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    Lily Pond

    4.4 (14 reviews)

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    Ed U.

    Color me puce as I was not aware there was a hidden lake between the Conservatory of Flowers and the National AIDS Memorial. The signs mention Fern Dell and Lily Pond, but I thought it was the opening act of a folk music festival. Instead you discover over a slight incline an intriguing sight of almost prehistoric portions with huge dinosaur leaves and an intensely green pond where ducks and their other aviary friends frolic in private. Well, almost private since I was there and so was a homeless woman and her shopping cart. Didn't think to ask if her name was Fern or Lily. RELATED - Exploring Golden Gate Park? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/37IV1wZ

    Wow
    Nadine C.

    A place of serenity in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco... My friend got her friend, Ed, to drive us around the city. My friend asked me, "Don't you remember Ed from my wedding (?) number of years ago?" Um... no... sorry! That was decades ago...lol! Anyway, Ed was an EXCELLENT tour guide! He wanted to show us a place that's not well known! Ooh! How exciting! Ed took us to The Lily Pond... Hah! What a misnomer! There are NO water lilies here! It seemed like a lot of algae growing in the water and the wild ducks were having a grand time, eating, flapping their wings, and diving for more food! Ed said that it looks like the pond hasn't been maintained... Oh, well, it was a cool excursion! It would be challenging to find it again if I were by myself!

    "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost..." - J.R.R. Tolkien
    Eric R.

    "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost..." - J.R.R. Tolkien Ahh another Tolkien adventure, well not quite, but hey another freebie gem I stumbled upon while wandering the legendary Golden Gate Park. It's somewhat hidden, but if you keep on the Fulton paths, eventually you'll see a sign to Lily Pond. Lily Pond is a small pond which has been around for only a few decades filling up an old stone quarry. The size and pathway allows you to circle the pond in less than 10-minutes tops. The short stroll from the Conservatory of Flowers makes the pond an ideal must do for solo wanderers or hobbit families! All in all, I'd suggest walking around the pond, I didn't see any reptiles, amphibians, on my short stroll, however I know these critters live in Lily Pond. I originally rated Lily Pond at 5-stars, since I'm a sucker for random nature freebies, but I admit my original rating does not reflect my visit, so I must deduct a star. See... my visit did not have a happy ending as I was distracted looking for pond life... Prince Eric stepped in a pile of dog s...! Hey it didn't end on a storybook note, but it's still beautiful & free! And yes, I forgive you... you fricken irresponsible dog owner who leaves s...! Karma! Update: I later google searched https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/amp/Lily-Pond-in-Golden-Gate-Park-overrun-3718185.php and found out the pond has been on the decline since invasive plants, and even worse, the aggressive African clawed frog, somehow entered the pond. Efforts by the city to remove the non-native species have been slow (some past attempts), but in the end I have confidence in this progressive green city! So check-out Lily Pond! Just don't feed mutant Kermit and anything that resembles Creature of the Black Lagoon! And please watch your step, son!

    Caitlyn G.

    What a beautiful, peaceful little oasis. Lots of beautiful plants and birds chirping galore. Benches along the walkway I used to sit, stretch, and meditate. Nice place to come and reflect.

    Having the time of my life!  So relaxing. What a view! Also very safe.
    Tony T.

    This pond was uhhhmazing. Definitely the highlight of Golden Gate Park if not all of SF. Worth every step to get there. I usually don't give out 5 star reviews, but for lily pond, I do gladly. A must-see, an instant classic, felt completely safe, if not right at home. Do yourself a favor and bring your beloved ones here. It won't disappoint! P.S. Just kidding. The pond is closed. Don't come here.

    Pond!

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    8 months ago

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    12 years ago

    FYI: Park is currently closed. They are killing some non native species to let native species thrive again...

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    11 years ago

    This has been gone for about 2 years now. It should just say closed on Yelp so that people won't be disappointed upon arrival.

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    Review Highlights - Lily Pond

    Visited this beautiful pond while going for a run at Golden Gate Park this past Saturday.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Presidio Tunnel Tops - Golden Gate view

    Presidio Tunnel Tops

    4.8(155 reviews)
    2.2 miPresidio

    So beautiful! Lots to explore. My son who is 7 and on the spectrum, loves the park area. It can get…read morecrowded on holidays or sunny days, so just keep that in mind. The entire play area is so well thought out, clean, well maintained. Restrooms are clean. Parking is plenty. It's just such a beautiful place to spend time with family and friends. There's usually a rotating coffee pop up that'll sell donuts and coffee or matcha. All delish and a cool way to learn of new cafes in the area. I've had the Salvadoran coffee pop up (can't remember the name) and what coffee Vietnamese iced coffee (yum!). Restrooms at the park are very clean, however my son has a sensitivity to noise so the bathrooms in the Sports Basement are where we go as they are quieter. Sports basement is a great place to checkout too. They have bikes you can rent for the family (the ones that ride like 6 people) and so on. Definitely check this place out when you're in the city!

    This area of SF has been our new favorite since avoiding it like the plague due to an unfortunate…read moresmash & grab years ago. Presidio Tunnel Tops is definitely the new parkland that The City deserves! This is a vast haven with lush greeneries and play areas for kids, adults and paw companions. Reservations are encouraged for larger groups with assigned picnic tables and lawn areas, otherwise, it's a first come first served basis with people setting up blankets in the well manicured grass turf. With magnificent views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Palace of Fine Arts and SF's iconic skyline, while standing on one spot. What more could you ask for? Sans marine layer of course. This park is also near the Walt Disney Family Museum for fans of the house of mouse. Helpful reminders for first time visitors. Either get early for parking or forget the adjacent lots like the French Court area and just go to the Anza Avenue, Outpost Meadow or the Crissy Field East Beach parking areas. Parking is free after 6 PM to 8 AM, so that is a plus for sunset vigils. Don't forget to pay at any of the kiosks! Plate number is mandatory. No printed receipt needed. It gets chilly and windy here so bring layers even in the summer. If you can, bring your own snacks and drinks as food truck and Il Parco offerings can get tourist trap pricey. All-Gender restrooms with communal sinks are located by the Presidio Field Station and the cafe.

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    Presidio Tunnel Tops
    Presidio Tunnel Tops
    Presidio Tunnel Tops - Seating to avoid the wind

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    Seating to avoid the wind

    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4.8(433 reviews)
    11.5 mi

    Just past SF this park has so many different trail options perfect for all hiking levels. The…read moredownside is this place gets PACKED! My sister and I arrived before 8am at the Watershed parking lot and barely found a space. We did the trail that took us to the West Point Inn for the pancake breakfast and round trip was close to 5 miles so it was a great workout. There's gorgeous views and well! On the way back to the 101 however it's a mess. The road on the way down is crowded with parked cars, which makes driving through challenging. That's the only thing about this park, other than that I'd love to come back in spring when everything is green and vibrant!

    My first association of Mt Tam is from Cowgirl Creamery's best seller, Mt Tam Triple Cream with…read moreHeart cheese. Ever since then, I've wanted to hike this peak, today I have achieved my wish. Early June with mild coastal temp, 50s-60s. Started up Matt Davis Trail in the foggy forest, to Pantoll Campground, to West Point Inn where we can look down to the top of the fog layer, to the Fire Lookout building at the Peak. Then we came down reverse but split off to Steep Ravine and Dip Sea trail after the campground. I've also always wanted to climb that ladder. This hike provided views of the Pacific ocean on the West as well as views of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on the East side. I thoroughly enjoyed the cool lush forest, but actually my favorite section was the single track along the slope of the open area after the Mt Tam State Park sign.

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    Mount Tamalpais State Park - Yummy time for critters

    Yummy time for critters

    Mount Tamalpais State Park
    Mount Tamalpais State Park

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    Lafayette Park - Lots of monkey bars at Lafayette Park!

    Lafayette Park

    4.5(188 reviews)
    2.3 miPacific Heights

    We were in the area for a festival and read that this park was great for dogs and had a dog park…read morearea. We walked up the HUGE San Francisco hill to the park, and then the whole park is a hill. The park is beautiful, there are sidewalks throughout, a nice playground for kids, a dog park area with a fence around it, and a summit area. Near the summit there was a coffee truck, Native Twins Coffee, that was perfect to grab a coffee or matcha. The dog park was a good size, it's long and fenced in, but on the hill so if you're planning on playing fetch/catch with your dog it'll either be throwing up hill or chasing it downhill. There were some trees, so there was some shade in the area too, plus a water fountain in case your dog gets thirsty. I will say, there were dogs all over the park off leash, not just in the turfed dog area. The dogs that were off leash were well behaved, but we kept an eye on our dog (on leash) and the others around us just to be safe. The summit is really pretty with some areas to sit down and plenty of shade. The view was great, and there were groups of people there for a birthday party. The playground area also had some seating nearby and another party was happening in that area. Despite the giant hill, this was a very cute park. I'd definitely stop by again.

    We really enjoy coming to Lafayette Park Playground this morning for an early Easter egg hunting…read moreevent--it's quite unique compared to other playgrounds in the city. The layout is more challenging and perfect for little explorers who love to climb, balance, and stay active. My 3-year-old always finds something new to do, and it keeps them engaged for a long time. I also appreciate that babies aren't left out--there are designated areas where younger kids can safely play too. The restroom is conveniently located and clean, which is a big plus for families. That said, some of the rocky edges can be a bit risky for adventurous kids, so it's definitely a place where you'll want to keep a close eye on them at all times. The only downside is parking--it can be pretty tough to find a spot, especially during busy times. Overall, it's a fun and exciting playground that's great for kids of different ages, as long as you're prepared for a bit of supervision and a parking hunt!

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    Lafayette Park
    Lafayette Park
    Lafayette Park

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    Lily Pond - parks - Updated September 2026

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