AIDS Memorial Grove – Golden Gate Park
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Golden Gate Park, eastern end (AIDS Memorial Grove was formerly called the de Leveaga Dell)
Starting Point: Golden Gate Park, intersection of Bowling Green and Nancy Pelosi Drive/Middle Drive East, across from the tennis courts.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Park info link (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
Golden Gate Park Points of Interest (SF Rec and Parks): https://sfrecpark.org/1116/Golden-Gate-Park-Points-of-Interest
Golden Gate Park by car (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
Golden Gate Park public transportation (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1618/Getting-to-Golden-Gate-Park-by-Car
Golden Gate Park free shuttle (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1617/Golden-Gate-Park-Free-Shuttle
Golden Gate Park visitors map (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/7301/Golden-Gate-Park-Visitors-Map
Distance:
Walking around the AIDS Memorial Grove is not necessarily a long walk, though the Memorial Grove covers seven acres. It is possible to just take a short stroll here, or to incorporate this with a much longer walk in Golden Gate Park, which is over three miles from one end to the other running east-west.
Considerations:
• Parking rules vary, with some Golden Gate Park roads closed for weekend pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Follow parking rule signs for street parking or parking on roads within the park.
• Public transportation is a good option. The 5 Fulton MUNI bus runs along the length of Golden Gate Park on the north side. The 7, 21, and 73 MUNI buses also stop at Stanyan and Haight Streets, a good stopping spot for getting to the AIDS Memorial Grove.
• Nearby toilet facilities include the Koret Playground public restroom and the Conservatory of Flowers public restroom.
The trail:
The main entrance to the National AIDS Memorial Grove can be found near the intersection of Bowling Green Drive and Nancy Pelosi Drive (formerly Middle Drive), across from the tennis courts.
The AIDS Memorial Grove has several charming pathways and stairways that can be used as entrances and exits. These can be discovered as visitors walk around the grove grounds. The main entrance noted above is easiest to find in terms of directions.
As you walk around, you may come upon the Circle of Friends, with names engraved on flagstone. There are other circular symbolic structures within the Memorial Grove as well.
The Redwood Grove is a dark, calm inviting place to sit on a bench within the shadows of many beautiful trees. Sitting on a bench by the Woodland Stream (a dry creek bed) is a great option for having a quiet moment to contemplate. Visitors have created ever-evolving stone sculptures using the round stones scattered around this area.
In addition to quiet, contemplative walks, visitors also have picnics, weddings, and performing arts events here.
This can be a destination visit for those who wish, or a side stop in addition to visiting other parts of Golden Gate Park. (AIDS Memorial Grove – Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Murmuring Shadows” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Golden Gate Park, eastern end (AIDS Memorial Grove was formerly called the de Leveaga Dell)
Starting Point: Golden Gate Park, intersection of Bowling Green and Nancy Pelosi Drive/Middle Drive East, across from the tennis courts.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Park info link (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
Golden Gate Park Points of Interest (SF Rec and Parks): https://sfrecpark.org/1116/Golden-Gate-Park-Points-of-Interest
Golden Gate Park by car (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
Golden Gate Park public transportation (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1618/Getting-to-Golden-Gate-Park-by-Car
Golden Gate Park free shuttle (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1617/Golden-Gate-Park-Free-Shuttle
Golden Gate Park visitors map (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/7301/Golden-Gate-Park-Visitors-Map
Distance:
Walking around the AIDS Memorial Grove is not necessarily a long walk, though the Memorial Grove covers seven acres. It is possible to just take a short stroll here, or to incorporate this with a much longer walk in Golden Gate Park, which is over three miles from one end to the other running east-west.
Considerations:
• Parking rules vary, with some Golden Gate Park roads closed for weekend pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Follow parking rule signs for street parking or parking on roads within the park.
• Public transportation is a good option. The 5 Fulton MUNI bus runs along the length of Golden Gate Park on the north side. The 7, 21, and 73 MUNI buses also stop at Stanyan and Haight Streets, a good stopping spot for getting to the AIDS Memorial Grove.
• Nearby toilet facilities include the Koret Playground public restroom and the Conservatory of Flowers public restroom.
The trail:
The main entrance to the National AIDS Memorial Grove can be found near the intersection of Bowling Green Drive and Nancy Pelosi Drive (formerly Middle Drive), across from the tennis courts.
The AIDS Memorial Grove has several charming pathways and stairways that can be used as entrances and exits. These can be discovered as visitors walk around the grove grounds. The main entrance noted above is easiest to find in terms of directions.
As you walk around, you may come upon the Circle of Friends, with names engraved on flagstone. There are other circular symbolic structures within the Memorial Grove as well.
The Redwood Grove is a dark, calm inviting place to sit on a bench within the shadows of many beautiful trees. Sitting on a bench by the Woodland Stream (a dry creek bed) is a great option for having a quiet moment to contemplate. Visitors have created ever-evolving stone sculptures using the round stones scattered around this area.
In addition to quiet, contemplative walks, visitors also have picnics, weddings, and performing arts events here.
This can be a destination visit for those who wish, or a side stop in addition to visiting other parts of Golden Gate Park. (AIDS Memorial Grove – Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Murmuring Shadows” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
