Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses – Golden Gate Park
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Bison Paddock, 1237 John F Kennedy Dr., San Francisco, CA 94121
Starting Point: John F Kennedy Drive near the intersection with Chain of Lakes Drive E. Walking east from here leads to the bison paddock, the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools across the road, followed by a back trail to the San Francisco Police Department horse stables. Walking past the old horse stables and then looping back along John F Kennedy Drive makes for a one mile walk with few hills.
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:
Approximately a 1 mile loop walk, with few hills or inclines.
Considerations:
• Parking is usually fairly easy along John F Kennedy Drive, near Chain of Lakes Drive E. The 5 Fulton MUNI bus also runs right along Golden Gate Park. Exit at 43rd Ave. to start this walk at the western end as noted here, or at 36th Ave. to start from the eastern end.
• There are toilet facilities a short distance west of the intersection of John F Kennedy Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive E (Chain of Lakes Restrooms on Google Maps), also at the Anglers Lodge, and past the old horse stables (Polo Field North Bathroom on Google Maps).
• Golden Gate Park may be within a large city, but it is also home to coyote, fox, hawks, and other wildlife (with a mountain lion sighting reported in recent times). Heed any signs about recent wildlife activity.
• The western end of San Francisco is notorious for being cool and foggy, but as is clear from the photo gallery, sunny days with blue skies happen as well. Wearing layers is always a good bet.
• Pedestrian-vehicle accidents are a challenge in San Francisco. Despite being in the park, use the same caution with street crossings as in the rest of the city.
The trail:
Starting from the intersection of John F Kennedy Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive E and walking east, visitors can view the bison paddock on the north side of the road. The north side has a narrow paved path that goes by some of the gnarled and twisted trees that add to the esthetic of Golden Gate Park. Eucalyptus and pine trees also add to the visual charm.
The bison are not always in easy view, but stop and look around the field long enough, and you should be able to spot one or two.
Across the road from the main bison viewing area with descriptive signs, the entryway and signs leading to the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools are visible. There is no crosswalk here, so be careful when crossing.
The entry to the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools opens into a Hansel and Gretel charming space of dappled paths with dancing tree shadows. Go through the tree tunnel pathway to the right rather than going through the main parking area. This path leads you to the west end of the casting pools, allowing you to enjoy the view of the lodge reflecting in the pools from a distance.
We enjoy walking around the casting pool perimeter as well as crossing through the middle pathways, sometimes stopping for a break on a bench to observe the hawk that guards this area.
The eastern end of the casting pools brings you to the rustic wooden lodge itself (toilet facilities available here during open hours). A charming stairway leads up to the lodge, and a veer to the right passes through a back parking area that then leads toward the San Francisco Police horse stables.
When officers are in the stables working, they sometimes stop and answer visitor questions. They also sometimes give talks to visiting school children.
Going past these stables will take you past the now closed larger horse stables, with Spreckels Lake along 36thAve. coming into view. For the one mile round trip, turn west here along John F Kennedy Drive and walk back toward the bison paddock.
There are many miles of walks within Golden Gate Park, but this one mile loop offers fairly easy terrain with several highlights all within a short area. (Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses – Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Home Away from Home” 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: Bison Paddock, 1237 John F Kennedy Dr., San Francisco, CA 94121
Starting Point: John F Kennedy Drive near the intersection with Chain of Lakes Drive E. Walking east from here leads to the bison paddock, the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools across the road, followed by a back trail to the San Francisco Police Department horse stables. Walking past the old horse stables and then looping back along John F Kennedy Drive makes for a one mile walk with few hills.
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:
Approximately a 1 mile loop walk, with few hills or inclines.
Considerations:
• Parking is usually fairly easy along John F Kennedy Drive, near Chain of Lakes Drive E. The 5 Fulton MUNI bus also runs right along Golden Gate Park. Exit at 43rd Ave. to start this walk at the western end as noted here, or at 36th Ave. to start from the eastern end.
• There are toilet facilities a short distance west of the intersection of John F Kennedy Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive E (Chain of Lakes Restrooms on Google Maps), also at the Anglers Lodge, and past the old horse stables (Polo Field North Bathroom on Google Maps).
• Golden Gate Park may be within a large city, but it is also home to coyote, fox, hawks, and other wildlife (with a mountain lion sighting reported in recent times). Heed any signs about recent wildlife activity.
• The western end of San Francisco is notorious for being cool and foggy, but as is clear from the photo gallery, sunny days with blue skies happen as well. Wearing layers is always a good bet.
• Pedestrian-vehicle accidents are a challenge in San Francisco. Despite being in the park, use the same caution with street crossings as in the rest of the city.
The trail:
Starting from the intersection of John F Kennedy Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive E and walking east, visitors can view the bison paddock on the north side of the road. The north side has a narrow paved path that goes by some of the gnarled and twisted trees that add to the esthetic of Golden Gate Park. Eucalyptus and pine trees also add to the visual charm.
The bison are not always in easy view, but stop and look around the field long enough, and you should be able to spot one or two.
Across the road from the main bison viewing area with descriptive signs, the entryway and signs leading to the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools are visible. There is no crosswalk here, so be careful when crossing.
The entry to the Anglers Lodge and Casting Pools opens into a Hansel and Gretel charming space of dappled paths with dancing tree shadows. Go through the tree tunnel pathway to the right rather than going through the main parking area. This path leads you to the west end of the casting pools, allowing you to enjoy the view of the lodge reflecting in the pools from a distance.
We enjoy walking around the casting pool perimeter as well as crossing through the middle pathways, sometimes stopping for a break on a bench to observe the hawk that guards this area.
The eastern end of the casting pools brings you to the rustic wooden lodge itself (toilet facilities available here during open hours). A charming stairway leads up to the lodge, and a veer to the right passes through a back parking area that then leads toward the San Francisco Police horse stables.
When officers are in the stables working, they sometimes stop and answer visitor questions. They also sometimes give talks to visiting school children.
Going past these stables will take you past the now closed larger horse stables, with Spreckels Lake along 36thAve. coming into view. For the one mile round trip, turn west here along John F Kennedy Drive and walk back toward the bison paddock.
There are many miles of walks within Golden Gate Park, but this one mile loop offers fairly easy terrain with several highlights all within a short area. (Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses – Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Home Away from Home” 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