In all the time I’ve spent here in San Francisco, I had never thoroughly explored Golden Gate Park. It’s like going to New York City and only walking on the sidewalk around Central Park. Granted, Golden Gate Park is over 1.5 square miles, so there’s a lot of ground to cover, but it seemed rather silly that I never walked it end to end right down the middle.
So that’s just what Tucker and I intended to do.
So that’s just what Tucker and I intended to do.
Starting at Ocean Beach, we crossed the highway and entered the park near a windmill. We didn’t have access to inside of it, and I couldn’t capture the entire thing in one photo: we were directly under it and surrounded by trees. There were many paths to take. I wasn’t interested in soccer fields or tennis courts, so I aimed for the paths that wound their way through trees and shrubbery—not quite straight down the middle.
Usually the non-direct route is where you find the magic--like these amazing trees that look to have spontaneously appeared out of a storybook.
Usually the non-direct route is where you find the magic--like these amazing trees that look to have spontaneously appeared out of a storybook.
There are also some pretty cool human-made features as well.
I had wanted to walk end to end, but by the time we reached Stow Lake, only two-thirds across the park, Tucker and I had already walked over three miles. I was concerned if we walked any farther, Tuck might decide he needed a long nap on a grassy knoll before returning. So I made our new turning around point the top of Strawberry Hill—the island in the middle of Stow Lake.
With an island in the middle, though, the lake was more of moat than a proper lake. People in paddle boats rode around the waterway that encircled the hill while geese and ducks swam about and waddled along the sidewalks. I found a bridge to take us onto the island, and then we headed up to see the view.
There are trees everywhere—even on an island in the middle of a lake in the middle of the city. So views aren’t its primary purpose. It’s purpose is for you could be on an island in the middle of a lake in the middle of a city.
With an island in the middle, though, the lake was more of moat than a proper lake. People in paddle boats rode around the waterway that encircled the hill while geese and ducks swam about and waddled along the sidewalks. I found a bridge to take us onto the island, and then we headed up to see the view.
There are trees everywhere—even on an island in the middle of a lake in the middle of the city. So views aren’t its primary purpose. It’s purpose is for you could be on an island in the middle of a lake in the middle of a city.
Tucker and I rested for a bit from our meandering exploration of the park. We caught our breath, and finding no new places to look about, started the journey back while not quite backtracking.
With so many trails to try, I didn’t want to just take the same route back—not even off this tiny hill. While our ascent had been up a dirt path that wound up the hill, our way down was much more steep, involving stairs, bridges, and even… a waterfall.
With so many trails to try, I didn’t want to just take the same route back—not even off this tiny hill. While our ascent had been up a dirt path that wound up the hill, our way down was much more steep, involving stairs, bridges, and even… a waterfall.
The waterfall was surprise enough, but walking across the stepping stones of the waterfall’s pond, we came across a Chinese pagoda.
Golden Gate Park is a microcosm of the city itself. It seems small and compact, but if you really take the time to explore, you’ll find so many different, unique places to experience. Each area of the park has its own feel, from fairy tale forest to massive sporting arenas to calming lakes and waterfalls; just as the city has its unique neighborhoods of urban nightlife, sleepy suburbias, and beach town personalities.
That’s why I love this city—and the entire Bay area. It doesn’t try to be anything it’s not and it lives in harmony in its own diversity. If one block isn’t your thing, just walk a few more streets over. If you’re not a forest person, go to the beach. If you’re not big on the ocean, drive over and check out the bay instead. If you’re in social mood, and want to check out some eclectic stores, check out the Haight; if you want to be alone, head over the bridge and wander about the Marin Headlands.
By the time Tucker and I made it back to our trusty steed, our feet had padded around for 6.5 miles. Had we walked in a straight line from Ocean Beach across the city, we would have been half a mile from Oracle Park, right on the Bay. But when we hike, it’s not about getting to the farthest destination possible; our journey is the destination. And there’s a whole lot more to experience between the beach and bay.
That’s why I love this city—and the entire Bay area. It doesn’t try to be anything it’s not and it lives in harmony in its own diversity. If one block isn’t your thing, just walk a few more streets over. If you’re not a forest person, go to the beach. If you’re not big on the ocean, drive over and check out the bay instead. If you’re in social mood, and want to check out some eclectic stores, check out the Haight; if you want to be alone, head over the bridge and wander about the Marin Headlands.
By the time Tucker and I made it back to our trusty steed, our feet had padded around for 6.5 miles. Had we walked in a straight line from Ocean Beach across the city, we would have been half a mile from Oracle Park, right on the Bay. But when we hike, it’s not about getting to the farthest destination possible; our journey is the destination. And there’s a whole lot more to experience between the beach and bay.
So I guess we’ll just have to keep coming back.
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