Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Things To Do In San Francisco: Golden Gate Park

One of the best things about San Francisco is the space set aside for parks.  There are lots of green spaces where locals can walk their dogs, have a picnic, get some exercise, or just hang around outdoors.  Golden Gate Park is one of my favorite destinations, with over 1000 acres (larger than Central Park) of fun things to do .  I have only done a few of them, but hope to get back soon and see more.  Here are some things you can see by just driving around the park.  


The main plaza area is called the Music Concourse.  It is a sunken in area with statues, fountains, and many pollarded trees planted in grids.


One of the many statues in the park, Robert Emmet.  Not exactly sure what he has to do with the park or San Francisco.


Statue of Francis Scott Key.  Not really sure what he had to do with the park either.  I didn't really take this from the right angel, but the design was noteworthy enough for me to still include it here.  


The M.H. de Young Memorial Museum (known simply as the de Young Museum) houses many collections of fine art.  I haven't actually been inside yet, but I hope to go one day soon.


This is the California Academy of Sciences, which is one of the largest natural history museums in the world.  I have been, and it is definitely worth your time if you are in the area.  You can literally spend hours at the Steinhart Aquarium alone. I have a post coming up on this soon.


Spreckels Temple of Music (also called the bandshell) has hosted many musical events.


The park has been home to bison since the early 1890's.  They were moved here in an effort to breed them and keep their numbers from dwindling.  This has been a successful project.


The park has two windmills; a Dutch Windmill and Murphy's Windmill (pictured below).  


They are really beautiful when you seem the from the coast. 


 If you are ever in the area and don't have much time or money, you can see all of these things (from the outside) for free.  There are many more things to do in Golden Gate Park that I haven't mentioned, and I hope to have more adventures there at a later date.  Have you been to the park?  What was your favorite thing to see there?

24 comments:

Gawgus things... said...

The Better Half and I were only talking the other day about how we want to go to San Fran!
Emma xx

Magdalena said...

So many beautiful things to see!! I hope to visit some day..

xoxoxo

rooth said...

Holy cow! We were wondering what those trees were called and knew there had to be a name - pollarded. That is so incredibly helpful!

Mal said...

Great photos! Looks wonderful

Mal @ The Chic Geek

Katie said...

you've GOT to stop tempting my $0 budget with these fab Bay area guides...

The Blonde Duck said...

I want to go!

E said...

Next time I'm in the Bay Area I'll definitely be checking this park out. For days... :)

Stephanie said...

I've been but I definitely want to explore it some more. The botanical gardens (also free) and the Japanese tea gardens (free for SF'ers) were pretty awesome!

Stephanie said...

Can I even tell you the epic people watching we experienced in this park? One of the highlights of our trip to SF.

chantal marie said...

how cool! i still havent been yet, but i just bought a guide book this weekend and plan to start doing all the touristy stuff!

Ana said...

I love that park. We are there all the time. The Japanese tea garden is my favorite! SO pretty and calm there :)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

My friend just got back from a SF trip and she said it was amazing!

twiggy@thedirtlife said...

those crazy looking trees...i think i saw them in that movie 'contagion'. did you see it?

Loulou said...

Oh how I've always wanted to go to San Francisco. I hear so many wonderful things about it! If I go, no rather, when I go, I'll be sure to visit this lovely park.

Loulou

Jax said...

Girl, you keep making me want to go to San Fransisco!! everything looks so pretty :)

Rod and Alex - aka: "Rolex" said...

I love Golden Gate Park!
I need to go see the bison! I've never seen them there!

Elle Sees said...

So many memories of those places!

Lorena said...

Wow bisons there ?
I know you showed many beautiful places but for some reason the bisons captured my attention.
Ive been to San Francisco and every time you have these posts I realize how much more there is to see.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

We had a picnic at Golden Gate Park when I visited in SF and it was one of my favorite places that we went to. Seeing the bisons was surprising but also very cool and I did also enjoy the windmills.

Thanks for your kind well wishes Erin! I'm actually feeling pretty good right now so I'm living it up while it lasts :)

rolala loves

Traveling Distances said...

I went to the DeYoung museum and walked from there to the Dutch Windmill and the beach. There's so much to do at the park- I'd love to go back and see everything there is to see there.

Bad Joan said...

Looks lovely! Next time I'm up there I have to check it out!

GTBB,
http://badjoan.blogspot.com
http://cookingjoan.blogspot.com

Nail Dazzler Nails said...

Looks like a lovely park :)

Carly said...

The park looks stunning - perfect for a sunny day!
xx

jesica partos said...

Nice! thank you so much! Thank you for sharing. Your blog posts are more interesting and informative.
things to do in San Francisco

I'm Erin

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Hi, I'm Erin. I am living back on the east coast after 15 years out west. Currently readjusting to humidity and mosquitos. I love to take pictures and read fashion magazines.... and to talk about nothing in particular (ok, and my dogs).

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