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Happy 154th Birthday to Golden Gate Park

What’s 174 acres larger than NYC’s Central Park and celebrates a birthday April 4th?
By - posted 4/2/2024 No Comment
Michael Estigoy via Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0

Golden Gate Park, one of the world’s most iconic parks, turns 154 years old on April 4, 2024. More than a century-and-a-half ago, park engineer William Hammond Hall and master gardener John McLaren carved out an urban oasis from a vast, windswept expanse of sand dunes. The result: a verdant, horticulturally diverse and picturesque public park where city residents can relax and reconnect with nature.

Join in to celebrate Golden Gate Park’s 154th birthday this Thursday, April 4 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The celebration will take place in Conservatory Valley between the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers and the JFK Promenade. There will be brief remarks, entertainment, activities, photos and the cutting of the park’s birthday cake!
Want to give GGP a birthday present? Vote it as the Best City Park in the USA TODAY 10Best awards here: https://tinyurl.com/bddzm8cn
Within Golden Gate Park’s 1,017 acres (174 acres larger than New York’s Central Park) are gardens, playgrounds, lakes, picnic groves, trails, and monuments, plus an array of cultural venues, events, and activities. The park includes many opportunities for learning including the California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, and San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Volunteer to help Golden Gate Park
Volunteers commit dozens of hours to volunteer work parties within Golden Gate Park each weekend. To learn more about volunteer events, contact: recparkvolunteer@sfgov.org

14 Fun Things to Do in Golden Gate Park

The Windmills

  • Check out the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, right by the Dutch Windmill. It features thousands of tulips interspersed with Icelandic poppies, which burst into glorious flowers in spring.
  • Visit the Millwright’s Cottage near the Murphy Windmill, and check out one of the world’s tallest windmills.

Lawn Bowling Green

  • Try out Lawn Bowling
  • Enjoy a picnic on the lawn nearby and watch Lawn Bowling

Japanese Tea Garden ($)

  • Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms and green tea
  • Meditate in the Zen Garden and a stroll around the Koi Pond

Koret Children’s Playground

  • Great family time at the playground
  • Ride the historic carousel

Kezar Stadium

  • Run a mile on the track
  • Watch the SF Deltas, the City’s official soccer team, play a home game ($)

Stow Lake ($)

  • Eat pink popcorn
  • Try paddling a boat around the Lake

Bison Paddock

  • Meet the bison and watch them eat (best time varies, but it’s generally between 10 am and noon)
  • Special bird sighting including the White-crowned Sparrows and other birds near Bison Paddock and Chain of Lakes

San Francisco Recreation & Parks