Queen Wilhelmina Garden
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: John F Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, between 47th Ave. and Great Highway.
Starting Point: Parking is usually available within easy distance of the Queen Wilhelmina Garden (also referred to as “Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden”).
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:
Queen Wilhemina’s Garden offers a brief stroll around the flower gardens and down and around behind the historic windmill, but as a visit destination in and of itself, does not offer a significant walking distance. Those wanting a longer hike can make this a stop on a walk that includes Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, or even an uphill adventure to Sutro Baths and Lands End.
Considerations:
• Parking is usually available within easy walking distance of Queen Wilhelmina Garden. Weekends and busy soccer field days may be more crowded.
• Lock vehicle doors, and do not leave any items, even a jacket, in view in car interior to avoid vehicle break-ins.
• Queen Wilhelmina Garden offers a short stroll. For those who cannot use the main stairs in the front, use the ramped path to the left facing the windmill from JFK.
• There are toilet facilities on the first floor of the Beach Chalet across JFK Drive. Check out the exhibits on the first floor. There are also toilet facilities at the nearby soccer field.
• Pay attention to information signs, including those for urban wildlife, particularly coyotes.
The trail:
There are two windmills along the Great Highway at the western edge of Golden Gate Park. The windmill to the north at Queen Wilhelmina Garden is an authentic Dutch windmill that offers beautiful flower displays. The windmills, built in 1902, were originally the workhorses of an irrigation system to pump water to plants in Golden Gate Park. The park originated on sand dunes in the late 1800s, and water was needed to nourish the many older trees we see in Golden Gate Park today.
Park gardeners work hard to present seasonal flowers year round, but in spring the tulips are on display in full force. This is a lovely place to stroll, sit on a bench and soak up some sun (if not on one of our foggy days), and walk around to observe the authentic Dutch windmill up close. It is definitely a hot spot for photos when the tulips are in full bloom.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other nearby hikes to check out are noted in Ocean Beach-North End, Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Sutro Heights, Sutro Baths and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Quick View Hike List.
(Queen Wilhelmina Garden Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Brothers” 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: John F Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, between 47th Ave. and Great Highway.
Starting Point: Parking is usually available within easy distance of the Queen Wilhelmina Garden (also referred to as “Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden”).
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:
Queen Wilhemina’s Garden offers a brief stroll around the flower gardens and down and around behind the historic windmill, but as a visit destination in and of itself, does not offer a significant walking distance. Those wanting a longer hike can make this a stop on a walk that includes Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, or even an uphill adventure to Sutro Baths and Lands End.
Considerations:
• Parking is usually available within easy walking distance of Queen Wilhelmina Garden. Weekends and busy soccer field days may be more crowded.
• Lock vehicle doors, and do not leave any items, even a jacket, in view in car interior to avoid vehicle break-ins.
• Queen Wilhelmina Garden offers a short stroll. For those who cannot use the main stairs in the front, use the ramped path to the left facing the windmill from JFK.
• There are toilet facilities on the first floor of the Beach Chalet across JFK Drive. Check out the exhibits on the first floor. There are also toilet facilities at the nearby soccer field.
• Pay attention to information signs, including those for urban wildlife, particularly coyotes.
The trail:
There are two windmills along the Great Highway at the western edge of Golden Gate Park. The windmill to the north at Queen Wilhelmina Garden is an authentic Dutch windmill that offers beautiful flower displays. The windmills, built in 1902, were originally the workhorses of an irrigation system to pump water to plants in Golden Gate Park. The park originated on sand dunes in the late 1800s, and water was needed to nourish the many older trees we see in Golden Gate Park today.
Park gardeners work hard to present seasonal flowers year round, but in spring the tulips are on display in full force. This is a lovely place to stroll, sit on a bench and soak up some sun (if not on one of our foggy days), and walk around to observe the authentic Dutch windmill up close. It is definitely a hot spot for photos when the tulips are in full bloom.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other nearby hikes to check out are noted in Ocean Beach-North End, Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Sutro Heights, Sutro Baths and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Quick View Hike List.
(Queen Wilhelmina Garden Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Brothers” 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
