- McLaren lodge - With an impressive Romanesque design and 18-inch thick walls, this imposing structure was once the home of the park’s superintendent, John McLaren.
- Conservatory of Flowers - Learn about this gorgeous greenhouse and its exotic plants as you admire the blooms outside.
- Hippie Hill - This might look like any other wide-open lawn primed for picnicking, but it’s got a lot more history. Learn how this spot became the focal point of the 1967 Summer of Love counterculture movement.
- National AIDS Memorial Grove - Walk through part of a 10-acre memorial in this peaceful green setting. Learn how the AIDS crisis affected San Francisco and how locals came together to find hope through the darkness.
- Monarch Bear Grove - Deep in the park is a half-hidden circle of stones. Learn how they connect to a Spanish monastery, a grizzly bear, and the California state flag.
- Shakespeare Garden - Explore this four-acre garden densely planted with trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs from the Bard’s plays and poems.
- Music Concourse - This open-air plaza has world-class museums on either side plus a turn-of-the-century “Temple of Music.”
- de Young Museum - This fine arts museum has striking modern architecture you can admire as your guide shares the highlights of what makes the collections here so unique.
- California Academy of Sciences - Our tour ends here at one of the largest natural history museums in the world, housing over 46 million specimens. Your ticket is included so you can explore at your leisure.
- Picturesque views throughout with plenty of time for photos
- 90-minute tour with an experienced guide
- Entry ticket to the California Academy of Sciences with access to all the exhibits
- Stories of the famous landmarks and hidden gems of Golden Gate Park
- Gratuities
Explore the highlights and hidden gems of Golden Gate Park with a local guide so you don’t miss a thing. Visit the Music Concourse, the peaceful AIDS memorial, and the Shakespeare Garden. From the striking architecture of the de Young Museum to the blooms outside the Conservatory of Flowers, we’ll cover it all.
You’ll also hear about the history and SF connection of places you might otherwise miss. Learn about the 1890s McLaren Lodge, Hippie Hill (including how it got its name), and a mysterious stone circle related to a monastery and grizzly bears.
Our tour ends at the California Academy of Sciences, with your ticket including access to all exhibits, animals, the planetarium, and more.
Upgrade to add a Big Bus Tours ticket, providing two days of access to 16 stops in San Francisco. With this upgrade, we recommend continuing your tour after the Academy of Sciences by riding the bus over the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a great overview of the city in just one day!
- Your ticket to the California Academy of Sciences is included. This is also a great place to grab lunch.
- Add on a Big Bus Tours hop-on hop-off ticket for $65 per adult. This includes two days of hop-on hop-off access at 16 stops, including Golden Gate Park.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
