Lloyd Lake-Golden Gate Park Stroll
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
JFK drive in Golden Gate Park
Location: Lloyd Lake is on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park near the of intersection of JFK Drive with Transverse Drive (21st Ave.) and Crossover Drive.
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 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:
The loop around Lloyd Lake is quite short, and only takes a few minutes to walk around. For those wishing to have a longer walk, there are many other areas in Golden Gate Park to explore and add distance to your outing. (Look in the San Francisco section under Hike Search by Area for other Golden Gate Park walks.)
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• Parking rules in Golden Gate Park have changed over time. Read parking rules, or take public transportation (https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/routes-stops).
• The closest public toilets to Lloyd Lake are across JFK Drive in Hellman Hollow.
• Heed health and safety notices, including wildlife alerts.
• Golden Gate Park weather can switch between chilly and foggy and warm and sunny in the blink of an eye. We always bring layers.
The trail:
Lloyd Lake and the white columns of the Portals of the Past memorial have always been visual landmarks for our family as we went through Golden Gate Park. It took decades before I realized that there’s a loop trail that encircles this small, pretty lake, filled with ducks and geese.
When the water is smooth, the white pillars make a lovely reflection. This memorial structure was originally the entry of an 1891 Nob Hill mansion that burned in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake. It is featured in a photo by Arnold Genthe as the frame through which a devastated San Francisco could be seen. The structure was moved to Golden Gate Park in 1909 in remembrance of what the city experienced.
We parked near Hellman Hollow (site of the nearest public bathroom for this walk), and chose the waterfall for the start of our loop walk. The path led us along a curve with benches under low trees to the right, and plenty of ducks and geese to view on the left.
The view was pretty from all directions as we walked the loop, and I saw trails leading off in other directions as we went. The Portals of the Past were restored in 2008, making the white reflection even brighter. There are benches in various spots around the lake, so visitors can sit and enjoy the view from all sides.
For other Golden Gate Park walks, check out the San Francisco section under Hike Search by Area.
Lloyd Lake-Golden Gate Park Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Overlooked Treasures” 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)
JFK drive in Golden Gate Park
Location: Lloyd Lake is on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park near the of intersection of JFK Drive with Transverse Drive (21st Ave.) and Crossover Drive.
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 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:
The loop around Lloyd Lake is quite short, and only takes a few minutes to walk around. For those wishing to have a longer walk, there are many other areas in Golden Gate Park to explore and add distance to your outing. (Look in the San Francisco section under Hike Search by Area for other Golden Gate Park walks.)
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• Parking rules in Golden Gate Park have changed over time. Read parking rules, or take public transportation (https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/routes-stops).
• The closest public toilets to Lloyd Lake are across JFK Drive in Hellman Hollow.
• Heed health and safety notices, including wildlife alerts.
• Golden Gate Park weather can switch between chilly and foggy and warm and sunny in the blink of an eye. We always bring layers.
The trail:
Lloyd Lake and the white columns of the Portals of the Past memorial have always been visual landmarks for our family as we went through Golden Gate Park. It took decades before I realized that there’s a loop trail that encircles this small, pretty lake, filled with ducks and geese.
When the water is smooth, the white pillars make a lovely reflection. This memorial structure was originally the entry of an 1891 Nob Hill mansion that burned in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake. It is featured in a photo by Arnold Genthe as the frame through which a devastated San Francisco could be seen. The structure was moved to Golden Gate Park in 1909 in remembrance of what the city experienced.
We parked near Hellman Hollow (site of the nearest public bathroom for this walk), and chose the waterfall for the start of our loop walk. The path led us along a curve with benches under low trees to the right, and plenty of ducks and geese to view on the left.
The view was pretty from all directions as we walked the loop, and I saw trails leading off in other directions as we went. The Portals of the Past were restored in 2008, making the white reflection even brighter. There are benches in various spots around the lake, so visitors can sit and enjoy the view from all sides.
For other Golden Gate Park walks, check out the San Francisco section under Hike Search by Area.
Lloyd Lake-Golden Gate Park Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Overlooked Treasures” 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
