A Local’s Guide to Golden Gate Park

It’s the best time of the year to get outside, and there’s nowhere better to spend your days than at Golden Gate Park! With over a thousand acres of land, Golden Gate Park is home to some of the best activities to enjoy a very Bay Area day. There are numerous museums within the park, and the lush park offers an abundance of outdoor activities to keep you busy and coming back for more.

Bike JFK Promenade 

Load your bikes and head to JFK  Promenade. This car free route creates the perfect place for a leisurely bike ride, or you could try your hand at roller skating. Want a change of pace? Gather a group of friends and hop on a surrey bike. Be prepared for lots of laughs and a potentially short ride because these bikes are no joke!

Visit the Japanese Tea Garden 

Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. Visitors can spend their time walking alongside koi ponds and zen gardens, and even stop by the on-site tea house. The tea house offers the ultimate zen experience with authentic tea and snacks perfect for unwinding after your stroll. 

Wander through Bisson Paddock

What’s better than a walk through the park? A walk with bison! Yes, the park indeed has its own herd of bison. Bison have been a key part of the park since the 1890s as part of a conservation program. While they are no longer endangered, Golden Gate Park continues to host these fluffy creatures, allowing visitors to see them in an up-close urban setting.

Visit the Windmills

Near Ocean Beach are two major landmarks of the park: the Murphy Windmill and the Dutch Windmill. These windmills were initially built to capture coastal winds and pump water for the park. Today, they have been replaced by electric pump systems, but they remain restored as reminders of what Golden Gate Park once was.