About This Site
An independent guide to Golden Gate Park
This site is written by a local resident who lives in the Inner Richmond and has been walking, skating, and wandering in Golden Gate Park for at least 25 years.
It started as a way to share the places and stories that make the park worth knowing: the bison herd that has lived here since 1891, the windmill cap that was shipped to the Netherlands and back, the volunteers who keep Kathleen's Garden and the Dahlia Dell going. Official sites are good at hours and tickets. This one tries to be good at the why.
What this site is, and isn't
This is an independent site. It isn't affiliated with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the park's museums, or any of the organizations mentioned here, and none of them have paid to be included.
It also isn't comprehensive. Golden Gate Park covers more than 1,000 acres, and this is a personal selection. Hours, prices, and schedules change, so always check the official source before you go. Links to those sources appear throughout the site, and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks website is the place for official park information.
Spotted a mistake?
Corrections and suggestions are welcome, especially from people who know the park well. If you notice an outdated hour, a wrong date, or a place that deserves a write-up, please get in touch using the form below.
Photo credits
Most photos on this site were taken by David Harrison. Others are used with permission or under free licenses, and are credited on the page where they appear, including photos by Frank Minjarez and David Vives via Pexels.
Further reading
For longer stories about the park and the people who care for it, see 1,017 Acres: Life in the Park.
Last updated: October 2026
Get in touch
Spotted a mistake, or know a place that deserves a write-up? Send a note here.