1 - Exploring the Coast...and Beyond

KIOSK DESCRIPTION: This kiosk has 2 panels side by side.

VIEW FROM WAYSIDE: Facing south west, you can see the path that cuts through a grassy field leading to three wayside panels 70 feet away. Also visible is the top portion of a rounded concrete structure poking out of the ground just before the waysides. In front and to the left of you are three picnic tables 30, 75 and 110 feet away, respectively. To the right is an open grassy field and across it, 75 feet away, another picnic table.

PANEL #1: Exploring the Coast...and Beyond

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: This panel features an aerial photo of a stretch of beach with part of the coastline forming a concave arc, like a half-circle. Part of the coast is low-lying beach, most is hilly terrain covered in lush, green plants. Further east is a depression that forms a valley. To the left of the photo are ocean waters that go from blue in deeper sections, to an aquamarine green next to the beach.

MAP DESCRIPTION: A map showing the lands north of the San Francisco Peninsula up to Healdsburg. Red lines represent state highways and interstates, and major cities and towns are labeled in black. Most of the map is an off-white, but a section on the western coast from the Marin Headlands north to Tomales Bay is represented in two shades of green. The darker green, which includes part of northern San Francisco and continues north to include areas east of Point Reyes National Seashore, represents Golden Gate National Recreation Area land. The lighter green, from Bolinas to Tomales Bay, represents other open land spaces.

TEXT: The Golden Gate National Recreation Area preserves a rich diversity of natural beauty and interesting history. Some of the Park's most breathtaking landscapes lie along the Marin coast. Hawks, terns, cormorants and many more winged species soar above rugged cliffs, sheltered valleys, redwood forest, rolling grasslands, chaparral, old military fortifications and other historic sites. You can explore the same terrain on the Park's many miles of trails.

TEXT: What to See and Do

LIST: 2 trails.

TRAIL #1: The Overlook Trail is a short walk along the cliff's edge to the breathtaking vista point. On clear days you can see south to San Francisco's Ocean Beach, north to Bolinas and Point Reyes, east to the peak of Mount Tamalpais, and west to the Farallon Islands.

TRAIL #2: The Owl Trail, named for the great horned owls that roost in the area's cypress trees, begin at the north end of the parking area. Approximately 1.5 miles long (one way), and mostly easy, the trail leads to a small rocky beach and tide pools where you might see crabs, anemones, and other sea creatures. Along the way, about a mile from here, you can see cows, goats, and other farm animals at Slide Ranch-a non-profit teaching farm. Beware that sections of the Owl Trail can be slippery, particularly the steep stretch above the beach.

TEXT: For more trail information contact the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at [phone]. Or visit our website at w w w . n p s . g o v / g o g a.

CAUTION: Please stay on designated trails-the cliffs are unstable, constantly eroding and dangerous to climb on.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: The railed path down to the overlook with green coastal scrub to either side in the top left corner. Below the photo of the railed path is one of a signposts for Owl Trail, which runs parallel along the coast.

TEXT: Wildflowers. Yellow bush lupine and other beautiful wildflowers color these bluffs and slopes in spring and summer. Please remember that everything is protected in a national park. Take pictures, not wildflowers.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photograph of yellow blossoms arranged vertically along stalks, nestled in the green grass.

TEXT: Whale watching. The Muir Beach Overlook is a great place to watch for grey whales migrating north in spring and south in fall and early winter.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photo of a grey whale breaking the surface of the water with its head. Its sleek, glossy skin glistens in the sun, reflecting off the water.

TEX: Picnicking. Pick a table out in the open and enjoy a panoramic view with your meal or take a table in the trees for a little shelter from the wind.

TEXT: Dog Walking. In national park areas where dogs are permitted, federal law (36 CFR Part 2) requires that dog owners observe leash requirements, keep your pets under control at all times, and pick up after your pets. For current information about areas open to dogs, visit www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/pets.htm, or call [phone].

TEXT: Beyond the Park.

LIST: Points North...And East

- Stinson Beach. A white sand beach 3.5 miles long, with lifeguards on duty during the summer, and plenty of picnic tables, make Stinson Beach popular in the summer.

o DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: Stinson Beach with a long, straight coastline and a white, sandy beach.
- Mount Tamalpais State Park. Approximately 80 miles of trails wind through the park's redwood and oak forests, passing many beautiful little waterfalls, up and around Mount Tamalpais (2,571 feet/784 meters), to the peak's incredible views of the Bay Area.

- Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes National Seashore includes 32,000 acres of coastal wilderness, featuring 70 miles of trails. This is another great place for hiking in diverse terrain, beach strolling, and whale watching. You also can visit the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse and a life-size copy of a Miwok Indian village at the Bear Valley Visitors Center.

- Wine Country. Sonoma and Napa Counties are renowned for vineyards and wineries. But there's plenty for the whole family to explore-Sonoma's town square where California's Bear Flag was first raised when Alta California was wrested from Mexican rule...the haunting ruins of writer Jack London's stone house in the woods...and much more.

LIST: Points South

- Muir Beach. Muir Beach is located just off Highway 1 about one mile south of here. You can enjoy a stroll on the beach or a hike up the trail at the southern end for sweeping views of the beach and coast.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photo of Muir Beach to the right. It appears to have a smaller coastline than Stinson, and steep rising cliffs on either side, covered in rocks and trees.
- Marin Headlands.
- Point Bonita Lighthouse. Located in the Marin Headlands about a half hour drive from here. Built in 1855 and relocated in 1877 to its current rocky perch high above the crashing surf, the Point Bonita Lighthouse is still active-and open weekends to visitors willing to walk the heart-stopping suspension footbridge.
- Battery Spencer. The army completed this gun battery in 1897 and used it until 1943, along with many others, to guard San Francisco's harbor entrance. Located on Conzulman Road just off Highway 101, the battery offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

LIST: Park Regulations.
- Camping is allowed only in designated areas by reservation. Fires are prohibited in backcountry areas.
- Emergency Information. In an emergency call [phone] or dial 911. You may also contact the Park Communications Center at [phone].
- General Park Information. Learn more about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at www.nps.gov/goga or call [phone].

PANEL #2: Muir Beach Overlook

TEXT: The grand sweep of the continent's edge-from the top of Mount Tamalpais to this bluff above the sea and out to the Farallon Islands-is a seamless span of interdependent plant and animal communities. Habitats converge, species from one habitat feed upon species from another. Dry land gives way to ocean, but the web of life is rich in complexity, crossing harsh boundaries.

QUOTE: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." - John Muir

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photo of the coastal view to the north from Muir Beach Overlook. Green, rolling hills with black rocks dotting the dark blue waters in front of them all the way north into the distance.

TEXT: While the grizzly bears that once roamed this landscape are gone, most of what you see looks as it did 10,000 years ago. This area is wonderfully preserved. Coyote brush and other vegetation provide cover and food to bobcats, monarch butterflies, and other mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. The tide pools at the water's edge and the deep waters teem with marine plants and animals, including migrating whales.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: An artist's colorful illustration of the northern coastline at Muir Beach Overlook teeming with life. A flock of brown pelicans fly westward over the ocean in the top left corner, while in the foreground a bobcat peers over hillside at a red, white black towhee bird perched above a cluster of whitish pink seaside daisies with yellow center. Coastal scrub plants half-hide an orange and black monarch butterfly in the bottom right corner, and behind it, a coyote steps out amongst green leaves. In the distance a black turkey vulture hovers over the cliff, while a red-tailed hawk soars upwards with the green hills that extend to the north.

TEXT: Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary supports 33 species of marine mammals, including half of California's harbor seal population. Countless fish, invertebrate, and plant species live in the sanctuary's waters. The Farallon Islands are home to the largest colony of seabirds in the lower 48 continental states.

TEXT: Cooperation between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which manages the sanctuary, and the National Park Service, has ensured stewardship that serves the sanctuary and park's interdependent communities.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A photo of several dark brown sea lions on a dark rock outcropping with grey ocean waters behind them. To the right of the first photo is a photo of a cormorant; a black bird with a long neck, webbed feet and a dark yellow beak perched on a rock near the surface of the water.

MAP: A map of the California coast from Point Reyes National Seashore to the north, down to the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed south of Sweeney Ridge. The map also shows both the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Labeled in the ocean waters are several protected water areas, including Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary to the north, off the coast of Point Reyes, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary along the lower half of Point Reyes down to just south of San Francisco. Furthest south, is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which includes waters that dip below the map.

TEXT: Peoples of the Coast. The Miwok people once hunted, fished, and gathered plant foods along this coast. In the 19th century, ranches were established by Spanish and Mexican colonists, and then by American settlers with roots from many parts of Europe-including Portuguese ranchers and fishermen who settled in this area.

Having survived successive waves of colonization, the Coast Miwok today, together with the southern Pomo people, make up the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Today, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area preserves thousands of acres of historic ranchland and historic sites.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: Men, women, and children dressed in work clothes standing facing the camera amidst cows and horses. Behind them are three large, white buildings. Most prominently is a white building with an A-frame roof.

CAPTION: Dairymen and their families, isolated from neighbors and from town, worked seven days a week, from before dawn to sunset.

TEXT: Did you know...

TEXT: John Muir was the driving force behind the concept of preserving wilderness areas as national parks. He swayed five American presidents with his passionate vision, including Theodore Roosevelt, who established five parks during his administration, (1901-1909), including Yosemite.

TEXT: In 1905, the redwood trees at nearby Muir Woods were threatened to be cut down for lumber. The land was purchased and preserved by Congressman William Kent, who encouraged President Theodore Roosevelt to create Muir Woods National Monument in 1908, naming the park after John Muir.

DESCRIPTION OF IMAGE: A black and white photo of two men wearing brimmed hats, waistcoats, ties and jackets posing for the camera. The man on the left is the taller of the two, clean-shaven and thin. To his right is a man with a long, white beard and pocket watch chain hanging from his breast pocket. They are William Kent and John Muir, respectively, standing outside the Muir Woods Inn in 1910.