Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park
Day Three began with sunshine and a little lingering fog—the perfect weather for a visit to Golden Gate Park!
Even after several visits, I still find this park a little intimidating.
Covering more than 1,000 acres, Golden Gate Park is larger than both London's Hyde Park and New York City's Central Park. It's home to museums, gardens, memorials, and some of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks.
You can certainly explore the park in a day, but you'll need several visits to appreciate everything it has to offer.
The biggest challenge? Cost.
While the park itself is free, parking can be expensive, and admission to some of the museums can be downright outrageous!
We arrived at Golden Gate Park around 8:00 a.m., hoping to take advantage of the Japanese Tea Garden's free morning admission. Arriving early paid off, and we enjoyed the garden before the crowds arrived.
We had the tea garden almost entirely to ourselves when it opened. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility. So beautiful and for any fan of Japanese culture, gardens, or tea, this is a great way to start the day! 😂
Twenty years ago, I stood on one of the Japanese Tea Garden's bridges and had my photograph taken. I couldn't resist recreating it this time. Twenty years older, a few more wrinkles, and a whole lot more adventures behind me! My sister and niece joined in, too. Sometimes returning to a familiar place is just as wonderful as discovering somewhere new.
Chinese Pavilion
We continued to the Chinese Pavilion near Blue Heron Lake, another beautiful little treasure tucked away in the park. A gift from Taipei to San Francisco, its colorful architecture was a lovely complement to our morning at the Japanese Tea Garden.
Between the two, we were having quite the Asian cultural adventure! 😂
Our next destination was the Dutch Windmill and its surrounding gardens.
Sunset Dunes
An unexpected beach adventure wasn't on our itinerary, but we loved every minute of it.
Unfortunately, my sense of direction had other plans. 😂
While attempting to find the windmill, we accidentally drove out of Golden Gate Park. Then, while trying to find our way back, we somehow ended up near the sand dunes!
Well, when travel hands you lemons…
We decided to explore!
Eventually, we found our way back to the park and reached the Dutch Windmill.
Built in the early twentieth century, the windmill originally pumped water to irrigate the park. Today, it's a restored historic landmark.
The nearby Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden wasn't exactly overflowing with tulips in October. 😂
Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Gardens
But there were sunflowers, and the gardens were still beautiful.
We wanted to see a Treasures of the Pharaohs exhibit at the de Young museum, but it was closed on Mondays (one of the few times I forgot to do my research!)
We had a marvelous day at the park and read that the Botanical Garden was also free before 9:00AM so we planned a part 2 the next day and set off for our next stop, Sutro Baths.
Our next stop was Sutro Baths, the ruins of a once-magnificent public swimming complex overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Lands End.
Opened in 1896, the enormous facility featured multiple swimming pools, elaborate architecture, and an ingenious system for bringing ocean water into the baths.
But Sutro Baths also played a role in California's civil rights history.
In 1897, a Black San Francisco resident named John Harris was denied access to the pools because of his race. He challenged the discrimination under California's Dibble Civil Rights Act and won his case.
Although the damages awarded were small, the case represented an important early victory against racial discrimination in California.
Over the following decades, the enormous cost of maintaining the facility contributed to its decline. A devastating fire in 1966 destroyed the remaining complex.
Today, the ruins are preserved within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Reaching the lower ruins involves steep stairs and uneven, sometimes sandy terrain. It's worth exploring if you're comfortable with the descent but take your time and watch your footing.
We enjoyed the rocky coastline, explored the ruins, and stopped for our charcuterie-style picnic.
And, of course, I collected another National Parks Passport stamp!
Palace of Fine Arts Rotunda
We drove to the Palace of Fine Arts again and finally got to enjoy this magnificent building. Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts is one of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks. This might be one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. Pure beauty and peace… with a little history thrown in. 😉
By this point, my niece had become completely obsessed with San Francisco's cable cars.
So naturally, another ride was a must!
We'd driven to Golden Gate Park earlier because getting there by public transportation would have required a combination of buses and streetcars. But for the second half of our day, we were happy to return to the cable cars.
We rode the California Line downtown and made our way toward the Ferry Building, enjoying the architecture, public art, and views of boats crossing the Bay.
Dinner was at Joyride Pizza, just steps from the Ferry Building.
The pizza was wonderful! A little pricey, perhaps, but since we'd been snacking throughout the day, we decided it was worth the splurge.
After wandering downtown a little longer, we headed back toward our hotel.
We had hoped to catch the Powell–Mason cable car, but at the transfer point on Taylor, we waited.
And waited.
And waited. 😂
Eventually, we decided to take the Powell–Hyde line instead.
By then, the evening chill had arrived, and we unanimously agreed that Ghirardelli was calling our names.
Again.
After one last chocolate treat, we walked the short distance back to our hotel.
It was bittersweet knowing we'd be leaving San Francisco the following day.
But we weren't quite finished!
We still had plans to visit the Botanical Garden and the Wave Organ before heading toward home.
The Holly Abroad Way — A Few Things We Learned Today
Plan for more than one visit: Golden Gate Park is enormous. Don't try to see everything in one day.
Take advantage of free admission: Check museum and garden hours before your trip. Some attractions offer free admission during specific periods.
Double-check opening days: Many museums close on Mondays. Even experienced travelers occasionally forget! 😂
Know your limits: Sutro Baths has steep stairs and uneven terrain. Take your time, and don't feel obligated to explore every corner.
Leave room for detours: Sometimes getting lost leads to an unexpected beach adventure!
Budget for the experiences that matter: Not everything needs to be a paid attraction. A picnic overlooking the ocean can be just as memorable as an expensive museum.
