filling out the application form and sending it in is the fastest way to begin planning your event. Permit applications, certificates of insurance, and correspondence to anyone in the Office of Special Park Uses may be faxed to [phone]. The Office of Special Park Uses is located on the San Francisco Bay in Fort Mason at the intersection of Bay and Franklin. You may pick up your permits at our office in building 204. Additionally, you may pick up permits in building 201 next door or we can e-mail or fax them to you.

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 be sure to include the size of your event, date and location in your email.

James Sword e-mail James Sword [phone]	Melinda Moses e-mail Melinda Moses [phone]
George Durgerian e-mail George Durgerian [phone]	James Marks e-mail James Marks [phone]

Individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have speech disabilities may utilize the following Federal Relay Service Numbers:

[phone] Federal Relay Service
[phone] VCO
[phone] Speech to Speech
[phone] Spanish
[phone] TeleBraille

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