FAQ for Golden Gate Park
How large is Golden Gate Park? 1,017 acres (about 175 acres larger than Central Park in New York)
How many people visit Golden Gate Park each year? 13 million
How long is Golden Gate Park? 3 miles
How wide is Golden Gate Park? ½ mile
How many different ways can I enter Golden Gate Park by car?
The main drive-in entrance is located from the Panhandle via Fell St to JFK Drive. The second most-used entrance is from 9th Avenue (off of Lincoln Blvd), which offers easy access to many different park sights. There are 19 other access points for people driving into the park.
How much does it cost to enter Golden Gate Park?
During the day, Golden Gate Park is free. Special attractions, such as the museums require fees (including Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers).
When is the park closed? On foot, visitors are not allowed in the park between midnight and 5am.
Is the park ever closed to cars?
Half the day on Saturdays and all Sundays, JFK Drive is closed to cars from Stanyan to Park Presidio – a delight for bikers and skaters.
How popular is Golden Gate Park?
The park is the third most visited park in the United States – beaten only by Central Park in New York City and Lincoln Park in Chicago.
What kinds of trees are at the park?
Many different trees, flowers, plants, and bushes are found at the park, including the Blue Gum Eucalyptus, Monterey pines, redwoods, and the Monterey cypress.
How many bodies of water are found at Golden Gate Park?
There are two prominent bodies of water at the park – Stow Lake (located by Strawberry Hill) and Spreckels Lake (close to 36th Avenue). Additional selections include North Lake, Mallard Lake, South Lake, Metson Lake, Middle Lake, Elk Glen Lake, Lloyd Lake, and Lily Pond.
What kind of birds will I find at Golden Gate Park?
Countless species of birds fly about the park, including the Belted Kingfisher, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Green Herons, Song Sparrows, Great Blue Herons, Pygmy Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Hermit Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and White-crowned Sparrows.
What are some of the historical sites at Golden Gate Park?
Some of the historic attractions of the park include Beach Chalet, Conservatory of Flowers, as well as the Dutch Windmill (North Windmill) and Murphy Windmill (South Windmill).
What is so special about the California Academy of Sciences?
It is one of the largest museums of natural history in the world, offering access to the Steinhart Aquarium and Morrison Planetarium. Some of the exhibits on the premises include reptiles, astronomy, prehistoric life, gems, minerals, earthquakes, and aquatic life.
Where can I go to rent a boat to use at the park?
Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals (50 Stow Lake Drive; 415- 752-0347)
Where can I take my dogs?
Dogs can run without a leash in the section of park surrounded by Lincoln Way, South Drive, 5th and 7th Avenue; at Stanyan between Hayes and Fulton Streets; and the section bordered by King Drive, Middle Drive, 34th and 38th Avenues. Dog-training usually takes place at 38th Avenue and Fulton Street. Do not bring your dogs to Big Rec.
Where can I see a lot of flowers?
The Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden are some of the most popular floral locations at Golden Gate Park, but you can also visit the Strybing Arboretum, Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, Rhododendron Dell, Rose Garden, George Washington Bicentennial Grove, Redwood Memorial Grove, and Shakespeare’s Garden.
Where can I play sports Golden Gate Park?
The park offers a Municipal Golf Course; Soccer Fields; Golden Gate Park Stadium (Polo Fields); Flycasting Pools with the Anglers Lodge; softball diamond at Lindley Meadow; two reservable diamonds at Big Rec; an Archery Field; handball courts behind Big Rec; lawn bowling greens; tennis courts near Sharon Field, Kezar Stadium, horseshoe pits, and basketball courts on the Panhandle.
There are also numerous fields for pick-up games for soccer and volleyball.
Where is the carousel?
The children’s playground with a historic carousel is located near Sharon Field. Additional playgrounds are situated at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (near 18th Avenue), and Lincoln Way at 47th Avenue.
Where is the best place for a BBQ? 38th and Fulton, and by Lake Lloyd.
Where can I find...?
National AIDS Memorial Grove? At the intersection of Bowling Green and Middle Drive East.
Rose Garden? Between John F. Kennedy Drive and Park Presidio Drive
Tennis Courts? 21 courts found off Middle Drive East, near John F. Kennedy Drive.
Guiseppe Verdi Memorial? Near the Spreckels Temple of Music
John McLaren? Memorial statue located near the entrance of the John McLaren Rhododendron Dell.
