Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Things To Do In San Francisco: More of Golden Gate Park

                              
                           
Golden Gate Park has a lot of open space (it is bigger than Central Park).  Aside from the major features, such as the museums, there are a lot of minor attractions to visit as well.  There seem to be monuments at every corner, nestled next to gardens, sports fields, and lakes.  In fact, every time I visit, I take so many pictures that I need to divide them into several posts.  I had previously showed you a few landmarks  around the park, and this time I am back to show you a few more. 

A view of the California Academy of Sciences  across the Music Concourse, with Sutro Tower (the large antenna) in the background.

Concrete sphinxes in front of the de Young Museum, created in 1910.

This bronze vase was designed by Paul Gustave Dore in 1878.  Originally created for French winemakers at the 1878 Paris World's Fair.   In the detail, figures from the ancient classical rite of Bacchus (the Roman god of wine) protect the vines and ensure the quality of the grapes. This was eventually purchased by M.H. deYoung in 1894.
  

I am not exactly sure what these lovely flowers are, but I wish I had them in my garden.  Does anyone know?

The Junipero Serra Monument was installed in 1907.  He was a Franciscan monk who founded missions in California in the 1700's.

 DonQuixote and Sancho Panza kneeling before a bust of Cervantes, created 1916. 

Thomas Starr King statue from 1892.  He was influential in California politics during the American Civil War.  

Monument to poet Robert Burns, dedicated in 1908, complete with random accordion musician.  

William McKinnon statue, dating to 1927.   He was chaplain of the California regiment that served during the Spanish-American War in the Philippines.
Statue of Italian composer, Verdi
Australian tree ferns in the Fern Dell

The Conservatory of Flowers.  I haven't visited yet, but it is on my list.

Hopefully, once I visit I can explain this.
  

The Food Truck revolution, represent!
  
Spreckels Temple of Music, in the Music Concourse (also pictured here).  
View of the Music Concourse, from the Spreckles Temple of Music stage.

 I still have so many things that I want to see in the park.  I hope that one day I can get to all of them.  The temperamental weather just needs to cooperate with me:)

If you come to the San Francisco area, you can walk (or drive, but walking would be the preferred method) around the park and see all of this for free.   Have you been to the park?  What was your favorite thing?  Anything that you would call a "must see"?  If you have not yet visited, what would you like to see most?

20 comments:

Ann said...

What a lovely place...
And your pics are stunning.

Ginny said...

GG park is such an amazing place! and i wish, we had food trucks (serving REAL mexican food) here in vienna, too. :-)

Anonymous said...

Amazing all the things you can see there@ I am absolutely dying to go. For me after seeing this pictures I am most interested to see the vase created for French winemakers. The details are so amazing and the french in me is curious!

rooth said...

I have never been but it's on my list of places to go. The dinosaur bursting out the top of the conservatory is quite hilarious and would definitely draw me in

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

We only had half a day to explore Golden Gate Park the last time I visited SF but if we return we will definitely set aside more time. I loved the Tea Garden and Arboretum. I def. want to visit the Conservatory and find out more about that dinosaur lol.

Rowena @ rolala loves

aki! said...

This really reminds me a bit of Balboa park in San Diego!

Stephanie said...

I really need to explore more of GG park. I love Strawberry Hill/Stow Lake, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and the tulip gardens (and totally random Dutch windmill). I've never been to the de Young or the conservatory of flowers, though. They're def on my list!

Elle Sees said...

Robert burns wrote auld Lange syne!

E said...

It all looks so gorgeous! Definitely a place to check out next time I'm in San Fran.

Suz said...

Thank-you for the wonderful tour taken with your beautiful photos.
Would love to go-missed it the last time I was there.

honey my heart said...

you've inspired me to explore more of gg park when i visit sf! i really want to see the conservatory of flowers.

Amy's Fashion Blog said...

great pictures

Jamie said...

I've been to the city more than once but have yet to visit the GG park! When I got to that dinosaur head I laughed out loud - and really needed that today!

Liz - So Much to Smile About said...

This all looks fantastic and beautiful!

Antonella C’est Moi said...

Beautiful photos...kisses

Tina L. Hook said...

All of these statues are intriguing, especially the bronze vase. Stunning!

You live in a gorgeous part of the country.

Mary Ann said...

What gorgeous photos - I've always wanted to visit San Fran but haven't made it out there yet. ;-)

La Maman Heureuse said...

Wow, that looks like an amazing park, beautiful pics btw. Really curious about the dino in the Conservatory of Flowers LOL

Lorena said...

I was in SF a few years ago and did not make it to the Golden Gate Park - i love the pictures i see i missed out - however the sphinx scare me.

Lorena said...

Forgot to say my favorite, which is actually the reason I went was the Palace of Fine Arts - from the Panama Pacific International Expo - it's my mecca!

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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