Top Ten Things Families Can Do Right Now At Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park arose from a vast and barren stretch of sand dunes 150 years ago to the more than 1,017 beautiful acres we have today. Now it’s home to woodlands, meadows, lakes, outdoor art, manicured gardens, wildlife and has offers plenty of space for practicing social distancing during this crucial time. Outdoor areas of Golden Gate Park remain open while many attractions remain closed. Here are ten fun ideas worth exploring even with the pandemic on everyone’s mind.

Bison Paddock

1237 John F. Kennedy Drive

I Herd the News Today, Oh Boy! NEW Bison Cams let viewers observe Golden Gate Park’s shaggy behemoths from home or pay them a visit. Visitors to Golden Gate Park are often astounded to stumble upon a herd of American bison browsing in a meadow in the park’s western end, but these huge, shaggy Great Plains denizens have been a beloved institution since 1892. The small herd that remains is cared for by the San Francisco Zoo, while Rec and Park gardeners maintain the enclosure.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

1199 Ninth Avenue

Escape to a unique urban oasis of extraordinary beauty at San Francisco Botanical Garden, showcasing more than 9,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. The Garden is open but onsite programs are on hold until further notice.

Japanese Tea Garden

Re-Open on Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Welcome to the Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States located inside Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. Mondays and Tuesdays will continue to be closed until further notices. Tea House and Giftshop will open soon.

Car-Free Days in Golden Gate Park

Enjoy car-free days along major portions of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park every Sunday and holiday, and on Saturdays from April through September. Every Sunday and on all holidays, John F Kennedy Drive (JFK) is closed from Kezar Drive to Transverse Drive. On Saturdays from April through September, JFK is closed to vehicle traffic from 8th Avenue to Transverse Drive.

Strawberry Hill

This is the highest point within Golden Gate Park and has the best views. The lake’s manmade island is a fun easy stroll and includes a 10-foot artificial waterfall, Chinese pagoda and rustic bridges. The boathouse at Stow Lake is currently closed due to the shelter-in-place.

Dutch and Murphy Windmills

These windmills are located at the northwest and southwest corners of Golden Gate Park. At the time it was built, the south windmill was one of the largest of its type in the world. The Dutch windmill has a beautiful tulip garden around it which blooms in February and March.

Fairy House

Walk along the paved pathway that runs along side of the Japanese Tea Gardens for about 100 feet until you see a fallen eucalyptus log on the left side of the path. At the end of this log is the fairy door! Knock and see if anyone is home. Otherwise, leave a note or a wish or a small gift for the fairies that protect Golden Gate Park.

The Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers

Don't hurry. Don't worry. Simply stroll the beautiful gardens which incorporates plants and flowers mentioned within the works by The Bard. Take Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Middle Drive East, located not too far from the Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum. A sign directing visitors to the garden’s free entrance is also in the area.

Geocaching

Explore Golden Gate Park through "geocaching" – a popular, real-world outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devises. Your goal with geocaching is to find a hidden container, or a "geocache," in a particular location using its geographic coordinates.

Listen for

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

You’re likely to hear <<squawks>> from the flock of cherry-headed conures living in Golden Gate Park before you see them but they’re bright flashy colors make them easy to spot. These wild parrots are thought to be the result of an escape exotic pet but no one truly knows where their origins stem from but they thrive around the park. For more details, watch The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a documentary about these wild birds.