Gardens and landmarks that never charge
Free at all times: Blue Heron Lake and Strawberry Hill with Huntington Falls; the Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Dahlia Garden and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden; the National AIDS Memorial Grove; the bison paddock; the Dutch and Murphy windmills; Lloyd Lake and the Portals of the Past; the Koret playground; Hippie Hill; and the Beach Chalet murals. At the de Young, the Hamon Observation Tower and sculpture garden are free.
Free hours at the paid attractions
The Japanese Tea Garden is free Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. The Botanical Garden is free daily from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and on the second Tuesday of the month. The Conservatory of Flowers is free on the first Tuesday of the month. The de Young is free for Bay Area residents on Saturdays, and the Academy of Sciences offers neighborhood free weekends to San Francisco residents. All three gardens are always free for San Francisco residents with ID.
Free music and events
The Golden Gate Park Band plays free concerts at the Spreckels Temple of Music on most Sundays at 1 p.m. from April to September. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the free festival, fills the western meadows on the first weekend of October. On winter evenings, the Conservatory’s Photosynthesis light show is free from the lawn.
Free ways to get around
The free park shuttle runs along the eastern half of the park every day: every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays and every 25 minutes on weekday afternoons. Walking the car-free JFK Promenade is free, and so is the 3-mile walk to Ocean Beach.
Frequently asked questions
Is Golden Gate Park free?
Yes. Entry to the park is free, and most gardens, lakes and landmarks are free. Only the museums, three garden attractions, carousel and rentals charge.
What is free at the de Young?
The Hamon Observation Tower and the sculpture garden are always free, and Bay Area residents get free general admission on Saturdays.
