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. And even during cooler weather, as is shown in the photo above, it is still a treat being there. I love seeing the fog as it permeates the tree clusters throughout the park.
Getting there and around
No matter where you live in San Francisco, you can access the park via bicycle, which is my preference. Not just because cycling is good exercise and it does not contribute to air or noise pollution, but also because it will 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 on 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, and walk your dog, and, if s/he is not a runner, let it roam around. However, remember that there is vehicular traffic close by and bike traffic within the bike lanes. So it would be 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. And, 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, busses can be very slow in the City, especially in busies parts of the City, 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 about driving to GG Park that I firmly discourage it unless you 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, then you are more or less limited to roam 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, just walking around and sightseeing. 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 for more since 1894. Besides being a great place to relax, wander around and meditate, you can have some tea and other small refreshments. In other words, it is an oasis within an oasis and 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.” There are plants from all over the world, walking paths, and even open areas to sit and relax or for kids to explore. Visit their website for more information: sfbg.org.
Additionally, there are other sites within GG Park worth visiting that are free. 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: Dating back to 1903, the windmills were initially pumped water, and for some decades, the windmills 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: an artificial pond located just west of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The lake is a meeting point for individuals and groups, such as 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. Also, the museums noted above 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, there are many restaurants and cafes within walking distance along the park’s perimeter in most directions. Furthermore, you may want to pack a meal and enjoy a picnic inside the park.