Golden Gate Park

Park · Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park

Park · Golden Gate Park

3

San Francisco, CA, USA

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Golden Gate Park by MONOCLE
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Golden Gate Park by null
Golden Gate Park by null
Golden Gate Park by null
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Golden Gate Park by null
Golden Gate Park by null
Golden Gate Park by null
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Golden Gate Park by null
Golden Gate Park by null

Highlights

1,017-acre park with gardens, museums, lakes, trails & bison  

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San Francisco, CA, USA Get directions

sfrecpark.org

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San Francisco, CA, USA Get directions

+1 415 831 2700
sfrecpark.org

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Sep 5, 2025

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@eater

James Beard Award-Winning Oakland Bar and Restaurant Understory Is Closing - Eater SF

"Formerly known as the Beer and Wine Garden, the Whale’s Tail is a new summer-only cocktail bar located off the JFK Promenade. It will offer brunch cocktails and food trucks, and is set to open from noon to 6 p.m. at the 14th Avenue East Meadow starting Memorial Day weekend." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2024/5/24/24164064/understory-closing-oakland-bar-restaurant
View Postcard for Golden Gate Park
@afar

"Golden Gate Park was formed out of an expanse of sand dunes to the west of the city in the nineteenth century—a history that is still discernible in the rolling topography of much of the park’s more than 1,000 acres. Over 13 million people visit the array of gardens, lakes, trails, museums, and monuments each year. Some of the most popular attractions are clustered to the east, including the de Young art museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Garden. A little farther on is Stow Lake, the largest body of water in the park and a good spot for boating and strolling. Just past Spreckels Lake is a bizarre sight: a herd of American bison. Generations of these iconic beasts have been kept in the park since 1892; they mostly stand around the paddock like idling, hairy bulldozers. Children enjoy seeing the Dutch Windmill at the west edge; they may not be so fussed about the nearby Tulip Garden, but they’ll like the waterfowl pond in the Botanical Garden and the carnivorous plants in the Conservatory of Flowers. There are three playgrounds, too; the Koret contains a colorful working carousel from 1914. Active visitors can tour the park by Segway or check out the golf course, the disc golf course, or the archery field. Festivals take place throughout the year, and the Music Concourse hosts free concerts on Sundays in the summer. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

The Best Things to Do in San Francisco
View Postcard for Golden Gate Park
@monocle

"With some 24 million visitors each year, this is the third most visited park in the US. The crown jewel among the city’s 220 public green spaces, it was founded in 1871 by engineer William Hammond Hall and master gardener John McLaren. Beyond the regular trees, plants and streets of a park, the features here range from the California Academy of Science and Dutch windmills to an archery field and summer festivals. Tour the area by foot, bike or rollerblade."

San Francisco
View Postcard for Golden Gate Park

Florian Jacquin

Google
Golden Gate Park is such a beautiful and peaceful escape from the city. I didn’t expect it to be this big — you can easily spend hours just wandering around and still not see it all. We walked through the gardens, relaxed by Stow Lake, and enjoyed the calm atmosphere. There’s a great mix of nature, open space, and little surprises throughout the park. It’s the kind of place where you can take it slow, have a picnic, or just enjoy the greenery and peaceful vibes. Highly recommend if you need a break from the city buzz without actually leaving San Francisco.

Royce Gonzales

Google
One of the most amazing spaces in SF, the rolling greenery of the park makes you forget you're in the middle of a bustling major metro area. The old growth and preserved woods transport you to a different place. The lush quiet and shade around the great trees inspires cathedral like reverence.

Ehsan Baloch

Google
Golden Gate Park is massive and full of hidden gems. I loved the peaceful gardens, the scenic walking paths, and the fresh air. Perfect for a morning jog or just relaxing with friends. Weekdays are less crowded, so it’s more enjoyable.

Tyra Valverde

Google
Wow! I wish I had came more prepared to this beautiful park! Been in the bay my whole life and it was my first time here and it blew my mind. We were just casually walking through and they were playing music and dancing! Unfortunately the gardens that they have cost a bit but next time we will come more prepared to walk through the gardens. Even without money, the whole park is beautiful and is worth hiking through.

Robert Vida

Google
Holy cow, such a big and beautiful city park with so much to do and see in it. Plenty of meadows and picnic areas to enjoy, a lot of trails to walk with so many plants and flowers that you'd think the park was the botanical garden but actually that's just a part of the park that's also very much worth visiting.

Virginie Wong

Google
What a wonderful park. I always love coming here and discovering new displays such as the whale and dragon! Even the water buffalo was a delightful discovery. So fun.

Estela Lee

Google
Golden Gate Park is huge—there’s no way to see it all in just one day! I wish I had more time. There’s so much to explore here, from museums to gardens to quiet trails. If you’re visiting, plan to come back over a couple of days. It’s amazing that San Francisco has such a vast, beautiful park right in the city!

Jonathan Phan

Google
Golden Gate Park is a sprawling, 1,017-acre green space that offers a remarkable blend of nature, culture, and recreation right in the heart of San Francisco. From lakes and redwood groves to museums and music venues, the park is designed for both quiet reflection and active exploration. Popular spots like the Japanese Tea Garden, California Academy of Sciences, and de Young Museum are clustered near the Music Concourse, while further west you’ll find Stow Lake, Dutch Windmill, and even a bison paddock. The free shuttle and bike-friendly paths make it easy to navigate, and the layout encourages both short visits and full-day adventures. What makes the park stand out is its versatility—whether you're walking the JFK Promenade, picnicking at Hellman Hollow, or catching a free concert at the Bandshell, there’s always something to discover. Seasonal blooms, art installations, and community events add layers of charm throughout the year. Despite its popularity, the park maintains a peaceful vibe, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s a must-visit for locals and travelers alike, offering a rare mix of urban accessibility and natural immersion.
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Alexis V.

Yelp
perhaps my most memorable place during my time in San Francisco. I absolutely have so much love for this city, and especially this part. spent my last day to go through the entire park and check off everything on my bucket list from run routes to vendors to museums to so much more. I never went on the rowboats until the very last minute before my flight because my friend, Brandon, and I randomly stumbled upon it. Golden Gate Park is just that big in a small city like San Francisco! I never knew of this section because it was so hidden... it was not too expensive as it was about $15 per person for like 2 hours. the river takes you around the falls and to the japense tea garden as well as other beautiful greenery that makes sense you appreciate the serenity of Golden Gate Park. there is one specific tree bark that looked like the shape of an animal that freaked me out, so watch out for jumpscares lol. oh! and if you decide to also go on the rowboat, bring a speaker for a more enjoyable ride through the mellow water. especially nice when you get to see the baby duckies because they will just follow the music as you row away. I could go on about this place, but I might cry. really thankful for my time in ROTC because our mandatory morning PT runs just made me fall in love hard with the city. I left my heart in San Francisco, and I cannot wait to go back.
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David G.

Yelp
I am a proud fourth generation San Francisco. And I truly love Golden Gate Park for all its quirky, unique places. It seems to get better and better, but maintains all the traditions of the bygone years Sunday is always a treat to watch the rollers, skaters, the Lindy Hop dancers and all the other unique people walking around Perfect for a bike ride a jog or just visiting the Steinhardt aquarium the Museum or the Concourse bandstand Nice little rose garden too You can seriously spend a full day exploring from the Haight to the Beach
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Yan W.

Yelp
We haven't been to the Golden Gate Park for years. It's an amazing and huge park to explore. This iconic park has 1,017 acres with lakes and meadows and also include California Academy Of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, Koret Children's Quarter and Carousel, Music Concourse, Portals of the Past, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Windmills, etc. It was a bit cloudy on Tuesday morning coz we got there early at around 9:30 a.m. Plenty of parking spaces were available. We parked in the parking garage near the California Academy of Sciences. The underground parking garage was huge so make sure you know where you park! We only went to the Japanese Tea Garden. We beat the crowd that day and it didn't have too many people.
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Susan B.

Yelp
A huge park. Only explored tiny parts of the park. Still has more to explore next time. The parts that I have checked out, they were nice but there were tons of animal poops on the grounds. So instead of looking forward and stroll, I looked down to make sure I'm not stepping on poops lol.
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William G.

Yelp
I started the day wanting to visit this park. It was a very cool morning with an even cooler breeze. Unfortunately, my Uber driver left me in the middle of the park and I had no idea where to go. The park is a massive 1000 acres big. Well I heard that there are free shuttle buses running throughout the park. After walking for a while I finally found a shuttle stop only to realize the first one doesn't start operating for another 25 minutes?!? I had no choice but to start walking toward the direction where buildings are supposed to be. I did say that it was cold. By sheer luck the first operating bus for the morning spotted me and stopped (Thank God!). The driver was very nice and dropped me off by the DeYoung Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and Japanese Tea Garden area. I went into the DeYoung Museum to warm up and to go up to their free observation area. The ultra-modern building is beautiful as were the views. Afterwards, I headed over the small Japanese Tea Garden area which was very nice and worth a visit. Then, I jumped on the free shuttle again and headed over to the beautiful conservatory of flowers. Unfortunately, I never made it to the far west end where I heard the views of the Pacific are beautiful. But the park is quite beautiful and locals that live nearby were definitely making the most of their proximity to bike or jog. This park is a definite must visit if your in SF. This is one of those large open public spaces that great for enjoying the great outdoors.
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Eric D.

Yelp
What a beautiful unique and treasure of a green space. The park is massive! There's so much to see and enjoy here for free and at a cost. I was disappointed to find the tea gardens and botanical garden had a cost but it makes sense I guess. Lots of place to enjoy the outdoors with beautiful plantings and things to see. The rose gardens and red woods were my favorite! A must do when visiting San Francisco!
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Lilian W.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is one of my favorite places to visit in San Francisco. There's plenty to see and do, from exploring museums like the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum to strolling through its many gardens and scenic areas. They're both free and paid activities for all ages. Most places within the park are walkable, but they also offer shuttle services for convenience. My personal favorite spots are the Japanese Tea Garden and Blue Heron Lake, which is great for birdwatching. However, the Rose Garden during winter isn't worth visiting--it looks pretty bare and somewhat depressing without flowers or leaves. The park is massive, so it's best to plan ahead to make the most of your visit. One downside is the lack of food options--besides a few overpriced hot dog stands, there aren't many restaurants or food vendors around.
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Jo W.

Yelp
A giant, gorgeous park and a definite gem of San Francisco. It's the Central Park of the West Coast, except it's not as public transportation-accessible as Central Park. Notwithstanding NYC comparisons, there's just so much to explore in Golden Gate Park that there's no way to see it all in a day. Some of my favorite places to visit over the years include: Deyoung Museum California Academy of Science Conservatory of Flowers Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco Botanical Garden Queen Wilhelmina Garden Chinese Pavilion at Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake) Even just walking around and admiring the natural scenery throughout the year (the cherry blossoms in the spring is one of my favorite times!) is so relaxing and beautiful.
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Karina C.

Yelp
If you're in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park is an absolute must-see. You can get an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge up close perfect for photos! There are plenty of cozy spots nearby to grab a great coffee, pick up a few souvenirs, and even dive into the fascinating history of the bridge. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this iconic park offers the perfect mix of nature, culture, and unforgettable sights.
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John D.

Yelp
Shot in the Park 1,017-acre park located in the heart of San Francisco and is currently in the lead for USA Today's "Best City Park" award (https://shorturl.at/tB86D)--and for plenty of good reasons! It's hard to describe Golden Gate Park to someone who's never been, as it's not just fields and meadows like a normal city park. GGP is more of a cultural epicenter that has pretty much all one needs and more when visiting a city. The Good: *Free to visit the park (note that some of the gardens and museums require entrance fees) *Street parking only, but there is a parking garage for de Young & CA Academy visitors. *Not one, not two--but five botanical gardens: Shakespeare Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, Queen Wilhelmina Garden, and Conservatory Valley *Windmill @ the Queen Wilhelmina Garden *Buffalo!! Yes, you read that right. *de Young Art Museum *Fishing *Multiple small lakes *CA Academy of Sciences *Park is extremely walkable from venue to venue--which is good because you're not gonna want to give up that parking spot once you've secured it. *Food and drink trucks parked along the JFK *Lots of great restaurants in the surrounding vicinity that you can easily walk to. The Meh: *Multiple restrooms around the park, but cleanliness might vary *A few Local Outdoor Enthusiasts™ lurking, but it's not as bad as you'd think. The Ugly: *As with anything, the bippers are for real, so don't be stupid and leave anything valuable in eyesight or be prepared to be relieved of it. Conclusion: Amazing park with lots of history and fun things to see. If you're visiting SF, I'd highly recommend blocking out at least one whole day to check out the GGP. Two if you really want to get the whole experience.
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Chris R.

Yelp
Love this part me and my girlfriend went to Harley strictly bluegrass for our first time. There were a lot of people we tried a lot of very of different desserts such as Marley's treats we tried the Ube flan cheesecake
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LORENA L.

Yelp
On my last day of my Bay Getaway, I left Tiburon early to get back to SFO to return the rental car and give myself enough time to make my flight back to LA. I was already in the City when I got the text from the airline informing me that my flight had been delayed to 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.?!?!?! WHAT? Since I was in the area, I had to pivot and decided to go to Golden Gate Park and kill time - I was so glad I did. I'd been to Golden Gate Park in the past but have always either had cold or rainy weather. Not this time: it was sunny, breezy and a perfect 72 degrees. Perfect park weather and I had the best day EVER! The park is so big, there are so many things to see - I took advantage and did as many things as I could. I went to Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young Museum and saw the Paul McCartney Photograph and Matisse's Jazz Unbound Exhibits - both of which were spectacular, the Japanese Tea Garden, the Botanical Gardens, Oak Woodlands Natural Area which was just stunning and California Academy of Sciences which was incredible. I saw the vintage carousel (gorgeous) - I could have spent days there. I was like an excited kid - I walked everywhere by myself taking in all of the sights, sounds and the beauty of the park. When I got hungry, I walked a couple of blocks out of the park, found a deli, ordered lunch, took it back to the Park and ate under a big beautiful tree and people watched. Stopping here was not on my itinerary, but turned out to be the best part of my trip - I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. What a gift to have spent the day here and an incredible way to end my Bay Getaway and start the Fourth of July week on such a good note. If you come to San Francisco, make the time and go visit Golden Gate Park - there is so much to explore, see and take in.
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Steve A.

Yelp
Having enough time for seeing everything in this park is hard. It has so much to check out that it's pretty much to be honest impossible. Golden Gate Park covers so much ground that you have to give yourself a few days to see it all. Make sure you get to visit a couple of the famous museums. There's also a lot of beauty including some famous and crowded ass lakes and other places for boating and things. Basically this is like San Francisco's version of Central Park, except it's bigger. It's got such a shit ton to see that you need a few visits to see all of what it's got. This is kind of hard to know where to start, but you may want to start at the world famous museums. A City Pass helps to save money and visit a few. For natural history go to the California Academy of Sciences. Known for the aquarium and the rainforest exhibits among other things. Has a pretty big collection of bones and other creatures from long ago. There's still lots more to see. For art go to the De Young Museum. There's art from the 1800s on forward including local artists, so that's cool to check out and support. Gatherings are pretty common in here. It's crowded like every weekend for concerts and those sorts of things. There's other parts of the park though that aren't as crowded and you can enjoy the natural environment or whatever.
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Dianna B.

Yelp
A gorgeous location dedicated to the creation of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are so many beautiful places to take photos, to explore and to learn about the making modern marvel.
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Ashley F.

Yelp
This is a one of a kind park indeed! I didn't realize how large this park actually was until I pulled it up on google. We came here initially to get a good view of the bridge and we did get to experience that and had a great time! We also got to check out the incredibly beautiful Japanese Tea Garden too and wow. I genuinely cannot even begin to describe the beauty here. We took an uber here initially and then caught a bus to the gardens and that was a super easy and quick ride. We walked through the park from the street to get to the garden and on the way we saw a lot of beautiful trees and even a herb garden. We probably could have spent all day here!
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Rachelle P.

Yelp
I would HIGHLY recommend this fantastic park, you could easily spend the whole day here! Visit our country's oldest playground, Koret Children's Quarter and grab a slab of cardboard to slide down their huge concrete slides! When you're done, hop on their vintage carousel for just $1 for kids and $2 for adults! If you're looking for some great date spots with your sweetheart, visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden or Japanese Tea Garden and then peddle boat at Blue Heron Lake! And if you love checking out historic landmarks like I do, there are several here!! We'll definitely be back to explore more, we are especially excited to take our kids to the California Academy of Sciences!! SYOY! :-)
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Yvonne R.

Yelp
My husband and I had the most fabulous day strolling around Golden Gate for my birthday. It was a beautiful and very memorable day.
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Neema B.

Yelp
This is such a cool park. I really wished I could have brought picnic supplies, spent a day here relaxing and then hopped on a bike to see the scenery. Golden Gate Park is humongous. We drove forever on the main road along this park, entrance after entrance, mile after mile. One of the entrances had this really cool 'No Dancing' sign that I wanted to take a picture in front of; I didn't know it existed until our Uber driver went past, so I thought I'd walk back and take a picture when we got dropped off, but we drove so far from that point to the entrance he dropped us off at that there was no way I was walking back to get that picture. That's how huge this park is! We literally would have needed a bike, scooter or Uber to get back there in a reasonable amount of time. I love how it's typical in SF to chill out on a sunny day, enjoying nature and people. This is the perfect place to do it too. We saw babbling brooks, pretty plants, and tons of cars!! There were so many people, but this park is literally so big no one is on top of one another. A must see for anyone visiting SF. Also, contrary to what I believed, Golden Gate Park is not close to Golden Gate Bridge. Not if you'd like to walk there in under an hour anyway. For most people it's a longer hike and around 3 miles. Time wasn't on our side so although I would have loved the challenge and wellness aspect of the walk, we opted for a ride between the two.
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Deshika B.

Yelp
We had an absolute blast visiting this park! I grew up nearby, so bringing my bf somewhere I spent a lot of time in my younger years was so awesome. We took a Lyft to the park, hopped on some bikes, and rode a few miles. Once we reached the rose garden, we left the bikes and walked for the next 2 hours. Exploring the manicured trails, sitting on the benches, and watching people work out. There were a few events going on, and we were able to see live music, watch folks working out, and admire the recently installed art sculptures. Everyone we encountered in this park were soooo nice, and we were also able to learn about the various trees and other plants from one of the gardeners. All in all it was a wonderful visit, and I cannot wait to return.
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Jessica T.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park feels like air to me. It is profoundly special and not of this world. The trees speak. Reaching to the sky with a unique boldness - majestic, burled, and full of secrets. When I am here - I am at home...and transported. Life feels so abundant in Golden Gate Park's gaze. The sun kisses you differently. The sky - more expansive. The ground cradles you - as you close your eyes. Gently. And listen to the park sing in unison with the beating of your heart. Trust.
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Dale S.

Yelp
There are so many things to do and see at Golden Gate Park. I have been here a dozen times and still have not done them all. Being frugal, I love all the free things to do like stopping by the Bison Paddock or taking a stroll around Stowe Lake. You can see waterfalls, gorgeous flowers, ducks, turtles and bunnies and more. There are also tons of open areas to enjoy a picnic or play with your pup. It's really a treasure. There are also plenty of low-cost things like the Botanical Gardens and conservatory of flowers where you could easily spend a few hours. I recommend the Free Queen Wilhelmina Garden where you can enjoy the gorgeous windmill and flora but if flowers are really your thing you will see much more at the Botanical Gardens. You can see music and art installations and statues and more at Golden Gate Park. I have even attended a concert here and it was lovely. Even if you only have time for a quick drive through and a stop or two, I highly recommend putting this place on your list.
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Coco D.

Yelp
This is a well planned park. There are many trails, lakes, and various exercising stations. The park also has many tourist must visit areas. Lastly, the free shuttle tops it all. It is a saving grace after a long walk .
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Ashley W.

Yelp
MUST DO IN SAN FRANCISCO!! I wish I could spend more time here. We rented bikes outside the park and biked throughout the main trail. There are so many small parks and sights along the way. I really liked Shakespeare garden, rose garden, and the bison. There are wide walkways and roads for walkers, bikers, and the bus. Not too much shade, so keep that in mind!
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Farah A.

Yelp
Where do I even begin, this place is its own world. Beautiful, lively, energetic... so much going on, in every single corner! I started my walk and saw saw so much greenery, huge trees wrapping around the sides, made my way to the Japanese gardens, saw some protests, people sun bathing, bikers, dancers you name it. It was great. I can really see myself coming here daily if I lived in SF.
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Ivan B.

Yelp
This is the largest park I have been to in the Bay Area. This is like a size of a regional park, but at the same time, it somehow is because of scenic nature is here. This park has attractions, gardens, sport fields, and museums. It's really a good place for people to visit especially for joggers and bikers since there are many of them. Museums and even some gardens may require you to pay for admissions like the San Francisco Botanic Garden, but you don't really need to go to these places to enjoy your time here. I haven't go to every place here since the park is huge and I can get tired overtime since my feet hurt. If you are planning a visit here especially if you live outside of SF, then I recommend you coming in at an early morning since the sun drops really soon. Also, if you are hungry in the park, there are food vendors especially at the Rideout Fountain. There are many parking spaces inside the park and am quite surprised that there weren't many cars. You can also street park too, but just be aware of signs. I am planning to come back here soon, because I want to have opportunities to go to new places even ones that require an admission for entries. This is a really good park to relax and have fun!
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Rose L.

Yelp
Fun walking with many sights! Loved the: - rose garden: tons of varieties that you can scope out for your backyard. - bike rentals: tandem bikes or 4 seaters available for $45 a hour. - lake: tons of turtles and cute stuff! Can't wait to come back!
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Gerry T.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is very well maintained and a must visit. I usually stay in Chinatown or by Fisherman's Wharf so I end up driving here and parking within the park itself (plenty of pahking as people come and go) or in the neighborhood by Irving Street. This last visit, we had a late lunch at San Tung and decided to walk over here to work off those chicken wangs. I mistakenly wore shorts (duh) because it was like 58 F. But guess what, I'm from Chi-town so I'm impervious to that minor inconvenience (grrrrrrrr, it was cold). It's a very Nice park, very walkable with a lot of things to see such as the Japanese tea garden, the Ferris wheel, all the sculptures around Bowl Drive, etc. You can also climb Strawberry Hill, a lot of great views up there and maybe you can latch onto some folks doing Tai Chi. It's quite huge, so there's so much more to explore and I haven't been to the de Young museum yet. So make it a point to come here after having some great food or ice cream.
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Z. H.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is a serene oasis in the heart of San Francisco! This park offers stunning gardens, peaceful lakes, and miles of walking trails. Perfect for a relaxing stroll, picnic, or outdoor adventure. A must-visit SF gem!
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Meg B.

Yelp
I came here for the blues festival a few years ago, and it was so fun! I lived in the mission and it was a multi-bus ride to the park but youre dropped off right there! The park is HUGE! It definitely reminds me of central park, as its vast and covers a lot of ground. There were multiple stages for the music and it was so fun to hike around the grounds. It's definitely worth coming back to on a normal day when its not to noisy and full. It's beautiful and full of trees and sunlight.
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Heliana M.

Yelp
This park is gorgeous beyond words. It's so vast and green. We always think we can see at least half of it in a day but impossible. It's that big. Love coming here with my kindergartener at the koret's children playground which is big and fun. The carousel nearby is beautiful with a very long song :) she loved it! We also love walking around the lakes and beautiful gardens. What a great place to roam around alone or with friends and family
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Judy F.

Yelp
A band playing in the bandstand. A monk walking out from among the trees. Dogs barking and frolicking. Children and adults alike coming down the slides. Bisons lounging. Swing dancers showing their moves. The crunch of twigs and leaves as you hike down a trail. Runners in inflatable sumo costumes dashing by. A Wayne Thiebaud painting of gumball machines hanging. Skaters rolling to a disco party. Round and Round the carousel goes. Gliding under the Solar Arch to begin admiring the outdoor art on display along JFK Drive. The tingling of the keys on the outdoor pianos. Sauntering past the tulips and the windmills. The rolling hills on top of the California Academy of Aciences.
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Brent Y.

Yelp
One of the best parks I've been to. This place is huge! I truly appreciate all the people using this green space and it feels like a community pre-cell phone days. Seems that everyone was there with a similar goal of escaping the city noise and enjoy time with one another or solo. It was refreshing to see so many people smiling and present in the park.
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Anita L.

Yelp
There is so much to see and do here in the park. I came here early on a weekday morning just to enjoy some coffee and pastries and to walk around, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the sights. There are always people out and about that you can also sit and do some people watching, or explore one of the many attractions that the park has to offer. Parking can be a bit difficult, especially the later in the day that you come.

Carina Z.

Yelp
Went in looking for a parking garage and to visit the flower conservancy. Parking was challenging, and the conservancy was closed but it's our bad for not checking ahead of time. Shuttle was supposed to come every 20 minutes but it definitely didn't. A solid park!
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Thania M.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. There is something for everyone. Be prepared to walk and enjoy a pleasant adventure. The grounds are well-maintained. There are maps and directions to get to every spot.
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Elaine Y.

Yelp
Although it's easy to spend a whole day at the park, be mindful as there is a 4 hour street parking limit. This is a very late post but I hope my photos will give you an idea how beautiful the light show is. Definitely, magical to see.
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Mimi L.

Yelp
Why is it every time we visit this park I think it's a waste of time?! Most of the time we were navigating where to go and trying to find shuttles. The museums and attractions were underwhelming and small. It felt like 100 degrees in the shuttle and no air flow at all! Only good thing was food trucks throughout the park, beautiful park views, good picnic spots and most popular attractions are actually walking distance. Again if you have a day to waste, come here for picnic. Bring your dogs, run or walk for a good exercise. For tourists especially we have so many beautiful museums and gardens in Los Angeles? This is not a place that's worth visiting!
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Lisa T.

Yelp
This park is so beautifully maintained. I've been coming here as a child and feel like it gets prettier and better each time. This is my happy spot. You cannot come to San Francisco and not visit.
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Henry P.

Yelp
This is such a lovely place to visit. We barely had enough time to see as much as we wanted, but we made it to the bison paddock and took a lovely walk around much of the park. Next time, I'll definitely be renting bikes and making a trip to the Japanese tea gardens and Stawberry Hill.
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Katrina F.

Yelp
Need an afternoon stroll to keep you limber during that WFH lifestyle? This is the perfect place to visit in your local neighborhood, Golden Gate Park. If you're a local, you can get into the Japanese Tea Garden for free with ID. The Botanical Gardens are the same. However, if you're from East Bay or just visiting from out of town, a stroll through GGP is just what you need to get a glimpse of what the City culture is all about. Saturday afternoons there's swing dancing in the park. There's open hours ping pong , dredel chairs, a roller skating rink, Weiner Dog artwork statues spread throughout the park along with historic monuments explaining key founders of the City. The next time you want to go for a walk checkout the GGP!
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Gabriela C.

Yelp
This is a beautiful park, there is so much to explore that you can spend a whole day here and still not see it all. The family LOVED walking through the rose garden. There were rows and rows of different colors and types of roses. And the fragrance was wonderful! If you don't go or want to pay for the botanical garden, the rose garden does not disappoint.
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Shanna K.

Yelp
I don't know why I don't come to Golden Gate Park more often. It's so peaceful and lovely. If I lived in the city I'd be here constantly. Go during mid-day mid-week if you can.
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Kimberly Z.

Yelp
Beautiful park for running, biking, taking a stroll or picnicking. Lots of parking, lots of trees and scenery and lots of people!!
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Norris T.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is one of the most iconic urban parks in the world, and for good reason. It's much larger than most people think and it offers something for everyone, from world-class museums and gardens to hidden secrets and hidden gems. There's so much to say about this park it would be impossible to fit into one review so I'll put up some personal favorites: The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the oldest and most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. I can wander through the manicured gardens, admire the koi ponds, and enjoy a cup of tea at the tea house all day and bask in its serene ambiance. Murphy Windmill, located in the southwest corner of the park is one of the few remaining windmills in San Francisco. The windmill is an excellent picture-taking spot and offers spectacular views of the city skyline on a clear day. Stow Lake has always held a special place for me as it's the first place I went paddle boating and is a great spot for picnics or bird/people watching. Overall, Golden Gate Park is a must-visit as both a local and national treasure.
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Lisa X.

Yelp
Earth Day may have been yesterday, but in reality, everyday is Earth Day! Over the years, I grew to appreciate Golden Gate Park in so many ways. Especially now, public spaces like Golden Gate Park are so valued. Not only for beautiful plants and trees, architecture, better air, but also for the outdoor gatherings. And my pup loves this park because they have designated dog areas where he can run around and play, and I don't worry about him getting into too much trouble. I'm so thankful for this park. P.S. No littering. There are plenty of garbage cans inside the park. Littering is bad for people, pets, wildlife, plants, and the planet. It's a full circle, so please be considerate.

Jeff L.

Yelp
Golden gate park is a 5/5 park if you do not have a dog. If you do have a dog, and your dogs hair is curly, your dogs paws eat up all if the burrs and sharp unwanted things from weeds. This park could definitely be better maintained in terms of overgrown grass in some areas.
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Paolo B.

Yelp
Golden Gate Park is an absolute gem in the Bay Area, and it's something that I never appreciated until I got older, and since they shut down JFK drive to allow for roads to be open for walking and biking. With a sunshine weekend day, I spent the day walking around with my pup, soaking up the sun, exploring the different areas and getting those steps in for an active recovery day. I stumbled upon free swing dance lessons on Sunday's. The park was filled with a bunch of people, but it never felt too packed. They've done a great job with setting up seating areas long JFK for you to take a break or even play the piano On the weekends after 11, it was great to see some food trucks around the De young museum so if you forget to bring a snack, there's options for you. If you are looking for a place to grab a beer, head over to the boat house, and the snack bar has a few options there, along with some hot foods available for purchase. I do wish they would add more dog water fountains, they are less frequent and the main one I've found so far is by the baseball fields. Overall, never a dull day at GGP. Definitely look forward to spending more days out here as the summer approaches
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Karalina H.

Yelp
We drove to SF from Sonoma county just to walk around this beautiful park. Gorgeous trees, many little lakes all around the park, Bison Paddock, and of course kids playgrounds. There are lots of bathrooms in the park. I love watching the turtles and birds here. It's very peaceful. You can also find a couple of waterfalls. This park used to be my favorite place while I lived in SF.
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John Z.

Yelp
One of the best city park in United States. Museums, lakes, statues, sports area, gardens, and windmills are all in one big park. Bike funs can go to JFK Drive for biking without the worry about the cars. It is a street for biking and walking only. Best place for watching sunset on the west side of the park.