The Japanese Garden is worth seeing but won't take too long. The real gem in Golden Gate Park is Strybing Arboretum (formally, The San Francisco Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum). That's a minimum of 2 hrs. right there.

The arboretum is great, but it's not easy to find once you are in the park. It's surrounded by tall shrubbery, and there are almost no signs. You should find it on a map before you get there. Or find a park employee and ask them. The visitors don't seem to know anything about it.

Since you will be there on a weekend, you may also want to inquire about parking ahead of time. It can be very challenging. Be very careful parking anywhere in SF. Sometimes they use parking meters in restricted spaces. You have to read the fine print INSIDE the parking meter to find out if you can park there. Yup, you guessed it right, they got me. And I am still hopping mad.

And if you take a taxi, program at least 2 of the cab companies' numbers into your cell. SF taxis DO NOT CRUISE and you must call for pickup.

The Arboretum is not that far from the Japanese tea garden (of which there are better examples around, but not in SF itself). It is across the drive, heading towards the south side of the park (Lincoln Blvd. side). There are 3 entrances into it, one main and 2 side entrances. It is one of the great horticultural gems and almost unknown to tourists.

If you have time, you might also want to drive up to the Legion of Honor museum. It overlooks the Golden Gate National Recreation area and there are several trails (watch out for flying golf balls from the golf course that bisects the grounds and Park) that you can wander along for an easy short hike in a great natural park here in the city. You are able, from some vantage points. to look INTO SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's only 2 miles from Golden Gate Park itself, an easy drive and (unusual for the city) decent parking access.

Dress warmly, and in layers. Mufflers and a knit hat are good and easy to stash in a backpack when you don't need them. Midday is usually okay for a light or medium weight jacket, but mornings and evenings are cold in our area. Particularly around the Legion of Honor/GG National Park there is a lot of wind, which makes it feel very chilly.

Don't forget the Exploratorium which is near the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marina. And China Town is a winner every time!

Penny

Also well worth a visit in Golden Gate Park in the newly refurbished Conservatory of Flowers. It's a jewel of a building with fascinating flora.

North Beach remains one of my favorite areas of the city for exploration.

Will you have a car? Across the bay bridge, into Oakland and Berkeley, there are some FABULOUS nurseries...namely:
Ace Hardware Garden Center (really! It's one of the best!) on Grand Avenue in Oakland
Longs Drug Store, at the intersection of 51st street & Broadway, in Oakland
Berkeley Horticulture, on McGee Avenue, in Berkeley
and a bit north (in Richmond, about 20-30 minutes away) is Annie's Annuals, the best nursery in the world. Really.

Amanda 'romando'

Go to China Town and the Grace Cathedral. I love San Francisco.

7 replies in 24 hours - I love this site!!

Thanks very much for the suggestions. Strybing Arboretum/Conservatory of Flowers and China Town are at the top of my list now.

We are not going to have a car, but the warnings about parking make it seem like a hassle anyway.

Thank you again for the help!

When I was a kid you could rent a bicycle for the day near the park... it might be worth looking into seeing if that is still available? I think the place that had the rentals was on Stanyon. (hey that was 30 years ago, I've since gotten my own bike)
It may be too early for the tulips by the windmill, but if not, that's worth a look too. The windmill is near the beach end of Golden Gate Park. (sorry, I can't remember the street)
Anyway, do be sure to do the layers thing (it's been kinda cold lately...)and have a great trip!!!!

Renting a bicycle on Stanyon Street at the east end of the park. When I was courting my future wife back in 47 we rented bikes from a shop on Stanyon I think his name was Ort or something like that. He would not rent you the bike unless you allowed him to adjust the seat and handle bars to your body. What memories of my youth that stirs. Al

You can rent bicycles at Stow Lake inside GG Park:
San Francisco- Golden Gate Park
50 Stow Lake Drive
Next to the Boat House
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 668-6699
(805) 688-0091

And it's too early for tulips, I'm afraid, so don't worry about going to the windmill at the west end of the park.

You didn't mention where you are staying in the city. If in the downtown or financial district: You can get a spectacular view of SF and the Bay by going to the Bank of America headquarters in downtown SF, 555 California St. @ Kearny, and having a drink after 3pm at the Bankers Club on the top floor (it's a private club during lunchtime). It shares space with the Carnelian Room restaurant (adequate food but not exciting). Sit facing northeast and the view will literally take your breath away. Big comfortable plush chairs around marble-topped tables. People fight for the tables nearest the windows so it's worth getting there early before 5p. Go only if the weather is clear, however!

Rather than staying around at the Carnelian Room for food, there are better, really excellent restaurants around that area for dinner as well (but make reservations WELL in advance, like 2-3 weeks minimum). Boulevard, Slanted Door (Vietnamese), Ame, Jeanty @Jack's, and Aqua all cost $$$ but are fabulous dining experiences.

If you are staying in the downtown area and need any recommendations on breakfast or lunch places that won't bust the budget, you can email me. I recently posted some stuff on the "other" gardening forum that we aren't allowed to mention, where they also have a travel/vacation forum and were looking for member recommendations. I'm an exec. assistant who worked in downtown SF for decades, so eating out is not only a passion but was part of my duties to make good recommendations!

Hey, now I have to come for a visit! Haven't been to SF for 10 years or more, and never to any gardens. I'm keeping this post handy.

Here's a photo of the Conservatory of Flowers circo 1881:

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It looks pretty much the same today.