Golden Gate Park - Dolores ParkGOLDEN GATE PARK
"Golden
Gate Park -- the ultimate haven away from urban chaos!"
sfgate.com  Over
1,000 acres of family friendly, beautiful park with dozens of
attractions & sights. Golden Gate Park was deeded to the people of
San Francisco over 130 years ago in the assumption that one day they
would need an escape from the over population of the city. Boy were
they right!This once sand dune land is visited by over 75,000 people on an average weekend and believe it or not, it doesn't ever feel crowded. You could spend a whole day in the park and still not see everything it has to offer. Some of the local favorites are the Conservatory of Flowers, Shakespeare's Theatre, Japanese Tea Gardens, Buffalo Paddock, Spreckels Lake and so much more.  HOW TO GET HERE Take MUNI Bus 5, 7, 18, 21, 28, 29, 33, 44, 71 (see Map to determine exit) or MUNI Metro N-Judah (exit Stanyan or 9th Ave.) MUSEUMS & GARDENS:
POINTS OF INTEREST: AIDS Memorial Grove: Bowling Green Drive and Middle Drive East Arts & Crafts: Near the Children's Playground at the far eastern end of the park, just north of Kezar Drive. Beach Chalet and Park Chalet: Great views, lots of beer & good food. 1000 Great Highway (between Fulton and Lincoln streets) Buffalo Paddock: Next to Spreckels Lake. Children's Playground: Located at MLK and Bowling Green drives McLaren Lodge: Located at Fell and Stanyan streets, Opera in the Park: In September, SF Opera's annual free outdoor concert features arias and operatic excerpts by current artists of the San Francisco Opera, accompanied by the acclaimed San Francisco Opera Orchestra. In Sharon Meadow. Picnic Grounds: Barbecue pits are located between Marx Meadow and Speedway Meadow, near JFK Drive Rose Garden: Located between Fulton Avenue and John F. Kennedy Drive at Park Presidio Boulevard Portals of the Past At Lloyd Lake: between JFK Drive and Cross-Over-Drive. Rhododendron Island: Next to Spreckels Lake Strawberry Hill: This naturally formed island in the middle of Stow Lake is 428 feet high, thus affording great views of the surrounding park, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tamalpais. A good day hike, with lush foliage, trees and an artificial waterfall. Windmills and the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden: Two historic windmills sit at the west end of the park. The Dutch (North) Windmill was completed in 1902. The Murphy (South) Windmill was built in 1905 and was the largest windmill of its kind in the world. ACTIVITIES: Archery: An archery field lies just north of the golf course. Equipment can be rented at San Francisco Archery Shop. The field is located on Fulton Street between 45th and 46th avenues. The shop is at 3795 Balboa St., (415) 751-2776. Basketball: Panhandle, located at the eastern end of the park on Masonic Street, between Oak and Fell streets. Biking and Skating: 7 miles of paved trails lead you by waterfalls and gardens. JFK Drive and some other streets are closed to cars on Sundays, making cycling and skating safer and more fun. Equipment can be rented at:
Skates on Haight: 1818 Haight St., (415) 752-8375 Dog Runs: There are three areas for your dog to play in: the southeast section bordered by Lincoln Way, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 5th and 7th avenues; the northeast section off Stanyan Street, between Hayes and Fulton streets; and the western section, bordered by MLK Jr. and Middle drives and 34th and 38th avenues. There is also a dog-training area at 38th Avenue and Fulton Street. Fly-Fishing: Near JFK Drive and 36th Avenue, (415) 386-2630. Golf: A nine-hole public golf course is located at the west end of the park. The clubhouse entrance is near 47th Avenue, between JFK Drive and Fulton Street. (415) 751-8987. Handball: 2 indoor & outdoor courts. Reservations are not necessary, and the courts are open every day. Located on Middle Drive East, between MLK Jr. and Bowling Green drives. Horseshoes: Players must supply all equipment. Located off Conservatory Drive. Kezar Stadium: The 10,000-seat stadium includes an all-weather track for public use. Teams can reserve the field for various sports. 755 Stanyan St. (415) 753-7032. Lawn Bowling: The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club manages three greens and offers free lessons. Located at Bowling Green Drive, between Middle Drive East and MLK Jr. Drive, (415) 487-8787 Lindy in the Park: Swing dancing every Sunday (weather permitting), from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free beginner's lesson at 12:30 p.m. On JFK Drive between 9th and 10th avenues. Pétanque: Players must bring their own equipment. The court is located opposite 38th Avenue. Spreckels Lake: Model boats motor and sail at this artificial lake at Kennedy Drive and 35th Avenue. Stow Lake: This beautiful lake is the largest in the park. It serves as the park's principal reservoir. Paddleboats and rowboats can be rented at the northwestern side of the lake. (415) 752-0347 Tennis Courts: 21 courts are located at the eastern end of the park. Reservations are not accepted for weekday play, but they are for weekends and holidays. Ultimate Frisbee: Speedway Meadow Go from San Francisco Golden Gate Park to Neighborhoods
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