Golden Gate Park (West)


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For a summary of park features with point-by-point locations, see the Golden Gate Park guide map. See also Historic Images and Postcards.

Now: The western section of Golden Gate Park contains fewer celebrated attractions, but the meadows, paths, and lakes offer a greater chance to lose oneself in hidden pockets of idyllic scenery.

Then: This side of the park was apparently the most difficult to originally develop, because of the proximity to the ocean and the strong winds that uprooted anything planted in the sandy ground. The Dutch Windmill at the park's northwest edge was built in 1902 to power irrigation to the park from underground water sources.

How To Get There: The west side of Golden Gate Park has many access points. It's easy to park along Fulton Street in this area anad enter from the north. 41st Avenue in the Outer Sunset leads directly into the Chain of Lakes area from the south side. The west edge, with the Beach/Park Chalet and the Dutch Windmill, is also accessible by crossing the Great Highway from Ocean Beach (there is a parking lot on the beach side).

For much more information on Golden Gate Park, see Christopher Pollock's impeccably researched and beautifully written book, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.


Bordering the 36th Avenue entrance at its west edge, Spreckels is home to the model boat club. Lacking current from streams or waterfalls, the expanse of water is still as glass. The clubhouse is just opposite the lake, to the west. A little traffic island dividing JFK Drive and the 36th Avenue entrance is planted with Rhododendrons in season.

  • Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate Park, between JFK Drive and Fulton Street, near 36th Avenue

  • View over Spreckels Lake to the north, toward Fulton Street

  • Turtles at Spreckels Lake

  • Model boat at the shore of Spreckels Lake, near sign with incorrect spelling

  • Model Boat Club, just southwest of Spreckels Lake

  • Rhododendron Island, just south of Spreckels Lake


Named in 1918, this curved valley of a meadow catches luxurious amounts of shade in the late afternoon. Along with Speedway and Marx Meadows, this area is filled with thousands of people during summer and fall concert events.

  • Sign marking the edge of Lindley Meadow, on JFK Drive

  • The edge of JFK Drive at Lindley Meadow

  • Trees in Lindley Meadow

  • Lindley Meadow, between JFK Drive and Polo Field

  • The far west section of Lindley Meadow

  • West edge of Lindley Meadow, from the path near the Stables and Polo Field


Reportedly closed for repairs, the stable area adjacent to the Polo Fields has been abandoned for some time.

  • Shacks at the Golden Gate Park Stables, north of the Polo Field

  • From inside the courtyard at the closed Golden Gate Park Stables

  • Field in the closed Golden Gate Park Stables

  • Horses in the Police Stables, west of the Golden Gate Park Stables


Plans to build a larger and more elaborate stadium on this site came and went during the early 1900s. Used most often now for soccer, it's a vast reminder of what might have been. A par course wraps around the west and south edge of the Polo Field.

  • Trees off of walking path near Polo Field

  • Path along north edge of Polo Field

  • Polo Field (also known as Soccer Fields)

  • West side of the Polo Field

  • Soccer Fields, aka Polo Field

  • Entrance to the Polo Field on the west side

  • Polo Field, facing north

  • Entrance to the Polo Field from the south side

  • Polo Field from the south

  • Dressage Ring, west of the Polo Field

  • Par Course near the Polo Field

  • Path near the Dressage Ring, west of the Polo Field


A walking path along the south edge of Golden Gate Park extends in segments all the way from the west edge of the park to 19th Avenue near the Breon Gate. It stretches through secluded wood areas between Lincoln Way outside the park and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive inside the park.

  • Entrance to Golden Gate Park at Sunset Boulevard

  • Path along Lincoln Way, east of Sunset Boulevard

  • Walking path along the south edge of Golden Gate Park


Pentaque is a French game played with metals balls on a hard surface, dating back to 1907. Like the Horseshoe Courts this field is a quaint relic of a park feature dedicated to an antiquated recreational activity.

  • Picnic Area near the Senior Center at Fulton Street and 37th Avenue

  • Entrance to the Pentaque Field

  • Pentaque Field, opposite the Dog Training Area


This dry, fenced-in area is reserved for off-leash dog play. This is one of only four areas in Golden Gate Park where dogs are allowed off leash. The other three are the Dog Run areas just west of Whiskey Hill, the one at the park's far northeast corner, north of the Horseshoe Courts, and the one between MLK Drive and Middle Drive West, just south of the Polo Field.

  • Dog Training Area, near Fulton Street at 39th Avenue

  • Dog Training Area

  • Road just west of Spreckels Lake


Of the variety of animals housed in the park to entertain visitors in its early days, only these few bison (aka buffalo) remain. Introduced to the park in 1891 when their population was dangerously low, the bison are cared for by the staff of the San Francisco Zoo.

  • Sign at the front of the Bison Paddock

  • Bison Paddock, off of JFK Drive at about 38th Avenue

  • Bison inside the enclosure


Dedicated in 1938, these shallow concrete pools do not contain fish - only targets for fly casting practice. The accompanying Angler's Lodge also dates back to the depression era. 415-386-2630.

  • Fly Casting Pools, west of the Polo Fields

  • Angler's Lodge, at the Fly Casting Pools

  • Grassy meadow south of the Fly Casting Pools


Sculpted from existing natural marshes, the Chain of Lakes feature the tall grasses and willows native to the area. The North Lake is the largest of the three in the chain, with an irregular shape and small islands jutting from the shallow water. A walking path follows the lake shore all the way around, and blackberry bushes dominate the banks on the west side.

  • Path from Dutch Windmill splits to the left, toward the North Lake

  • Wooded area close to the North Lake

  • Path leading to the North Lake

  • Chain of Lakes, in the west section of Golden Gate Park

  • Part of North Lake, at the west edge of Chain of Lakes Drive

  • The North Lake, in the Chain of Lakes

  • Looking south across the North Lake

  • Looking south across the North Lake

  • Benches around the edge of the North Lake

  • Walking path around the North Lake

  • Clearing on the east side of the North Lake

  • Bridge on the west side of the North Lake

  • Stairway leading up to JFK Drive from the North Lake

  • JFK Drive, at the top of the steps leading up from the North Lake

  • Chain of Lakes Drive, where it crosses JFK Drive


Of the three lakes, the Middle Lake most resembles the original marshes that dominated this area. Its grassy west shore borders Chain of Lakes Drive, and paths follow its rough edges around the thick trees on the east side.

  • Middle Lake, part of the Chain of Lakes

  • Trees at Middle Lake

  • Bench near Middle Lake, in the Chain of Lakes


Bordering MLK Drive, the small South Lake has grassy slopes and benches along its shore. An elongated meadow sits between the Middle and South Lakes, bordered by trees on all sides.

  • Walking path along Chain of Lakes Drive, between Middle Lake and South Lake

  • The South Lake, from the north side

  • Intersection of JFK Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive

  • The South Lake, part of the Chain of Lakes

  • The banks of the South Lake at MLK Drive

  • Blossoms at South Lake in early spring

  • Path next to the South Lake, leading out to MLK Drive

  • Intersection of MLK Drive and 41st Avenue, near the South Lake

  • MLK Drive at 41st Avenue, near Chain of Lakes Drive


The premier spot in the park for running horses around in a circle. This fenced in ring of dry dirt is just west of Chain of Lakes Drive. No permit needed to bring horses into the park or ride on designated bridle paths.

  • Path from JFK Drive just southwest of the North Lake

  • Palms near pathway between JFK Drive and Bercut Equitation Field

  • Path just west of the Bercut Equitation Field

  • Bercut Equitation Field, near the Chain of Lakes

  • Bercut Equitation Field, from Chain of Lakes Drive

  • Wooded paths north of the Equitation Field


A flat field with a row of stuffed bales against a bushy incline. Use of this field is free, but you need to bring your own equipment, including targets. Just don't play in the bushes behind the bales.

  • The Archery Field, near Fulton and 47th Avenue

  • Trees in west side of Golden Gate Park near Chain of Lakes Drive

  • Wooded area north of the Golf Course and west of the North Lake


The official Golden Gate Park map and guide refers to this 9-hole course as "short but tricky". Dedicated in 1951, the course features a restaurant and is open every day. Reservations not required - availability is first come, first served. Adult Green Fee is $14 Monday through Thursday, and $19 Friday through Sunday. 415-751-8987. Website.

  • Entrance to the Golden Gate Park Golf Course

  • Golden Gate Park Golf Course

  • Inside the Golden Gate Park Golf Course

  • Restaurant in the Golden Gate Park Golf Course

  • Golf Course, from the south side, facing north

  • Cypress trees in the Golf Course


Completed in 1908, this was meant to be a bigger sequel to the already successful Dutch Windmill. Apparently an oustanding example of turn-of-the-century mechanical ingenuity, its sails were the longest in the world for this type of windmill. The site has been under renovation since 2000, and reports indicate that the top portion of the windmaill has been restored and shipped back from the Netherlands as of late 2009. The nearby playground is a little ocean-themed oasis bordering Lincoln Way and 45th Avenue.

  • Path off of MLK Drive, just west of Chain of Lakes Drive

  • Walking path leading from MLK Drive toward the West Playground

  • Path leading from the West Playground to Lincoln Way at 45th Avenue

  • Picnic Area and Playground near Lincoln Way and 46th Avenue, near the west end of Golden Gate Park

  • Playground near Lincoln Way and 46th Avenue

  • Murphy Windmill (aka South Windmill) under renovation


These vast fields, bordering the tree-lined western edge of Golden Gate Park, are available free by reservation for soccer. New fields may be added in the torn-up area south of the existing ones, where a water treatment facility used to be. Free, reservations required. 415-831-5510.

  • Entrance to the Beach Chalet Soccer Fields, from the west stretch of JFK Drive

  • Soccer Fields from the entrance and parking lot on the west side

  • Looking north across the Soccer Fields

  • Beach Chalet Soccer Fields, from the west side

  • Wooded path along the far west edge of Golden Gate Park

  • Section of the park under development, between the soccer fields and Murphy Windmill


The current building housing the Beach Chalet and Park Chalet opened in 1925. The visitors center on the ground floor is decorated with 1930s frescoes painted by Lucien Laboudt, depicting scenes and local personalities of the era. The Park Chalet has an indoor bar area, and outdoor lawn seating. 415-386-8439. Website.

  • Front of the Beach Chalet

  • Looking toward the Ocean from the front of the Beach Chalet

  • Roald Amundsen Memorial, next to the Beach Chalet

  • Visitors Center, inside the Beach Chalet

  • 1930s Lucien Laboudt fresco paintings in the Visitors Center

  • Frescoes inside the Beach Chalet Visitors Center

  • Elevator doorway leading to the Park Chalet from the Visitors Center

  • Inside the Park Chalet

  • In the back area of the Park Chalet

  • The Park Chalet at the west edge of Golden Gate Park, on a weekday

  • The Park Chalet on a Sunday afternoon

  • Park Chalet Garden, just east of the Chalet


Designed to pump fresh water from below ground to irrigate the park, this windmill began operating in 1903. Electric pumps began to be used over the next decade, and both this windmill and its southern counterpart (the Murphy Windmill) fell to disuse and disrepair. A restoration of the Dutch Windmill was completed in 1981, and it is a purely decorative icon now. The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden features a blanket of tulips in bloom during February and March.

  • The Dutch Windmill

  • The Dutch Windmill and garden

  • Visitors to the Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhemina Tulip Garden

  • People taking pictures at the Dutch Windmill and Tulip Gardens

  • Sign at the entrance to the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

  • The Tulip Garden, looking south from the Windmill

  • Directly underneath the base of the Dutch Windmill

  • Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Gardens, at the foot of the Dutch Windmill

  • The Dutch Windmill, from a southeast vantage point

  • The Dutch Windmill, from behind

  • Tree grove just south of the Dutch Windmill

  • Path on the south side of the Dutch Windmill and Tulip Garden

  • Further on the path, behind the Dutch Windmill

  • Crossing 47th Avenue on the path from the Dutch Windmill


Inscribed boulder marking the west entrance to Golden Gate Park at the edge of the Great Highway and Pacific Ocean. This is steps away from the Beach Chalet, and across the Great Highway from the Pacific Ocean.

  • The west end of JFK Drive, and Golden Gate Park, at the Pacific Ocean

  • West entrance to Golden Gate Park, at the Great Highway

  • Looking across the Great Highway to the Pacific Ocean, from the west entrance to Golden Gate Park