Update: What’s Open and What’s Closed in a Federal Government Shutdown

All destinations in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as well as Muir Woods and Alcatraz Island are now closed to visitors and about 3,500 federal workers who live in San Mateo County will be furloughed.

This includes Mori Point, Milagra Ridge, and Sweeney Ridge in Pacifica and Rancho Corral de Tierra from Pacifica through El Granada which are also operated by the National Park Service.

The shutdown is the first since 1996 and follows Congress's stalemate over a spending plan by October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year. The Republican-controlled House had attached a rider to the spending bill, saying it would only approve it if the implementation of Obamacare was delayed.

Sign-ups for President Barack Obama's signature healthcare plan start Tuesday and aren't directly tied to funding the government. But the program is extremely unpopular among many Republicans who want it repealed.

"Healthcare law is the most insidious law known to man," Republican Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana told CNN recently.

The shutdown will also impact the Environmental Protection Agency and NASA, although food inspectors will continue to do their job and the self-funded mail service will not be interrupted. 

But the bigger impact may be to the economy, with the shutdown estimated to cost $1 billion a week, chiefly from lost wages and reduced spending. The move could also cause disruptions in private-sector production and investments and lead to greater volatility in financial markets.

Read about other impacts below:

Original post 9/30/13:

With Congress in a stalemate over the budget, a federal government shutdown may begin Monday night that could close national parks, including popular tourist attractions in the Bay Area such as Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods, National Park Service spokeswoman Alexandra Picavet said.

The deadline for Congress to pass a budget is midnight eastern time, and if no agreement is reached by then, many government operations would grind to a halt.

All destinations in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as well as Fort Point and Muir Woods, would be closed to visitors, National Park Service spokeswoman Alexandra Picavet said.

Mori Point, Milagra Ridge, and Sweeney Ridge in Pacifica and Rancho Corral de Tierra from Pacifica through El Granada are also operated by the National Park Service.

Here's a list of others in the area from the National Park Service: 

• Fort Point National Historic Site
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
• Muir Woods National Monument
• Point Reyes National Seashore
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Presidio of San Francisco
• Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

The Bay Area's national parks draw about 17 million visitors per year, she said. If there is no deal reached, the gates will be shut.

What else can you expect during a government shutdown?

The postal service will deliver mail.

Federal courts will stay open for about 10 days before furloughs start interrupting normal business, according to NBC.

Air traffic controllers and airport screeners will remain at their posts.

Embassies and consulates around the world will stay open. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement will watch the borders and process Green Card applications.

While some civilian Pentagon bureaucrats will be furloughed, the 1.4 million active service military personnel will stay on duty. So will the Coast Guard.

Veterans will still be able to visit hospitals and receive their benefits, but some appeals for denied services may be postponed.

Food stamps will continue for a month, but WIC will close, according to CNN.

Medicare payments will be made.

NASA will keep mission control open. The National Weather Service will provide weather forecasts. However, in what could be a problematic consequence of a shutdown for Californians wanting to know the magnitude of a temblor, the United States Geological Survey will close.

You’ll still have to pay your federal taxes, but the IRS will put audits on hold.

Don’t see the government agency or program you’re looking for? Here’s a pretty comprehensive list from CNN.

Federal workers in San Mateo County

According to the Federal Office of Personnel Management, there were 3,672 federal workers in San Mateo County 2012.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.