Golden Gate Park

Stow Lake

Golden Gate Park has so much to offer! I have yet to explore it all but can't wait to go back!

Our First stop was at the boat house at Stow Lake where you can rent pedal or paddle boats, there are restrooms and a snack bar.

Then head to "The Chinese Pavillion and Huntington Falls" (the island!) -(see map below)- I absolutely LOVE seeing the waterfall and being to walk right up to it. We hike up the stairs just to the side of the waterfall,  it was a blast (ooh, bring bread if you want to feed the ducks!). The kids had a great time too and ran their energy out! At the top of the staircase there is a trail with a small hike up it to "Strawberry Hill" to enjoy the amazing view! Don't worry too much about taking off course trails your on an island so theres no real getting lost so feel free to explore just be cautions of anything too steep!

Back at the bottom we cross the waterfall to check out the "Chinese Pavillion" and wrap up our day feeding the ducks, if I remember the food! Free Street Parking, no entrance fees, only costs are boat rentals and snack bar.

Go Enjoy a peaceful venture to Stow Lake you wont be disappointed!
Happy Exploring!

 Sorry no waterfall pix, I went it alone on this trip, couldn't get the girls to sit still long enough, but we will be going back so next time, feel free to share pix!

You can pick up a copy of the park map at the boathouse/snack bar!

Golden Gate Park Map:

http://www.golden-gate-park.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/map_of_golden_gate_park.pdf

"The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps" 
163 steps located at 16th and Moraga in San Francisco!

Found this beautiful place online, where else?!  And just had to see it for myself, it kind of reminds me of a modern twist on "starry night", one of my absolute favorite paintings of all time!

This staircase is a work of art, absolutely FREE to the public, out in nature, perfect for little ones to run their energy out and parents to get out and exercise in the fresh air. Absolutely love it!

But Don't Stop There!. . .
when you reach the top there is a residential street (watch the little ones)

then another small staircase . . .

Then another street and yet, another Large, Steep, staircase. about midway there is a sandy trail leading to the left of this hill, Take It! this path takes a not so steep sandy trail to the top of the hill ending at the same location.

Trust Me, The Amazing Views Are Worth he Hike!
The three flights of stairs lead to "Grand View Park

Happy Exploring!

: the final leg to Grand View Park