Golden Gate Park: A Must-Visit Destination in San Francisco
Golden Gate Park and McLaren Park at the other end of the City are an oasis in the middle of a very dense city, especially if you can go there during the week when the crowds are gone. However, that said, GG Park is large enough to always find a patch of grass, sometimes in the sun, no matter when you go there. Even during cooler weather, as shown in the photo above, it remains a treat to be there. I love seeing the fog as it permeates the tree clusters throughout the park.
McLaren Park: San Francisco – Hidden Oasis
Getting there and around
No matter where you live in San Francisco, you can access the park via bicycle, which is my preference. Cycling is good exercise and does not contribute to air or noise pollution, but it will also be easier to chain your bike up somewhere rather than try to find a parking space. Plus, you can jump on your bike and go to the next attraction or place of interest, including going out of the ark to grab a bite to eat in the neighboring neighborhoods.
Even though it is a relatively short section, one of my favorite places to ride is along the Panhandle, a wide median separating Fell and Oak Streets. It extends GG Park at its eastern border to Baker Street. You can hang out here and lie on the grass, play volleyball, take your kids to the playground, walk your dog, and let it roam if s/he is not a runner. However, remember that vehicular traffic is nearby, and bike traffic is within the bike lanes. So, it’s best to be careful, but it is enjoyable.
However, if biking is not for you, several bus lines will get you to GG Park relatively quickly and hassle-free. If you go to www.sfmta.com, you can plan your trip to the park and schedule your return time. Unfortunately, though ubiquitous and comfortable, buses can be very slow in the City, especially in busy parts, such as the surrounding areas of GG Park. This is due to narrow streets with one lane in each direction and the occasional double parker blocking the right-of-way.
I will only say that I strongly advise against driving to GG Park unless you absolutely need a car. Not only can finding a parking spot be a soul-crushing experience, which can rob you of precious time by circling and circling until you locate a spot, but once you park somewhere, you are more or less limited to roaming around a fixed radius from that parking spot, which is not convenient. From Ocean Beach on the west side to Baker Street on the east, which includes the Panhandle, GG Park is approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. A bike will provide freedom to move around, and even using a bus can be more convenient since you will walk to a nearby bus stop and ride home.
What to see
You can easily spend the day at GG Park simply by walking around and taking in the sights. In addition, there are several places, such as museums and other sites:
- California Academy of Sciences: “starchitect” Enrico Piano designed the building with a roof garden that replicates the seven hills of San Francisco, which, according to history, is where the City of San Francisco was founded. The museum is a large complex that includes an aquarium, a natural history museum, and a planetarium, among other things. For visitor information, visit their website at calacademy.org.
- Conservatory of Flowers: This is a huge greenhouse home to scores of plants worldwide. It is the oldest building in GG Park, dating back to 1879. Visit their website for more information: conservatoryofflowers.org
- DeYoung Museum: The DeYoung Museum dates back to 1895. However, its current building was opened in 2005. In addition to impressive housing works of art, it includes a well-stocked gift and book shop, a cafeteria, and a tower, which can be accessed from the main lobby. Some elevators will take you to the top, where you can walk around the glassed-in observation deck. From there, you get amazing views of the city. The DeYoung and the Legion of Honor are the two oldest art museums in San Francisco. Go to: deyoung.famsf.org for more information.
- Japanese Tea Garden: This site has been a San Francisco institution since 1894. It is a great place to unwind, wander, and meditate, with the option to enjoy tea and other refreshments. In other words, it is an oasis within an oasis worth the time and money to visit. Go to japanesteagardensf.com for more information.
- San Francisco Botanical Garden is a 55-acre arboretum dubbed an “urban oasis.” It features plants worldwide, walking paths, and even open areas for kids to explore. Visit its website for more information: sfbg.org.
Additionally, other sites within GG Park are worth visiting. They are:
- Bison Paddock: Visit these somber and slow-moving animals as you traverse the park. You can walk off to the fence and get close to these bison of all ages, including, if you are lucky, some of the young calves. The paddock is located on JFK Way, just east of Spreckels Lake, another artificial pond within the park.
- GG Park Windmills: In 1903, the windmills were initially used to pump water. For some decades, they have been a tourist attraction. They are located at the northwest and northeast corners of GG Park, close to the Great Highway.
- National AIDS Memorial Grove: located on the southwest corner of Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive, this open-air park within a park is a place of remembrance for the hundreds of thousands of people living with AIDS. It was designed and built as a place for people to honor their loved ones who have passed away due to AIDS. However, regardless of your personal experience with AIDS or its victims, the Grove is an amazing space and a definite destination to visit in San Francisco. Visit their website at aidsmemorial.org for more information.
- Stow Lake is an artificial pond west of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The lake serves as a meeting point for individuals and groups, including jogging and cycling clubs, urban hikers, and others interested in sports and recreation. I recommend you check it out as you explore the park.
Where to eat
As noted earlier, the Japanese Tea Garden serves tea and some refreshments. The museums noted above also have cafeterias. However, the main and only actual restaurant within the park is the Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant (www.beachchalet.com), located on JFK Drive and the Great Highway. Besides having a formidable menu mostly consisting of American fare, the chalet also has great views of the Pacific Ocean from the second floor.
Also, because of the park’s location, many restaurants and cafes are within walking distance along its perimeter in most directions. Additionally, consider packing a meal to enjoy a picnic inside the park.
Greening Projects
Author Bio
Jorge Romero-Lozano, PE, LEED AP, PMP, is Greening Projects‘ Executive Director and Founder. As a licensed civil engineer with a passion for planning, designing, and building green spaces, he provides both technical expertise and a passion for envisioning potential green spaces, as well as supporting neighborhoods, individuals, and other professionals who wish to improve their environments and engage their communities.
San Francisco Family Friendly Calendar
Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas
