Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's enormous urban park, larger than New York's Central Park, running from the Haight all the way to the ocean. Within its 1,000-plus acres you will find the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden, a botanical garden, windmills and even a small bison herd. The park itself is free, though individual gardens and museums charge admission, and the western, ocean end is markedly foggier and cooler than the eastern end.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How big is it and can I see it in one visit?

It's about 1,000 acres, roughly 20 percent larger than New York's Central Park, running three miles from the Haight to the ocean. You can't see it all in a day. Pick a section or two, or rent a bike to cover more ground.

Can I rent bikes?

Yes, several rental shops sit near the park's eastern entrances around the Haight and Stanyan Street. Biking is the best way to cover the park's three-mile length, especially along the car-free roads. There are also paddleboats at Stow Lake for a slower pace.

What are the must-see spots?

The Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, Stow Lake (rent a paddleboat), the bison paddock, the Botanical Garden, and the two big museums at the Music Concourse. On the western end, the Dutch and Murphy windmills and Ocean Beach await.

How do I get there on transit?

The N-Judah light rail runs along the southern edge, the 5-Fulton along the northern edge, and the 7 and 44 buses cut through and around. Because the park is so long, pick your entry point based on which attractions you're targeting.

Is Golden Gate Park free?

The park itself is free and open daily. Some attractions inside charge admission (the de Young, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers), but the vast majority, meadows, trails, lakes, gardens, and the bison paddock, cost nothing.

Is the park safe?

The main attractions and busy areas are safe during the day and heavily used by locals. As with any large urban park, stick to populated areas, be aware after dark, and don't leave valuables in parked cars. Daytime visits are the norm and worry-free.

Is it family-friendly?

Extremely. Between the Koret Children's Quarter playground and carousel, the bison, the science museum, paddleboats, and endless open lawns, families can easily fill a day. Much of the eastern half is flat and stroller-friendly along the car-free promenade.

Is JFK Drive really closed to cars?

The eastern stretch of JFK Drive is permanently car-free, turned into a promenade for walkers, cyclists, and skaters. It's one of the best free things to do in the park. Weekends see even more car-free roads, making it ideal for biking with kids.

Nearby in Ask San Francisco

• de Young MuseumMuseum1.56 km · 19 min walk
• de Young MuseumAttraction1.56 km · 19 min walk
• Bazaar CaféCafé1.68 km · 21 min walk
• Little ShamrockBar1.76 km · 22 min walk
• California Academy of SciencesMuseum1.77 km · 22 min walk