Exploring Golden Gate Park and its Beautiful Lakes

Our park adventure follows paved roads as well as hidden dirt trails on an exploration of nine of Golden Gate Park’s lakes, both those formed from marshy inter-dune lakes in the “dreary waste of shifting sand hills” that was the park’s original landscape, and others that were man-made.

Our walk through the city woodlands—now flourishing on the former sand dunes—will also take us by San Francisco’s own herd of bison, waterfalls, a Chinese Pavilion, the Park’s highest point on Strawberry Hill, San Francisco’s monument to the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, a disc golf course, and the oldest continuously operating model boating organization in the western hemisphere.

Total Distance

This is a moderate hike, about 5 -1/2 miles round trip with little elevation change.

Leader

Gail MacGowan.

Weather Policy

Rain cancels.

Cost

Free, but reservations are required.

Where to Meet

We'll assemble in front of the Model Yacht Club at the 36th Avenue and Fulton Street entrance. There are restrooms near our meeting spot. Street parking is available inside the park on JFK Drive and 36th Avenue.

Notes

Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Dress in layers and wear good walking shoes. If you have questions about this outing, please email Ken Lavin at [email protected] or phone (415) 543-6771 x321.

Bison Photo Daniel Ramirez via Flickr
Boaters Photo: Mike McBey via Flickr

Gail MacGowan is a native Californian (with forebears who got here in 1852) who grew up in Salinas. She was a professional singer and recently retired from a career in nonprofit fundraising.

Gail has been leading various walks for San Francisco City Guides since 1997, including Lands End and Golden Gate Park West. She recently co-created the new City Guides walk “Applause! San Francisco’s Performing Arts Hub.”

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Greenbelt Alliance