Marta Lindsey, Author & Golden Gate Park Expert

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Marta's new book: a complete guide on Golden Gate Park, out March 2, 2026!

Golden Gate Park is one of the largest and most spectacular urban parks in the world. At last, there’s a definitive guidebook about the park written by Golden Gate Park expert Marta Lindsey with Nancy Botkin.

With 1,017 acres and more than 150 years of history, the park has many sides, stories, and secrets, plus world-class destinations and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re visiting the park for the first time or know it well, Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide will help you discover more than you ever expected.

Pre-order a signed, personalized copy now to get exclusive bonus content! Learn more at secretgoldengatepark.com.

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Awards and honors for Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure!

In 2021, Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure was a nominee in the 2021 Kids’ Book Choice Awards by the Children’s Book Council.

And it was an honoree in the 2021 California Reading Association’s
Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Awards!

Golden Gate Park A to Z art contest winners and online art gallery

This summer, more than 200 pieces of artwork celebrating Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary were submitted by kids and youth. Check out all the amazing submissions in the online gallery, plus the winners for each letter.

Watch an A to Z adventure with songs, stories, and surprises

To celebrate the launch of Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure, author Marta Lindsey and illustrator Michael Wertz put together a live adventure with lots of songs, stories, and silliness.

It was a fun and wild ride around the park for kids and adults, and if you missed it, you can watch a recording.

Check out the submissions from our A to Z collective art project!

Leading up to the launch of Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure, Michael Wertz and I asked kids and grownups to send in art featuring things they love about the park. We were absolutely delighted at what was sent in. THANK YOU to all the artists… and check out their submissions!

The wonderful response to this project led us to partner with the 150th Golden Gate Park anniversary to launch a six-week A to Z art contest. Get all the details and share your art!

Golden Gate Park A to Z collective art project & contest for all ages

Author Marta Lindsey and illustrator Michael Wertz are making a collective crowd-sourced “A to Z” art project with kids and grownups to celebrate all the things that didn’t make it into Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure.

So… what do you love about Golden Gate Park? Create a one-page piece of artwork!

Learn to draw a bison thanks to illustrator Michael Wertz (how-to video)

I adore the illustration that Michael Wertz did for “B” is for bison. Now you can learn to draw a bison, too, with the fun and informative video Michael made!

Golden Gate Park's 150th anniversary theme song

I couldn’t be luckier that the talented artist Michael Wertz illustrated Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure. Michael captures the spirit and beauty of Golden Gate Park in a timeless way.

Well, it turns out that Michael’s husband Andy Cowitt is a talented songwriter. So now, there is a Golden Gate Park 150th anniversary theme song! The song is hilarious and clever. Check it out and sing along!

Pre-order Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure from Green Apple Books and support local!

You can pre-order your copy (or copies!) right now from the wonderful independent bookstore Green Apple Books. They’ll ship the book straight to you, no matter what part of the country you’re in.

And… not only will you feel great supporting a local business during such a challenging time, all pre-ordered copies will be signed and personalized by me and illustrator Michael Wertz!

Get wonderstruck by gray whales – whale-watching season is here!

Gray whales are wonderfully predictable in their migration patterns, so if the weather is going to be clear, head to the ocean! Read my tips for whale-watching at Point Reyes National Seashore, or if you’re elsewhere in California, Oregon, or Washington, check out my guidance for spotting gray whales all along the Pacific coast.

Mother’s Day: a great time to spot gray whale mothers and calves

Although the peak of the northbound migration along the central coast of California was mid- to late-March, it’s not too late to see gray whales. In fact, mid-May is one of the best times.

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Tips for whale watching at Point Reyes National Seashore: gray whale season has begun!

Right now, thousands of gray whales are passing Point Reyes National Seashore on their way south to Baja, Mexico. In fact, mid-January is the peak of southbound gray whale traffic at Point Reyes.

As someone who’s logged a lot of hours in Point Reyes trying to spot gray whales, I want to share a few tips.

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Fun gray whale activities for kids

Whether you’re having an ocean-themed birthday party or want more ways to explore the journey of gray whales like Little Gray on your own, here are some fun activities for kids.

Three ways kids – and everyone – can help gray whales and our oceans

Whenever I talk with kids about gray whales, I always share with kids some ways they can directly help make things better for gray whales and the ocean. Check out this list of ideas and resources.

Where and when you can see gray whales

Gray whales are very predictable, which is great for us humans who want to see them! Here is a great map of the west coast to help you time your whale watching, plus some additional tips.

Q & A with Marta Lindsey on writing

Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions I get about my journey as a writer as well as how Little Gray's Great Migration became a book.

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Stores where you can find Little Gray's Great Migration on the shelves

Check out the initial booksellers, aquariums, and gift shops selling Little Gray’s Great Migration.

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