New fees considered for some national park sites in SF, Marin

The new proposed rate for each batch is $ 3 per hour with a daily maximum of $ 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visitors arriving by car outside of these hours will not be charged for parking. According to the National Park Service, the fee would bring rates in line with lots in other public lands and urban areas managed by the agency.

The agency will also consider charging for an after-hours visit to the Point Bonita Lighthouse, with adults 16 and over paying $ 16, seniors paying $ 8, and children 7-15 paying $ 10.

The proposal comes after the agency added or increased fees for camping in Marin Headlands and parking at four San Francisco Presidio lots, and required customers to book tickets for an overnight visit to the national historic site. from Fort Point.

The national parks service said in a press release that the proposed additional charges were due to a “dramatic increase in visits” during the pandemic and would help reduce “high costs associated with critical park operations”. The park withholds 80% of the fee, which helps pay for sanitation services, traffic control for busy weekends, and repair of park signs.

The fee will also be used for “essential visitor protection services,” such as the replacement of the rescue tower at Stinson Beach and the removal of sand at Ocean Beach for emergency vehicle access.

If approved, the parking fee would be phased in over several years and implementation could begin as early as mid to late 2022. Fees for the after-hours lighthouse tour would start early next year. Public comments can be emailed to [email protected] or by phone at 415-561-4700.

Kellie Hwang and Sarah Ravani are the editors of the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected], [email protected] Twitter: @KellieHwang, @SarRavani