Heroes Grove-Golden Gate Park
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Redwood forest pathway near J.F. Kennedy Drive between 10th Avenue and Park Presidio in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Starting Point: There are entrances to Heroes Grove from near 10th Ave. and JFK Drive, as well as from the Rose Garden main entrance near JFK Drive. Look for stone markers noting “Heroes Grove.” This section of JFK Drive is closed to traffic, so taking the MUNI bus on Fulton Street or using nearby street parking give the most direct access.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Golden Gate Park Groves info link (SF Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/1869/Golden-Gate-Park-Groves
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:
Heroes Grove itself is not a large, but offers a pleasant stroll through a grove of old redwoods that stretches the length of four city blocks. A straight line end-to-end walk would be 0.2 miles, but the trail meanders and turns, so walkers might cover a quarter to a third of a mile in the redwood paths. Those who wish to walk more can choose from numerous other walks near this area. See “Hike Search by Area” in the HikingAutism.com menu, go to “San Francisco” and look for hikes with “Golden Gate Park” in the title.
Considerations:
• The closest Golden Gate Park toilet facility is slightly west along JFK Drive up a path in the 14th Ave. East Picnic Meadow.
• Parking rules vary, with some roads in Golden Gate Park closed to traffic. Follow parking rule signs for street parking or parking on roads within the park.
• Public transportation options include the MUNI 5 Fulton bus and the free park shuttle.
• Heed health, safety and parking information signs.
The trail:
If one didn’t know to look, most people would pass right by the semi-hidden entrances to Heroes Grove and not know of its existence. Clearly labeled stone markers have made it easier to find the grove from both the 10th Ave. end where the large stone monument and smaller stone markers are, and at the Rose Garden entrance.
It is a special treat to have a grove of redwoods within a city park. This section of Golden Gate Park is dedicated in honor of those who served in World War I. I usually walk through this redwood grove starting from the Rose Garden end, where the emphasis is on trees and pathways.
It is when we approach the 10th Ave. entrance that we see the ethereal white glow of a large triangular stone monument, which we can see is carved with names upon closer observation. Around this larger monument are smaller stones with memorial information carved into them.
It is a quiet, moving space to be in, especially when reading the simple 1918 testament to Gold Star Mothers who lost loved ones in World War I, or the “Lest We Forget” reminder carved into stone. This simple set of messages in a quiet space carries a compelling reminder to honor those who have sacrificed for others.
As noted above, Heroes Grove itself does not make for a long walk. Those not up for a big walk can take a nice stroll here and enjoy the quiet in the cool shade of the redwood trees. However, a look at a map shows a dense concentration of visiting spots near Heroes Grove, particularly to the east and south. Heading west from Heroes Grove means sparser stopping spots but makes for nice longer walks, all the way to Ocean Beach if you’re up for a long hike.
As noted above, those who wish to walk more can choose from numerous other walks near this area. See “Hike Search by Area” in the HikingAutism.com menu, go to “San Francisco” and look for hikes with “Golden Gate Park” in the title.
Heroes Grove has a magical feeling whether the sun is shining down through the branches, or the paths are enveloped in misty fog.
(Heroes Grove-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Quiet Heroes” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop 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. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Redwood forest pathway near J.F. Kennedy Drive between 10th Avenue and Park Presidio in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Starting Point: There are entrances to Heroes Grove from near 10th Ave. and JFK Drive, as well as from the Rose Garden main entrance near JFK Drive. Look for stone markers noting “Heroes Grove.” This section of JFK Drive is closed to traffic, so taking the MUNI bus on Fulton Street or using nearby street parking give the most direct access.
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Golden Gate Park Groves info link (SF Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/1869/Golden-Gate-Park-Groves
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:
Heroes Grove itself is not a large, but offers a pleasant stroll through a grove of old redwoods that stretches the length of four city blocks. A straight line end-to-end walk would be 0.2 miles, but the trail meanders and turns, so walkers might cover a quarter to a third of a mile in the redwood paths. Those who wish to walk more can choose from numerous other walks near this area. See “Hike Search by Area” in the HikingAutism.com menu, go to “San Francisco” and look for hikes with “Golden Gate Park” in the title.
Considerations:
• The closest Golden Gate Park toilet facility is slightly west along JFK Drive up a path in the 14th Ave. East Picnic Meadow.
• Parking rules vary, with some roads in Golden Gate Park closed to traffic. Follow parking rule signs for street parking or parking on roads within the park.
• Public transportation options include the MUNI 5 Fulton bus and the free park shuttle.
• Heed health, safety and parking information signs.
The trail:
If one didn’t know to look, most people would pass right by the semi-hidden entrances to Heroes Grove and not know of its existence. Clearly labeled stone markers have made it easier to find the grove from both the 10th Ave. end where the large stone monument and smaller stone markers are, and at the Rose Garden entrance.
It is a special treat to have a grove of redwoods within a city park. This section of Golden Gate Park is dedicated in honor of those who served in World War I. I usually walk through this redwood grove starting from the Rose Garden end, where the emphasis is on trees and pathways.
It is when we approach the 10th Ave. entrance that we see the ethereal white glow of a large triangular stone monument, which we can see is carved with names upon closer observation. Around this larger monument are smaller stones with memorial information carved into them.
It is a quiet, moving space to be in, especially when reading the simple 1918 testament to Gold Star Mothers who lost loved ones in World War I, or the “Lest We Forget” reminder carved into stone. This simple set of messages in a quiet space carries a compelling reminder to honor those who have sacrificed for others.
As noted above, Heroes Grove itself does not make for a long walk. Those not up for a big walk can take a nice stroll here and enjoy the quiet in the cool shade of the redwood trees. However, a look at a map shows a dense concentration of visiting spots near Heroes Grove, particularly to the east and south. Heading west from Heroes Grove means sparser stopping spots but makes for nice longer walks, all the way to Ocean Beach if you’re up for a long hike.
As noted above, those who wish to walk more can choose from numerous other walks near this area. See “Hike Search by Area” in the HikingAutism.com menu, go to “San Francisco” and look for hikes with “Golden Gate Park” in the title.
Heroes Grove has a magical feeling whether the sun is shining down through the branches, or the paths are enveloped in misty fog.
(Heroes Grove-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Quiet Heroes” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop 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. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
