Guide to Golden Gate Park
Tourists and locals alike fall in love with Golden Gate Park. You can spend hours and still only see part of the park. Below are some of the main highlights of the park depending on your interests!
Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is a beautiful greenhouse with over 2000 exotic plants and flowers. If you're a fan of plants, this is a must-see. Like other greenhouses, it can be extremely warm so be prepared! Before you go, check to see what's in bloom here. Entry is $10-13 for visitors. You can purchase a Golden Gates Park pass that gets you into all the gardens in the park (Conservatory of Flowers, SF Botanical Gardens, and the Japanese Tea Garden!) for $25.
De Young Museum
Full disclosure - I’m not really an art museum person. But the De Young is still on my list for all tourists because of the beautiful observation deck. It’s free and gives you amazing views of the city. I also really enjoy the sculpture garden. Take a look at the exhibits to see if it makes sense for you to buy admission to the entire museum! General admission is $15 and special exhibitions can be up to $40.
California Academy of Sciences
I love this museum - it’s a great spot for kids and adults. The biological sphere is spectacular, and I love the aquariums as well. If you don’t have a great science museum at home, this is a great thing to add to your San Francisco itinerary. They also host a "Nightlife" adults-only event every Thursday night, which is a great evening activity if you are traveling in the winter. General admission ranges from $36-45 depending on the day/time. Nightlife tickets are $18-22.
Japanese Tea Garden
The tea garden is so peaceful! Enjoy classic elements such as pagodas and arched bridges. If you have time, definitely stay for a cup of tea in the Tea House. It's the perfect way to warm up on a foggy San Francisco day in the park. Entry is $13.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Stow Lake
This lake is one of my favorite areas in the park. I highly recommend you book a paddle boat for an hour to head around the lake. You’ll see nice bridges, a waterfall, a Chinese pagoda, and lots of turtles! If you don’t feel like boating, you can also hike around the island and go to the top for city views! The paddle boats cost $32.50/hour. You can also take a row boat for $26/hour if you prefer!
Spreckels Lake
Spreckels Lake is much smaller than Stow Lake, but it’s still worth a stop to see if the model yachts are out! You’ll see lots of small remote-controlled boats in the water. This can be a quick stop, and kids love it!
Bison Paddock
I love bringing visitors to the Bison Paddock! It's just so unexpected - who would expect bison to be in the middle of San Francisco? 2 bison were brought to the park in 1890, and the herd soon began to grow. The SF bison participated in a captive breeding program as bison were being hunted in other parts of the US. Over 100 calves were born!
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden
At the end of the park right before Ocean Beach, you'll find old Dutch windmillsin both corners. On the northwest corner, there is also a beautiful garden with tulips. It feels like you're transported to The Netherlands! Tulips are in bloom February - March.
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