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SF’s Huge 150-Foot Ferris Wheel Opens “Late October”

After sitting silent and half-built for 6 months in Golden Gate Park, “Skystar” is set to open finally in “late October”
By - posted 9/30/2020 No Comment

A huge observation wheel intended to be a centerpiece of Golden Gate Park’s 150th Anniversary celebrations on in April has sat dormant after being partially constructed at the beginning of COVID-19.

Because there was no great place to store a 15-story wheel, it was decided the best move was to install it anyway on a custom-poured concrete pad in between the de Young and Academy of Sciences and have it sit quietly (without the 36 gondola viewing capsules) while we wait for things to return to normal.

According to a press release from the Mayor’s office on September 29, “The Observation Wheel is currently under construction and is expected to open by the end of October.

The observation wheel was originally set to open on April 4th, 2020 (with a free community day) and operate through March 1st, 2021.

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It’s located in Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse, the outdoor plaza near the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Garden. The wheel features 36 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that each seat six passengers.

Will There Be A Free Day Like Was Originally Planned?
We don’t know. There haven’t been any updates at goldengatepark150.com yet. The previous plan was for rides to be free during the April 4, 2020 parkwide celebration. Originally tickets were planned to be Adults $18, kids (Under 13) and Seniors $12, but we don’t have any updates for the reopening.