Golden Gate is a park rich enough to support 19 distinct ecosystems with more than 2,000 plant and animal species, and it offers hiking, vistas, picnicking, and opportunities to learn about centuries of overlapping history shaped by California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, U.S. military expansion, and the growth of San Francisco. Winter brings sporadic rain and cool weather punctuated by brilliant sunshine, when the grass greens. Trees and flowers dormant through winter begin blooming in late February or early March and continue until May or June. By July, summer fog predominates in most coastal areas of the park. Grasses and plants then turn to the golden brown and muted grays characteristic of California summer and fall, while September and October bring clear skies and abundant sunshine throughout the park.