Federal shutdown hits popular Bay Area parks: What’s closed

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The National Park Service is bracing for the impact of the federal government shutdown that began Wednesday, and that includes several popular tourist destinations in the Bay Area.

Within the NPS’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which spans from the North Bay and down the San Francisco Peninsula, park officials have confirmed closures of a number of facilities, roads and parking lots.

Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, which typically greets over 1 million visitors each year, is now closed. Parking lots for Stinson Beach and Muir Beach have also closed. In the Marin Headlands, the Rodeo Beach and Northwest Commuter parking lots remain open, however, closures are in place for Point Bonita Lighthouse, Nike Missile Site, Battery Townsley, Kirby Cove Day Use Area and the upper portion of Conzelman Road.

In San Francisco, Fort Point National Historic Site, a popular spot for tourists to soak up views of the Golden Gate Bridge, has also closed due to a lapse in federal funding. China Beach on the north side of Lands End is also closed. Closures are in place for several parking lots, including Baker Beach, Ocean Beach, Crissy Field East Beach, Langdon Court and Battery East. Fort Mason’s park headquarters are also closed.

Alcatraz Island is temporarily closed to visitors on Wednesday due to planned work not related to the shutdown. It is scheduled to reopen Thursday.

The access road and parking lot for Mori Point in Pacifica are no longer open amid the shutdown, park officials said.

A National Park Service memo said it will only have enough staff on hand for the “protection of life, property, and public health and safety.” A group of more than 40 former park superintendents is urging Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to close the parks during the shutdown.