Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Spreckels Lake, bordered by Spreckels Lake Drive, 36th Avenue, and John F Kennedy Drive, San Francisco 94121
Starting Point: Spreckels Lake is on the north side of Golden Gate Park, just south of Fulton Street from the entrance at 36th Ave. There is some street parking and public transportation options on MUNI.
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
Golden Gate Park information link:
https://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-guide/
Golden Gate Park Lakes information link (sfrecpark.org):
https://sfrecpark.org/777/Gardens-Groves-and-Lakes
Distance:
Spreckels Lake is approximately 950 feet lengthwise measured east to west, and 420 feet at it’s widest point north to south. The irregular shape of the lake leaves a question mark about the total distance around it, but it makes for an easy city stroll, even with small children in hand.
Considerations:
• This is a city park accessible by public transportation or car. Read parking signs and regulations carefully to avoid tickets. (For any location: Always lock car doors and don’t leave items visible within vehicle.)
• There is a toilet facility on 36th Ave. near JFK Drive, and also just north of the polo field (Polo Field North Bathroom).
• This is a smooth surface accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
• Pay attention to public health and safety information signs.
The trail:
Spreckels Lake is a small city lake in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond District with an asphalt path leading around its irregular curves. It is mystically entrancing when covered in misty fog, and shines with glorious reflections under sunny blue skies.
This was a favorite easy walk when our children were still toddlers. Highlights include seeing people do tai chi with seagulls ambling nearby, and watching people on benches playing chess.
Different kinds of boats zip across the water on different days. Famous for its quiet model yachts, Spreckels Lake also sometimes hosts zippier boats with motors.
The turtles that pile up on top of a concrete turtle statue are always enjoyable to see. Fish coming to the surface and opening their mouths in search of food can be exciting, too.
Walkers see the treat of a great blue heron coming in for a landing, but more often there are seagulls, ducks and pigeons in view.
If the timing is right, there may be a pretzel stand to buy treats from, or a boat race to see.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other nearby hikes to check out are noted in Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park, Mallard Lake-Golden Gate Park, and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Hike Search by Area page.
(Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Choosing to Feel Lucky” 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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Spreckels Lake, bordered by Spreckels Lake Drive, 36th Avenue, and John F Kennedy Drive, San Francisco 94121
Starting Point: Spreckels Lake is on the north side of Golden Gate Park, just south of Fulton Street from the entrance at 36th Ave. There is some street parking and public transportation options on MUNI.
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
Golden Gate Park information link:
https://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-guide/
Golden Gate Park Lakes information link (sfrecpark.org):
https://sfrecpark.org/777/Gardens-Groves-and-Lakes
Distance:
Spreckels Lake is approximately 950 feet lengthwise measured east to west, and 420 feet at it’s widest point north to south. The irregular shape of the lake leaves a question mark about the total distance around it, but it makes for an easy city stroll, even with small children in hand.
Considerations:
• This is a city park accessible by public transportation or car. Read parking signs and regulations carefully to avoid tickets. (For any location: Always lock car doors and don’t leave items visible within vehicle.)
• There is a toilet facility on 36th Ave. near JFK Drive, and also just north of the polo field (Polo Field North Bathroom).
• This is a smooth surface accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
• Pay attention to public health and safety information signs.
The trail:
Spreckels Lake is a small city lake in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond District with an asphalt path leading around its irregular curves. It is mystically entrancing when covered in misty fog, and shines with glorious reflections under sunny blue skies.
This was a favorite easy walk when our children were still toddlers. Highlights include seeing people do tai chi with seagulls ambling nearby, and watching people on benches playing chess.
Different kinds of boats zip across the water on different days. Famous for its quiet model yachts, Spreckels Lake also sometimes hosts zippier boats with motors.
The turtles that pile up on top of a concrete turtle statue are always enjoyable to see. Fish coming to the surface and opening their mouths in search of food can be exciting, too.
Walkers see the treat of a great blue heron coming in for a landing, but more often there are seagulls, ducks and pigeons in view.
If the timing is right, there may be a pretzel stand to buy treats from, or a boat race to see.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other nearby hikes to check out are noted in Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park, Mallard Lake-Golden Gate Park, and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Hike Search by Area page.
(Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Choosing to Feel Lucky” 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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
