Golden Gate Park
One of the things that you need to know about Golden Gate Park is that it’s huge. It covers 1,017 acres of San Francisco land. Many consider it as the Central Park of the West but the truth is it’s 20% larger. It’s a large patch of green space in the bay area but it’s actually more than that. This is because the park offers attractions and landmarks to keep visitors interested. If you only have a day to explore the park, it’s highly recommended that you plan ahead so you can make the most of your time there. You can use this article as a short guide on the different things you can see and do at Golden Gate Park. 
The Conservatory of Flowers
If you love flowers then you will surely love The Conservatory of Flowers. It’s one of the first attractions you’ll see when you enter the park. And it’s really hard to miss because it has a large clock made of flowers. Then there’s the old yet beautiful greenhouse, which is actually the oldest building in the park. It was completed in 1879 and now it is considered an important landmark as designated by the National Register of Historic Places. The style of the greenhouse is distinctly Victorian and if you have time then taking a look inside will definitely be worth your time. You should also watch out for special exhibits that change all throughout the year. The best day to visit the conservatory is every first Tuesday of the month when admission is free.
California Academy of Sciences
Are you a geek at heart? Then you’ll be excited to learn that one of the coolest science museums is inside Golden Gate Park and it’s called the California Academy of Sciences. It’s actually the oldest scientific institution on the West Coast. How old is it? Well, Charles Darwin is even involved in the creation of the organization. The building that you can see right now is actually new. The original structure was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1989. The good thing about the new building is that it is made mostly of recycled materials. This makes the building one of the most sustainable structures in the US. You can spend hours inside this museum and never get bored. It has an aquarium, rainforest bio-dome, and a planetarium. Make sure to reserve at least half of your day when you visit.
Japanese Tea Garden
Do you want to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of city life? Then take a break at the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden located on the west side of the park. The zen atmosphere of the place will help you to forget all of your worries. It’s the perfect place to meditate or to just sit quietly and watch your surroundings. You can also walk around. It’s a huge place. The whole garden occupies three acres of land. Let your feet take you to the Moon Bridge, which is a perfect spot to take in the scenery. Don’t forget to visit the authentic Japanese tea house and witness a genuine Japanese tea ceremony. There is an entrance fee. But you need to understand that the Japanese Tea Garden is one of the hardest parts of the park to maintain.
Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill
Do you know that you can even ride paddleboats and rowboats inside Golden Gate Park? You just need to head on to Stow Lake. It’s the first artificial lake built in the area. The lake was named after W.W. Stow who donated $60,000 for the construction of the lake. Riding a rowboat or a paddle boat is a good way to pass the time inside the park. Another interesting landmark in the area is Strawberry Hill. To reach the hill, you need to pass through a series of bridges. There used to be an observatory on top of the hill but it was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake.
It’s easy to go to Golden Gate Park. It’s just a short drive from downtown. If you don’t have a car, you can take a minibus or a train. You can also take your bike or rent one inside the park.