Getting to
Golden Gate Park

By Car

Main Entrances

• Eastern Entrance: Stanyan Street (between Fulton Street and Lincoln Way)

• Northern Entrances: Along Fulton Street at multiple cross streets

• Southern Entrances: Along Lincoln Way at multiple cross streets

• Western Entrance: Great Highway at the park's western edge

Parking

Music Concourse Garage

• Location: Entrance at 10th Avenue and Fulton Street (underground)

• Capacity: Over 800 spaces

• Hours: Open daily

• Cost: Paid parking (rates vary)

• Benefits: Centrally located near California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, and many other attractions

• Walking distance to most major park destinations

Street Parking
Street parking is available throughout the park and on surrounding streets, but can be challenging, especially on weekends and during events. Here are some tips:

• Arrive early for the best chance of finding a spot

• Check posted signs carefully for time limits and street cleaning schedules

• Park on side streets (like Fulton, Lincoln Way, or numbered avenues) and walk into the park

• Be prepared to walk—the park is large, and you may need to park several blocks from your destination

Car-Free JFK Drive
John F. Kennedy Drive, one of the park's main thoroughfares, is closed to cars daily, making it a haven for pedestrians, cyclists, and skaters. This means some attractions along JFK Drive require parking on nearby streets or in the Music Concourse Garage, then walking or skating to your destination.

By Public Transit

Multiple San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA) bus lines serve Golden Gate Park from various parts of the city. The best lines depend on which part of the park you're visiting and where you're coming from.

SFMTA Trip Planner For personalized directions based on your starting location and destination within the park, use the SFMTA Trip Planner. Simply enter your starting address and the park attraction you want to visit.

Popular Bus Lines Serving the Park:

• 5 Fulton: Runs along the park's northern edge (Fulton Street)

• 7 Haight/Noriega: Serves the eastern entrance and Haight-Ashbury area

• 18 46th Avenue: Runs along the park's western side

• 28 19th Avenue: Crosses through the middle of the park

• 29 Sunset: Serves the western side of the park

• 44 O'Shaughnessy: Runs along the park's southern edge (Lincoln Way)

• N Judah (Muni Metro): Stops near the park's eastern entrance at 9th Avenue and Judah

Check the SFMTA website for current schedules, routes, and any service changes.

By Bicycle

Golden Gate Park is extremely bike-friendly, with miles of dedicated bike paths and car-free roads.

Bike Paths The park features an extensive network of paved bike paths that connect major attractions. JFK Drive, closed to cars daily, is particularly popular with cyclists.

Bike Parking Bike racks are available throughout the park near major attractions. Always lock your bike securely.

Bike Share San Francisco's bike share program, Bay Wheels, has stations near and within Golden Gate Park. This is a convenient option if you don't have your own bike. Rental fees apply; see website for pricing.

On Foot

If you're staying nearby in neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, Haight-Ashbury, or Inner Sunset, Golden Gate Park is easily walkable. The park's eastern entrance at Stanyan Street is particularly accessible from many central San Francisco neighborhoods.

Accessibility

Golden Gate Park is committed to accessibility for all visitors.

Accessible Parking Accessible parking spaces are available in the Music Concourse Garage and at various locations throughout the park. Look for blue curb zones and posted accessible parking signs.

Accessible Paths Many of the park's paved paths and attractions are wheelchair accessible. However, some areas feature unpaved trails or stairs. Check individual attraction websites for specific accessibility information.

Accessible Transit All SFMTA buses serving the park are wheelchair accessible and equipped with ramps or lifts.

Tips for Your Visit

Best Times to Visit

• Weekday mornings are typically less crowded

• Weekends and holidays can be very busy, especially near popular attractions

• Arrive early if you need street parking

• Summer weekends often feature events and festivals
  

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes (the park is large!)

• Layers—San Francisco weather can change quickly

• Sunscreen and sunglasses

• Water and snacks

• Camera for the beautiful scenery
  

Getting Around Inside the Park Once you're in the park, most major attractions are within walking distance of each other, though the park's east-west span is about 3 miles. Consider:

• Walking between nearby attractions

• Biking for longer distances

• Using the car-free JFK Drive as a main pedestrian/bike corridor

• Planning your visit by geographic area (eastern, central, or western park)

For more detailed information about specific attractions and their exact locations, explore our Top Attractions, Special Gardens, Great Museums, and More Goodies pages.