Like many other units of the National Park System, Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California is expected big crowds this holiday weekend.

The National Park Service would like to pass on these tips for a safe and enjoyable holiday:

Best Firework Viewing Locations

The fireworks are best viewed from near Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, where they are discharged. While Crissy Field and the Marin Headlands are popular locations to visit, they do not offer optimum viewing of fireworks.

Transportation--Use Public Transportation

Remember that this weekend will have some of the heaviest traffic of the year. The National Park Service urges visitors to plan ahead and use public transportation to get to the park's many sites. Take MUNI, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, PresidioGo or Marin Transit shuttle to avoid full parking lots (expected to fill early in the day.) For information on transit options go to http://www.511.org, http://www.transitandtrails.org, or http://www.smarturl.it/ShuttleService and follow links for transit providers, schedules and route maps.

The PresidiGo Shuttle Service will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule for Independence Day on Friday, July 3. Weekend/holiday service hours: Around the Park Shuttles – 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., every half hour, Downtown Shuttles – 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., every half-hour

MUNI 76 to the Marin Headlands will operate July 3th through July 5th throughout the Marin Headlands until approximately 6PM. There is a new Free Marin Headlands Shuttle that connects to the MUNI 76! This free weekend service will serve popular sites and trailheads throughout the Marin Headlands. You can catch it at Fort Baker, or any of the new parking lots in the Marin Headlands,several trails, the Visitor Center, the NIKE Site, Point Bonita Lighthouse, the beach, and the Marine Mammal Center. There will not be late service, so this is not for watching fireworks.

Traffic & Parking—Expect heavy traffic, full parking lots, and congestion

San Francisco— The new configuration of Doyle Drive has changed and reduced the ways to get to and from Crissy Field. Please plan ahead, have patience, or better yet, use transit! As in past years, areas and access roads will be closed to vehicle traffic for visitor safety and resource protection once there is no more parking capacity. Parking will be limited along the waterfront and Marina Boulevard, and roads are expected to be extremely congested along Crissy Field and East Beach, especially after the fireworks show. Please take your time and plan ahead. Parking at Fort Mason on Bay and Franklin is restricted to people with valid ADA parking plaques and people holding NPS issued permits- no public parking available.

Marin Headlands— Conzelman Road will changed to one-way traffic heading into the Marin Headlands starting late in the afternoon to accommodate special event parking along the road and maintain emergency access. The road will be closed when full. At the conclusion of the fireworks all vehicles will exit through the Baker / Barry Tunnel onto Alexander Avenue.

Fort Baker—Expected heavy congestion and delays. Parking is expected to fill early.

Other Activities on July 4th

• Visit the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, open 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., to discover the history of the area, check out the Nike Missile Site or Battery Townsley open houses. For information visit http://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm 

• The Marine Mammal Center is open 10 am. until 5 p.m. daily, where you can enjoy a one hour docent-led tour or the audio tour to see how the Center cares for seal and sea lion patients. 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Chronkhite, Sausalito. 415-289-7325 http://www.marinemammalcenter.org 

• Muir Woods National Monument - take the shuttle. The Monument is open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. For information visit http://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/index.htm. The Muir Woods shuttle runs July 3-5 and there is a new weekday 66F service that meets the Sausalito Ferry through August 16 for a complete car-free option from San Francisco. Visit the website for more information: http://www.marintransit.org/routes/66.html#dates

Do NOT Bring Fireworks

The use of personal fireworks is not allowed within any part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Ocean Beach. There are many reasons for this prohibition including public safety and the negative effects of fireworks on wildlife. Park Police and Park Rangers patrolling Golden Gate National Recreation Area will confiscate and issue citations for using fireworks.

Alcohol

Alcohol is prohibited on Ocean Beach.

Glass

Glass containers are prohibited on all beaches in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and at Fort Mason Meadow. It is a safety hazard and people have been hurt.

Garbage- (do bring garbage bags though)

Pack it In- Pack it Out!

Ocean Safety

With sunshine and warm temperatures predicted for the holiday, the water may look tempting. Beware of dangerous rip currents, cold water, and high waves at beaches. Stinson Beach is the park's only designated beach for ocean swimming and it will be very crowded over the weekend. Please do not swim at other beaches, including Ocean Beach and Baker Beach. In case of an emergency, call 911 or 415-561-5656.

Pet Safety

The Fourth of July is the number one holiday for pets to go missing across America. Make sure you take precautions to make sure your pets stay safe. Parties, loud noises, and a lot of extra people make this holiday difficult for pets. Make sure their tags are updated, keep a tight grip on their leash, and if your pet gets out, be sure to call the shelter, rescue, or foster home immediately for help – their connections might help you find your pet faster.