Two windmills that watered a park
In the early 1900s the park needed far more water than the city could supply. The Dutch (north) Windmill, completed in 1903, and the larger Murphy (south) Windmill, completed in 1908, pumped groundwater to irrigate the young plantings. Electric pumps replaced them within a couple of decades, and both windmills fell into disrepair. The Dutch Windmill was restored to its original appearance in 1981, and the Murphy Windmill in 2011.
The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden
The tulip garden below the Dutch Windmill is named for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. Thousands of tulips bloom here from late February through April, usually peaking in March, followed by other spring bulbs and summer annuals. Entry is free and the garden is next to parking on the Great Highway side.
Murphy Windmill, the southern twin
The Murphy Windmill stands at the southwest corner of the park, near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and the Great Highway. It was one of the largest windmills of its kind in the world when built, and its restored cap and sails were reinstalled in 2011. The grounds around it are a quiet stop on the way to Ocean Beach.
Pair the windmills with the ocean
The Dutch Windmill is a two-minute walk from the Beach Chalet and across the road from Ocean Beach. Come late in the afternoon for side-light on the windmill and a sunset over the Pacific. The 5 Fulton ends nearby, and our bike route finishes here.
Frequently asked questions
When do the tulips bloom at the Dutch Windmill?
From late February into April, usually peaking in March.
Can you go inside the windmills?
No, the windmills are not generally open inside, but the grounds and tulip garden are free to visit.
Why are there windmills in Golden Gate Park?
They were built in 1903 and 1908 to pump groundwater for irrigating the park.
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