President Richard Nixon, a native Californian, promoted an idea in 1972 to turn an iconic stretch of California’s coastline into a national park.

It would include the headlands around the Golden Gate and two nearby islands.

One was Angel Island, and the other was Alcatraz—where a federal prison had been permanently closed nine years earlier.

On Feb. 8, 1972, Nixon sent a message to Congress. “I propose legislation to establish a Golden Gate National Recreation Area in and around San Francisco Bay,” he said. “Altogether, the area would encompass some 24,000 acres of fine beaches, rugged coasts, and readily accessible urban parklands, extending approximately 30 miles along some of America’s most beautiful coastline north and south of Golden Gate Bridge.”

“Angel and Alcatraz Islands in the bay would be within the boundaries of the National Recreation Area,” said Nixon.

A bipartisan pair of congressmen co-sponsored the legislation to create it. One was Republican Rep. William Mailliard, who grew up on Belvedere Island in Marin County—just north of the Golden Gate—and whose congressional district included parts of Marin and the western side of San Francisco. The other was Democrat Rep. Phil Burton, who represented the eastern side of San Francisco.

Nixon visited San Francisco on Sept. 5, 1972, to promote the bill.

“President Nixon brought the power and prestige of his office here Tuesday to push for........

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