Looking for a day trip outside of San Francisco? Just on the other side of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge is the north part of Golden Gate Recreational Area. This group of parks includes the area north of the Golden Gate and the southern end in San Mateo County, as well as Alcatraz, and Point Lobos. This park at the opening of the San Francisco Bay is rich in wildlife, things to do and history.

The Point Bonita Lighthouse is a nice half mile hike along the rocky cliff coastline. Along the walk, you can see seals lounging on the rocks below in the sun. Getting to the Lighthouse is not for the claustrophobic or people with a fear of heights -you must go through a tunnel and across an old suspension bridge, where only two people can be on it at once because of the cold blasting winds from the coast. Once on the other side however, the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the ocean, as well as providing information on its role in the safety of ships entering the dangerous San Francisco Bay, where over one hundred and forty ships have sank on the rocky coastline.

Throughout the park, you can explore the World War Two defense structures, such as base-end stations, that were built into the side of the hills overlooking the ocean. These structures were made as lookouts and for defense in case of an invasion. With the invention of radar and new airplanes, they were abandoned before completion. In addition to the concrete structures, you can visit Fort Cronkhite, one of the World War II military bases that is still standing today.

Other things to do include whale watching off the coast, hiking or driving through the gorgeous Muir Woods Redwood forest.