A Visitor's Guide toGolden Gate Park
Discover the best things to do in one of San Francisco’s most beautiful, innovative, and interesting locations: Golden Gate Park.
Millions of visitors each year experience Golden Gate Park's miles of green lawns, bridle paths, lakes, and 7,000 kinds of plants right in the heart of San Francisco. Enjoy varied attractions, from top museums to exquisite gardens and extraordinary events. Check out the guide below to learn all about it.
Please Note: It's best to contact the Park's attractions, festivals, and vendors directly to confirm their hours and availability.
The History of Golden Gate Park
Much as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was deemed "The Bridge That Couldn't Be Built", the 1,000+ acres of terrain once known as the "Outside Lands" wasn't a promising sight for a park. In 1871, field engineer William Hammond Hill and master gardener John McLaren carved out an urban oasis later named Golden Gate Park.
Today, the park is home to some of San Francisco's most-visited attractions, including the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences.
Top Attractions
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr.
A four-story living rainforest and awe-inspiring coral reef ecosystem will delight visitors of all ages, while immersive planetarium shows will transport audiences through space and time for a new perspective on our planet. Dynamic daily programs, from penguin feedings to coral reef dives, offer a wealth of opportunities to dive deeper. In addition to general admission tickets, the Academy offers a variety of opportunities to enhance any visit, including daily Behind-the-Scenes Tours, weekly NightLife events and NightLife VIP Tours (ages 21+), and Penguins and Pajamas sleepovers. The museum is also available for special events for up to 3,000 guests. Let the wonder begin!
The de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.
Founded in 1895, the de Young museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and a cherished destination for millions of residents and visitors for more than 125 years. The de Young showcases an extraordinary permanent collection of American art from the 17th through 21st centuries, modern and contemporary art, photography, international textiles and costumes, and art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The ninth-floor Observation Level of the de Young's Hamon Tower, free to everyone, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.
The Gardens of Golden Gate Park
Within the park are three separate gardens, each with their own collection of gorgeous plants and beautiful architecture. You can buy tickets to visit them individually or purchase a three-day multi-pass to explore all three during your stay.
The Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F. Kennedy Dr.
This historic landmark in Golden Gate Park has housed rare tropical flowers and plants from around the world since 1879, making it the oldest building in the park. The Conservatory of Flowers aims to transport all who enter the Victorian doors to a faraway place. Immerse yourself in their five distinct galleries, each focusing on a different ecosystem, ranging from the dense tropical rainforests of Sumatra to the cloud forests of Ecuador and beyond. There is also innovative community programming like Night Bloom that showcases the Conservatory in a new light!
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.
Constructed in 1893 for the California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden is graced with torii (gates), pagodas, a moon bridge and a 1.5-ton Buddha. The garden comprises rock sculptures, “dry” or zen gardens, Japanese architectural structures, and waterfalls. There is a thoughtful design throughout, and the cultural influences are everywhere, from edges trimmed to resemble Mt. Fuji in Japan to the Drum Bridge almost floating over reflective waters below.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 Ninth Ave.
The San Francisco Botanical Garden's 55 acres are home to nearly 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. With San Francisco’s famous fog and mild climate, the Garden enjoys a range of climatic conditions that exists in few other botanical gardens in the world, allowing it to grow and conserve a highly diverse and critically important botanical collection. This garden is a beautiful, calm oasis.
Golden Gate Park's Hidden Treasures
Travel deeper into the park and you'll find some surprising and enchanting sights, from a hilly island in a placid lake to towering Dutch windmills and even a herd of bison!
ExploreAnnual Events
Bay to Breakers
San Francisco's celebrated 12K race returns every May. Throw on a costume and be part of the race, or be one of the tens of thousands of folks watching from the sidelines. Either way, you're in for a real treat. The Bay to Breakers race runs west through the city and finishes along Ocean Beach. Participants run along iconic streets and hills and through Golden Gate Park before reaching the finish line.
Flower Piano
Every summer, twelve pianos are nestled throughout the San Francisco Botanical Garden for anyone to play. Special events for families include Flower Piano at sunset, a community sing-along, free piano lessons, and three evenings of Flower Piano At Night. Watch, listen or play during this highly anticipated event.
Outside Lands
Outside Lands is one of the country’s most popular music and arts festivals. The festival is usually held at the beginning of August. Past artists who have performed at the festival include Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder and many others.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
A San Francisco and Golden Gate Park tradition since 2001, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a free music festival held during the first weekend of October. This is a truly special outdoor event to experience during San Francisco’s best weather.
See Golden Gate Park by Bike
Save time in your exploration of the park by doing it on two wheels! With Parkwide Rentals & Tours, you can pick a rental at Fisherman's Wharf and pedal your way to Golden Gate Park. With options for two or four-seater cars, peddling around means teamwork.
Rent A BikeWhere to Eat In or Near Golden Gate Park
If you've worked up an appetite venturing through Golden Gate Park, there are many places to eat nearby.
Within the park you can stroll over to the café at Blue Heron Lake Boathouse, which offers a variety of healthy foods, coffee, and beverages. Don't forget to treat yourself to some pink popcorn, a Blue Heron Lake classic.
Located in the Inner Sunset neighborhood, Pacific Catch Restaurant (1200 Ninth Ave.) offers fresh seafood just steps from the San Francisco Botanical Garden and California Academy of Sciences. You can also explore the many restaurants found along Irving Street, which is just a block away from the Park's entrance.
If you're on the western side of Golden Gate Park near Ocean Beach, Beach Chalet (1000 Great Hwy.) serves a variety of delicious meats and seafood, as well as some of the best ocean views.
On the eastern side of the park near the Conservatory of Flowers, you can walk to Velo Rouge Cafe (798 Arguello Blvd.), best known for their sweet and savory bites and sandwiches.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay near Golden Gate Park, you're in luck. There are several great hotels, hostels, vacation homes, and bed and breakfasts located near the park.
Find a Place to Stay Near Golden Gate Park
Getting There
Car
Limited free parking is available throughout the park, and there is a parking garage near the Music Concourse with varying prices. The entrance to the garage can be found at 10th Avenue and Fulton Street.
JFK Drive is closed to vehicle traffic on the eastern side of the park, further limiting parking spaces.
Public Transportation
Various Muni bus lines run along and through the park. The 5 and 5R buses make numerous stops along Fulton Street on the north side of the park. The Muni Metro N Line travels south of the park, stopping throughout the Sunset neighborhood along Irving and Judah streets.
Bike
There are various access points throughout the park for cyclists. Park roads feature safe, bike-friendly lanes.
Accessible Experiences in Golden Gate Park
Much of Golden Gate Park's eastern half can be easily enjoyed by travelers who use wheelchairs or adaptive bicycles.
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