Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park which includes bird life, forests and a garden
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere among the trees and wildlife here at San Francisco's much-loved park.

Stretching around five kilometres, the Golden Gate Park is a historic haven much loved by locals and visitors alike. Designed back in the 1870s by park commissioner William Hall, it covers over 1000 acres, complete with stunning gardens, woods and lakes, making it an idyllic escape from the busy streets of San Francisco. And with areas running down to the coastline, it truly has something for everyone.

When you visit, you'll find locals flocking here along with the tourists. With its friendly, laid-back charm, there is a truly easy-going vibe here, going back to the hippie roots of San Francisco. Take it all in with a slow paddle boat ride across Stow Lake or visit the Janis Joplin tree. Head for the tulip garden and enjoy the scents of the roses in bloom in the warm months. You can also enjoy the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, one of the finest and largest gardens in the world.

These natural attractions are complemented by the California Academy of Sciences, which sits in the heart of the park. Here you can explore an aquarium, a planetarium and a rainforest, and the greenery on the roof means it all blends in perfectly. You can also visit the De Young Art Museum designed by Herzog De Meuron, which is home to relics from across the world.

Pause for a moment to enjoy some peace and quiet among the ornate bridges and beautiful scenery at the Japanese Tea Gardens. Make the most of the tranquillity whilst sipping a delicious cup of tea in a traditional ceremony. Or for a more fast-paced experience, grab your roller skates and make your way around the park. Bikes and skates can be hired at points throughout the park, and kids will love exploring this beautiful area at a faster pace.

The area is also teeming with birdlife, including herons, egrets, gulls, warblers and woodpeckers. Frogs and turtles can also be found around the lakes and gardens. One of the major highlights here is the herd of bison, which you'll see in a field on the north end of the park, close to Spreckels Lake.

You can reach Golden Gate Park by car, San Francisco Municipal (Muni) service, or by bike. Parking is available at Fulton Street and 10th Avenue for a fee, otherwise spaces can be found on the streets in and around the park.

Plan a trip to see Golden Gate Park

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Stanford Court San Francisco

Reviews of Golden Gate Park

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
161
" "5 - Excellent 49.845201238390096%
4 - Good
139
" "4 - Good 43.03405572755418%
3 - Okay
22
" "3 - Okay 6.811145510835913%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.30959752321981426%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Jan 2020

Be careful not to miss the last junction or you will have to pay for the toll on your return over the bridge.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Jul 2019

Lovely area next to hotel overlooking sea. Sad the number of homeless sleeping here during the day though. Seems to be a big problem in San Fran. Never seen so many homeless people and I thought London was bad. Very sad.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Apr 2019

Great aquarium and planetarium in the science museum and Japanese tea gardens beautiful

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