Strawberry Hill and Stow Lake Pagoda
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Location: Stow Lake Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, Hours 5 AM to Midnight
Even on a busy weekend day, it is usually possible to find a parking spot somewhere on the perimeter of Stow Lake, though perhaps not right near the boathouse and toilet facilities.
Information 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:
Different sources quote different distances, but the outer loop of Stow Lake (covered in a future hikingautism.com post) is noted as approximately 1 mile. This post covers the inner loop around Strawberry Hill Island, so the loop distance is shorter, but when you add the climb to the summit of Strawberry Hill and back down again, plus any distance walked from parking on the outer loop to one of the bridge crossings, this could be made into a walk of a good mile or more, as visitors wish.
Considerations:
• Even on the weekends, it is usually possible to find a parking spot on the perimeter of Stow Lake.
• Golden Gate Park has some regular weekend road closures (leaving roads open for pedestrians and bicyclists) and special event closures. See link above.
• Toilet facilities are near the boathouse. There are some disability parking spots available.
• The loop trails around the lake and the island are reasonably flat, but those who wish to go to the top of Strawberry Hill should be prepared for a stair climb.
The trail:
Stow Lake is a classic old treasure of San Francisco, created in 1893, when visitors enjoyed boats from the boathouse and rides in horse-drawn carriages. The outer loop is a pretty walk which will be covered in a future post, but today we will cover the inner loop.
Cross one of the two bridges (old classic stone version or modern concrete version) to get to the inner loop trail around Strawberry Hill Island.
The Golden Gate Pavilion is a picturesque pagoda which is popular for photos, and for breaks looking out at the lake or at the pretty pagoda pond area.
Huntington Falls is a waterfall that drops from a reservoir at the top of Strawberry Hill. The stone steps in front of the falls are a popular photo spot, with the falls facing one way, and the lake, spotted with paddle boats and row boats, facing the other.
There are steps along the sides of the waterfall, with small bridges allowing for views above the falls as you climb up.
A climb past the top of the falls brings you to a small reservoir surrounded by trees. Continue to the top of the hill, an elevation of over 400 feet, to reach the top of Strawberry Hill. The stone ruins of Sweeney’s Observatory are still there. You can find good views from the top of the hill, even without the Observatory (destroyed in the 1906 earthquake) to peer out from. There is a lovely view of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge framed by trees that is worth the climb up.
There are inclined pathways leading back down the hill for those who would like to explore the other side of the hill and not repeat the stairs. Birds and boats on the lake are appealing whether it’s a misty dark morning or a bright sunny afternoon.
For those who like a good ghost story, check online for “White Lady of Stow Lake” or “Stow Lake” combined with “ghost” or “haunted.” The following two links give a pretty good overview:
https://goldengatepark.com/stow-lake-ghost.html
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-ghost-stories-white-lady-stow-lake-12247189.php
Though the park lists the open hours for Stow Lake until midnight, I think I would be sure to leave by sunset! It’s always been a pleasant walk for our family, and we’ve yet to meet an unfriendly ghost there.
(Strawberry Hill and Stow Lake Pagoda Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Friendly Ghosts” 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)
Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Location: Stow Lake Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, Hours 5 AM to Midnight
Even on a busy weekend day, it is usually possible to find a parking spot somewhere on the perimeter of Stow Lake, though perhaps not right near the boathouse and toilet facilities.
Information 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:
Different sources quote different distances, but the outer loop of Stow Lake (covered in a future hikingautism.com post) is noted as approximately 1 mile. This post covers the inner loop around Strawberry Hill Island, so the loop distance is shorter, but when you add the climb to the summit of Strawberry Hill and back down again, plus any distance walked from parking on the outer loop to one of the bridge crossings, this could be made into a walk of a good mile or more, as visitors wish.
Considerations:
• Even on the weekends, it is usually possible to find a parking spot on the perimeter of Stow Lake.
• Golden Gate Park has some regular weekend road closures (leaving roads open for pedestrians and bicyclists) and special event closures. See link above.
• Toilet facilities are near the boathouse. There are some disability parking spots available.
• The loop trails around the lake and the island are reasonably flat, but those who wish to go to the top of Strawberry Hill should be prepared for a stair climb.
The trail:
Stow Lake is a classic old treasure of San Francisco, created in 1893, when visitors enjoyed boats from the boathouse and rides in horse-drawn carriages. The outer loop is a pretty walk which will be covered in a future post, but today we will cover the inner loop.
Cross one of the two bridges (old classic stone version or modern concrete version) to get to the inner loop trail around Strawberry Hill Island.
The Golden Gate Pavilion is a picturesque pagoda which is popular for photos, and for breaks looking out at the lake or at the pretty pagoda pond area.
Huntington Falls is a waterfall that drops from a reservoir at the top of Strawberry Hill. The stone steps in front of the falls are a popular photo spot, with the falls facing one way, and the lake, spotted with paddle boats and row boats, facing the other.
There are steps along the sides of the waterfall, with small bridges allowing for views above the falls as you climb up.
A climb past the top of the falls brings you to a small reservoir surrounded by trees. Continue to the top of the hill, an elevation of over 400 feet, to reach the top of Strawberry Hill. The stone ruins of Sweeney’s Observatory are still there. You can find good views from the top of the hill, even without the Observatory (destroyed in the 1906 earthquake) to peer out from. There is a lovely view of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge framed by trees that is worth the climb up.
There are inclined pathways leading back down the hill for those who would like to explore the other side of the hill and not repeat the stairs. Birds and boats on the lake are appealing whether it’s a misty dark morning or a bright sunny afternoon.
For those who like a good ghost story, check online for “White Lady of Stow Lake” or “Stow Lake” combined with “ghost” or “haunted.” The following two links give a pretty good overview:
https://goldengatepark.com/stow-lake-ghost.html
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-ghost-stories-white-lady-stow-lake-12247189.php
Though the park lists the open hours for Stow Lake until midnight, I think I would be sure to leave by sunset! It’s always been a pleasant walk for our family, and we’ve yet to meet an unfriendly ghost there.
(Strawberry Hill and Stow Lake Pagoda Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Friendly Ghosts” 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