.png)
Discover the Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
Photo by Northern Latitudes
Activities
Are you planning to visit San Francisco? Or maybe you’re just looking for information. Whatever you are doing here, if you are looking for information about the Golden Gate Park, you are at the right spot. The golden gate park is the third most visited urban park in the United States, and we’ll (try) to give you as much information as possible on it.
Last updated on Sep 17, 2025
The Gardens of The Park
The Garden of Golden Gate Park is a group of three gardens found across the park. Here is the list.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
San Francisco botanical garden contains more than 8,000 kinds of plants organized in a way that will make you travel around the world. Each zone within the botanical garden is dedicated to a region of the world. It's a great place for families and plant lovers. Additionally, the garden organizes some cool events like concerts from time to time, so check it out!
Admission: Ranges from
Free to $17
Photo by Til Man | Unsplash
Hours: Open
Daily from 7:30a.m. to Last Entry (1H prior park closing)
Address: 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Conservatory of Flowers
The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. It features a wide collection of plants from different climates around the world. It is a very unique place to learn about very unique plants.
Admission: Ranges from
Free to $17
Photo by Northern Latitudes
Hours: Open
Thursday to Tuesday 10a.m. to 4:30p.m.
(Last entry at 4p.m.)
Address: 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Japanese Tea Garden
​The Japanese Tea Garden of San Francisco is the oldest operating public Japanese garden in North America. It is not big, but there is a lot to see. From the cherry blossom trees (in March and April) to the pagoda passing by the dry landscape, the Japanese Tea Garden has a lot to show. Additionally, it also features a functional tea house and a gift shop that sells authentic Japanese items.
Admission: Ranges from
Free to $20
Photo by Northern Latitudes
Hours: Open
Open daily from 9a.m. to 6p.m. (Last entry at 5:30p.m.)
Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
The Museums
de Young Museum
One of the numerous museums in San Francisco is the de Young museum. The fine art museum is considered by some as one of the best in the U.S. and also one of the most visited. Therefore, if you like a good art museum visit, it may interest you. In case you wondered, the museum was named after the newspaperman M. H. de Young.
Admission: Ranges from
Free to $20
Hours: Open
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30a.m. to 5:15p.m.
Address: Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is among the world’s biggest museums of natural history. First established in 1853, it moved to the Golden Gate Park in 1916, and the current building was built in 2008. The current building is well known for its sustainable design. The academy features millions of specimens and several exhibits for both old and young. Some night visits with unique perks are also proposed for adults aged 21+.
General Admission: Range from
Free to $59
Hours: Open
Mon to Sat from 9:30a.m. to 5p.m. Open at 11a.m. on Sunday (Last entry 1 hour before closure)
Address: Golden Gate, Park 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118
Tips From Northern Latitudes
The Gardens 3-Day Pass
If you plan on visiting the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, know that a 3 day pass is available. The pass is activated on the day you redeem it, and then lasts three days (for example, if you start on May 1st, the pass is available until May 3rd). In that time frame, you can have unlimited access to all the three gardens which include; The Botanical Garden, The Japanese Tea Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers.
Cost: Range from
Free to $30
The Free Days
The Gardens of the Golden Gate Park frequently offer free admissions on given dates or hours. So check it out!
San Francisco Residents
The Gardens of the Golden Gate Park are made free for San Francisco residents. You will only need a proof of residency with you.
Other Things to See in the Golden Gate Park
The Windmills
The Golden Gate Park features two windmills located on its west extremity. The first of these two windmills, the “Dutch Winmill” was built in 1902 to pump water for the irrigation system of the Golden Gate Park – which was partially built on sand dunes. The second windmill, the “Murphy Windmill” was built six years later for similar purposes. This second windmill is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. The area around the windmills offers a peaceful atmosphere where you can eat and walk surrounded by flowers.
The Dutch Windmill taken by Northern Latitudes
The Bisons Paddock
Not far from the Windmills on the west extremity, you may be able to see a herd of bison. This herd has been introduced in the park more than a hundred years ago in an effort to conserve them when they were – at the time – close to extinction. Today, the small herd peacefully lives there and may be seen by people passing by.
Blue Heron Lake & Strawberry Hill
​Several artificial lakes can be found across the Golden Gate Park. The biggest of those is the Blue Heron Lake which was named in honor of the birds of the same name who nest on the edges of the lake. Right in the middle of the lake, Strawberry hill overlooks the Golden Gate Park and features the Huntington Falls – 110ft high artificial falls. The area around the lake offers several fun activities like biking, boating or trails, and the top of Strawberry Hill offers a sweet view of the Golden Gate Park and some parts of San Francisco.
Photo by Northern Latitudes
Pay Attention to the Details!
The Golden Gate Park features several sculptures of historical figures or animals. By walking around the park you may see sculptures of people like:
-
Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous German composer and pianist is considered among the most influential in the history of classical music.
-
Sancho Panza and Don Quixote from the book of the same name. Both characters created by the Miguel de Cervantes
-
John McLaren, who served as the park superintendent for 53 years.
-
Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian opera composer.
These are just some of the many sculptures that can be seen in the park. You can try to find the 30+ sculptures!
Moving Around The Golden Gate Park
We mentioned earlier that the park is huge, and the distance from east to west (the length) is about three miles or more. Keeping in mind that you cannot walk in a straight line, this means that it could take you quite some time to walk the park – we recommend it though. You can decide on renting some bikes, but other options are available for faster travel. Happily, the area of the golden gate park is well served by public transportations.
Bus lines go all around the park, and can be easily accessed. The Muni light rail system is available at the south of the park within less than a 10min walk.
​A free shuttle also stops at the park’s most popular destination on the eastern side. The shuttle operates from 6am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. And from noon to 6pm from Monday through friday.
Explore More
California
California
.jpg)
Transportation