I’m embarrassed to admit that when my husband first took me to Golden Gate Park on a visit to San Francisco, I was disappointed because it didn’t have a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I quickly learned that the park actually predates the bridge by more than 60 years. At 1,017 acres, Golden Gate Park is home not just to athletic fields and walking paths, but also to curated gardens, world-renowned museums, and the oldest public playground in the United States. Golden Gate Park is place you have to take your kids,, if you are visiting the city.
Walking under towering cypress trees, relaxing in sprawling meadows, and exploring the park’s museums and gardens has now become part of our family’s homeschool rhythm. It is one of our favorite places in the city.
Here are our favorite 10 kid-friendly things to do in Golden Gate Park for free.
1. Koret Playground (Children’s Quarter)
Free Hours: Daily
Address: 320 Bowling Green Dr, San Francisco, CA 94117
On the site of the oldest public playground in the country sits Koret Children’s Quarter. Built into the landscaping, it features multiple play structures, a wave-shaped climbing wall, and the iconic concrete slide.
My kids have spent hours here, especially on the giant slide. Pro tip: bring a piece of cardboard, it helps you slide faster and saves your pants.
2. Japanese Tea Garden
Free Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday before 10 am
Free for San Francisco residents daily
Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Opened in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest of its kind in the United States. My kids love wandering the stone footpaths and crossing the arched Drum Bridge.
Our favorite time to visit is in the fall, when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold.
3. de Young Museum
Free Admission: First Tuesday of the month
Free for Bay Area residents every Saturday
Address: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
The de Young houses American art from the 17th century onward, as well as African, Oceanic, and art from the Americas. Exploring the collection feels like walking through world history. My preschoolers and my teen both find something that captures their imagination.
I especially love the California landscape paintings because it is fun to see how artists experienced the same places we know so well.
4. Hamon Observation Tower
Free Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Address: Inside the de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Inside the de Young is the Hamon Tower, which offers a free 360-degree view of Golden Gate Park and the city skyline. Near the elevator there is even a small display of Ruth Asawa’s art.
My kids love spotting familiar landmarks from above, it feels like a real-life scavenger hunt.
5. San Francisco Botanical Garden
Free Admission:
Daily from 7:30–9 am
Free Day: Second Tuesday of the month, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Free daily for San Francisco residents
Address: 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
At 55 acres and home to more than 8,000 plant species, the Botanical Garden is almost half the size of Disneyland.
We usually start with a picnic on the Great Meadow, then wander into a section or two. Note that many paths are not stroller-friendly, so it is smart to plan meeting points if you are exploring with little ones.
6. Blue Heron Lake and Strawberry Hill
Free Hours: Daily
Address: JFK and MLK Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118
A paved trail circles Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake), but the real adventure begins when you cross the stone bridge to Strawberry Hill.
You can take the steep staircase through the trees or the winding main trail to the top. Highlights include Huntington Falls and the Golden Gate Pavilion, a Chinese pagoda gifted by Taipei in 1976.
7. JFK Promenade
Free Hours: Daily
Address: John F. Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121
Looking for a spot to scooter or bike? JFK Promenade is a 1.5-mile car-free stretch that runs from Blue Heron Lake past the Tea Garden, de Young, and Conservatory of Flowers.
Closed to traffic in 2020, it is now filled with art installations, lawn games, and public pianos. In summer, there are free concerts and food trucks on weekends. My kids’ favorite is Naga, the 100-foot sea serpent sculpture that rests in Rainbow Falls Pond.
8. Conservatory of Flowers
Free Days: First Tuesday of the month
Free daily for San Francisco residents (closed Wednesdays)
Free for veterans
Address: 100 John F. Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Opened in 1879, this Victorian-era glasshouse is the oldest building in the park. It is home to 1,700 species of aquatic and tropical plants, including a century-old Imperial philodendron and occasional corpse flowers.
Inside, the lush greenery and ornate architecture feel like stepping into another world. My kids love peeking around corners to discover plants bigger than they are.
9. Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden
Free Hours: Daily
Address: 1691 John F. Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121
On the park’s western edge, the Dutch Windmill towers over a beautifully manicured flower garden. In late winter (late February through early April), tulips bloom in vibrant colors, but seasonal flowers brighten the space throughout the year.
We have enjoyed many read-alouds and picnics under the windmill.
10. Bison Paddock
Free Hours: Daily
Address: 1237 John F. Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121
Yes, real bison live in Golden Gate Park. Though tucked away northwest of the Polo Field, it is one of the park’s quirkiest features and a favorite trivia fact.
We do not make it there often, but every time we do, it feels like discovering a hidden piece of San Francisco history.
Bonus: Almost-Free Favorite
Koret Children’s Carousel
This 1914 carousel is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Rides cost $2.50 for adults, $1 for kids ages 6–12, and are free for children under 5 with a paying adult.
More Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids
If you enjoyed this guide, check out more of our favorite family-friendly activities in the city:
Seven Founding Hills 
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