Up until our most recent trip to San Francisco I had spent very little time in Golden Gate Park. Now, it is pretty much the one place I want to spend all my time when I visit San Francisco. There is so much to see and do in Golden Gate Park from the De Young Museum, to the Japanese Garden, California Academy of Sciences, Stow Lake and the Old Dutch windmill to name just a few. Golden Garden Park reminds me a little bit of Central Park largely in part because they both feel like a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. As you walk throughout the park there is so much to look at and enjoy from gardens, to fountains, pathways and even an ice cream truck here or there.

In the past, I had limited my time in San Francisco to the space between the Presidio and the Ferry Building with the occasional shopping excursion to Union Square. Now, I am much more interested in spending the majority of time in the northwestern part of San Francisco. Places like Ocean Beach, Lands End, Sutro Baths and Golden Gate Park will always be the first things I check off my to do list when I am there.

The observation tower at the De Young Museum is free and offers 360 degree views of the park and city beyond. There is a small gift shop there which features books about the city.

To the side of the De Young Museum there is a small sculpture park featuring a gigantic safety pin and several red apples to name just a few works of art.

Stow Lake offers paddle boat and row boat rentals. There is also a lovely path which loops around the lake which you can bike or walk.

The California Academy of Sciences features an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest with butterflies, a natural history museum and a rotating exhibit upstairs.

The living roof at the Academy of Sciences provides sunlight to the rainforest and captures almost all the rainwater which falls.

Between the two museums there is a small garden which features a fountain and has plenty of park benches to sit and enjoy a snack or soak up the sunshine.

You could easily spend two full days at Golden Gate Park between the museums and the walking paths, but plan to spend at least a day here to have time to check out all the beauty tucked away in the northwestern part of the city.