Golden Gate Park

San Francisco's Giant City Park

Conservatory of Flowers - Golden Gate Park

This is a huge, safe, beautiful park with a lot to do. Here is a glimpse of the incredible breadth of activities available. Definitely worth a trip and very relaxing compared to the City's hub-bub...

Map of Golden Gate Park (click to enlarge):

Best Golden Gate Park Activities

From Best to Ehhh...

Boat Rentals at Stow Lake by: Toby Shepard

1. The Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park is like a trip to the rainforest filled with exotic flowers and orchids. Different climates from warm, to cooler, to aquatic give incredible flowers their beauty. Don't miss this historic and incredible "flower museum" at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

2. The de Young Museum of Art is an architectural wonder, rising from the damage of the 1989 earthquake. Filled with classic art, the world-class museum is a treat for all of your senses.

3. GG Park is one of the best places to bike and rollerblade. And the vile cars are banned EVERY SUNDAY from 5 am to 5 pm. Rent bikes or rollerblades and have a ball.

4. Strybing (Outdoor) Arboreteum has tons of beautiful plants from around the world. Possibly the best walk in an awesome park. Free admission - 661-1316.

de Young Museum of Art - Golden Gate Park

5. The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the park's coolest things but overrun with tourists. For about $3 you explore a beautiful Japanese Garden with streams and bridges-- very peaceful. You can buy tea and cookies and really relax. The oldest Japanese style garden in the U.S.A.

6. Rent a paddle boat, rowboat, or electric boat for the lazy at Stow Lake. 752-0347

7. The Children's Playground is a lot of fun for kids and has a 1912 carousel for Junior to ride.

8. The Tulip Gardens are next to a windmill circa 1902 on JFK Drive, also near Ocean Beach.

9. The Polo Field is a giant field where you can play soccer, frisbee, or football there.. or just catch some rays.

10. Pretend you're a rock star on stage at the Spreckels Temple of Music. On Sunday's (April-October), there are free concerts at 1 pm. A really cool theater and right near the museums. (666-7035)

11. The Beach Chalet and historic Cliff House Restaurant are great view restaurants near Ocean Beach. The Beach Chalet has many huge restored 1930's WPA-style murals. Visitor center (415-751-2766) open 9-6; restaurant has pretty good food and microwbrews. The Cliff House's sweeping views; ocean location; and modern dining make it a top destination for San Francisco visitors for decades...

12. Get dragged around on a walking tour -- you might learn something and it's free! May-October only 263-0991.

The park, located in the western area of the city includes several great museums, including a science museum, an art museum, a botanical garden, and an arboretum. San Francisco Aquarium is one of the city's most popular attractions located right in the park.

Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is beautiful also. Sunday is the best, when the park is CLOSED TO CARS and rollerbladers, bikers, and joggers abound. But the park is great any day. Rollerblades can be rented at Skates on Haight or at 6th & Fulton Street. Start your park tour @ 10th & Fulton near the museum area. An excellent attraction is the Japanese Tea garden with beautiful foilage. You can have tea and traditional Japanese crackers right in the tea garden. Costs about $3, but definitely worth it.

Golden Gate Park is bounded by the Sunset District neighborhood to the South, and the Richmond District neighborhood to the North. Both are classic SF residential neighborhoods where few tourists venture, but an easy ride in a San Francisco taxi. Your payoff for a trip might be an awesome Chinese or Thai restaurant -- check them out...