Golden Gate Park

The Basics

Sitting between the Richmond and Sunset districts, Golden Gate Park stretches about 50 blocks across San Francisco. Stop by the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences at the Music Concourse, or pay a visit to the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Shakespeare Garden, National AIDS Memorial Grove, and Stow Lake.

Farther west, the park spreads out with more trails, a 9-hole golf course, meadows that host annual music festivals, windmills, and even a bison paddock. Park Segway tours and bike rentals are the top ways to explore.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Free street parking is available around the park in some locations, and there's a parking garage near the de Young and California Academy of Sciences.

• John F. Kennedy Drive is closed on Sundays and holidays from Kezar Drive to Transverse Drive. It’s also closed on Saturdays from April through September from 8th Avenue to Transverse Drive.

• Roads inside the park close occasionally for special events; signs will be posted.

• Food and drinks can be found at the de Young Café, the Beach Chalet, the California Academy Café, and the Stow Lake Boathouse, as well as at snack stands.

How to Get There

The No. 5 bus on the city’s Muni network stops at entrances to the park on the northern edge, along Fulton Street. Taxis and ride-sharing vehicles are allowed to pull up in front of the de Young and California Academy of Sciences for drop-off only.

When to Get There

San Francisco enjoys mild weather most of the year, so the park is pleasant nearly every day (just be sure to wear layers). Music lovers may want to visit for the annual Outside Lands Music Festival in August or the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in October. Beware the city’s famous fog, affectionately known as Karl, which rolls in from the ocean in July and August, giving San Francisco its chilly summers.

The Golden Gate Park Bison Paddock

The most unusual thing about this city park is its bison paddock, home to a herd of American bison since the 1890s. Stumbling upon the animals is a delightful surprise for many visitors who make it to the western section of the park. To find the meadow, head along John F. Kennedy Drive just west of Spreckels Lake. Hopefully you’ll catch them near the fence, but know that they’re not always in view.

How much does it cost to visit Golden Gate Park?

Golden Gate Park is free to enter. Visitors pay for site parking, plus admission fees to some attractions inside, such as the gardens and museums. To keep expenses down, take public transportation, bring a picnic, and explore the trails that wind around the park’s west side.

How long does it take to go around Golden Gate Park?

A half day is enough time to walk around Golden Gate Park. But, if you plan to also have lunch and visit gardens or museums—such as the California Academy of Sciences—it’s worth dedicating a day to this sizable park.

How do I spend a day at Golden Gate Park?

Start in de Young Café for a grab-and-go breakfast, and then stroll east through the Japanese Tea Garden to reach the Conservatory of Flowers. The California Academy of Sciences has sit-down lunch options that let you catch a breather before an afternoon at the Bison Paddock and Stow Lake.

Do you need tickets to go to Golden Gate Park?

No, visitors don’t need tickets to go to Golden Gate Park, although some attractions within the park are ticketed. If you visit in the busy periods (May–October and Thanksgiving–New Year), it’s best to buy tickets to the park’s popular California Academy of Sciences museum in advance.

What are two big attractions in Golden Gate Park?

If big means popular, then the California Academy of Sciences and the Conservatory of Flowers are the key attractions in Golden Gate Park. Other big attractions in terms of popularity and sheer size include the de Young Museum, filled with some of the city’s most interesting fine art.

Is Golden Gate walkable?

Golden Gate Park covers more than 1,000 acres (412 hectares), but most people won’t plan to cover that during a visit. To make things easy on your legs, there are walking trails that link the key sites and bike trails for those who want to cover more ground.

Ways to explore

Golden Gate Park stretches some 50 blocks across San Francisco, where you can wander for free, although some attractions have entry fees. Stop by the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences for a cultural experience. Otherwise, enjoy a dose of nature at the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden, or Shakespeare Garden, and discover other features from the National AIDS Memorial Grove to Blue Heron Lake.

Farther west, the park spreads out with more trails, a 9-hole golf course, and a bison paddock. Park Segway tours and bike rentals are top ways to explore.

Accessibility

Much of Golden Gate Park is accessible to wheelchair users, including numerous attractions and paved trails.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, sun or rain protection, camera, blanket

What to wear

Wear comfortable, weatherproof layers—it gets cooler and foggier as you approach Ocean Beach.

Not allowed

Smoking, open alcohol containers in much of the park, off-leash pets outside dog parks, disruptive behavior

Amenities

Bathrooms, trails, food and drink concessions, recreational facilities

Address 

Golden Gate Park stretches across much of San Francisco, from Haight-Ashbury west to Ocean Beach. There are numerous points of access to the park, allowing you to drive, use public transportation, walk, bike, or opt for a tour with included transportation.

Driving

Given its size, there are many points of access to Golden Gate Park, including Highway 1, John F Kennedy Drive, and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Parking lots are hosted on site.

Public transportation

Golden Gate Park is easily accessible via public transportation. To get there, take the N Judah, a Muni Metro light rail line, or use local buses.

Best times to visit

Golden Gate Park is always open, though museums and attractions have individual hours—visit in the daytime to make the most of them.

Best days to visit

There’s rarely a bad time to visit Golden Gate Park, though expect it to be busier on weekends and holidays.

Best months to visit

Visit in spring to see the park’s gardens in bloom, or aim for late summer or early autumn, when San Francisco’s mid-summer fog tends to dissipate.

Special events

Golden Gate Park hosts concerts, events, exhibitions, and more throughout the year, in addition to big-ticket events such as Outside Lands Music Festival in August and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in October.