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    Blue Heron Lake

    4.6 (136 reviews)

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    Lake
    Steve A.

    Golden Gate Park has a lot of lakes. It has this one which was man made and is one of the oldest. Blue Heron Lake is known for the hill and waterfalls among other stuff found here. A pagoda is on the east side of this. The island with the hill is one of the most popular points to get views. A lot to do around. It's good for boating or hiking. This is a man made lake. Hard to believe. On the east of the island is the Chinese Pavilion. It can be rented out. Popular for picnics. A popular place on the lake is the boathouse. It's been here since 1893 and is the launching pad for boats to go around the lake. The boats include pedal boats and rowboats. In the middle of the lake is an island. This is known for the good views. Get here by either of the two bridges. Strawberry Hill is on top. Good climb. This takes awhile but it's worth going to it seems. Certainly it's not all natural to be honest. It's a man made lake, so it's harder to appreciate the beauty or whatever it happens to be for sure. This lake may get another name before long but it takes it from the scenery for others to think about though.

    See the fence in the back?
    Nancy C.

    Quick take: boating and trails Stow Lake is a beautiful lake inside GGP. We walked the perimeter and the trails that go through this area. Most of the lake is fenced off temporarily for tree removal and maintenance. We didn't see any pedal boats or row boats on the water today. Not sure if the boathouse area was open or closed. We will be back for the boats next time.

    turtles too

    Walk around a lake. Hike up for views. A waterfall. Plenty of shade. Ducks. Turtles. Free parking. What more do you need?

    Tinah Y.

    I absolutely love this place. If I lived here, I would probably come here for a and walk every day. Parking is free. They have a nice walkway all around the lake. Very family friendly. You can rent a row boat or a paddle boat. And if it's warm out, you may see some turtles!

    Alex D.

    Beautiful lake in the middle of Golden Gate Park. It is pretty hidden and a lot of people don't know about it, but I highly recommend it! You can ride a small boat on the lake, have a picnic or relaxing time alone, or see the beautiful Pavilion located on the tiny island in the lake.

    Phil A.

    There is a lot to like about Stow Lake!! Located in Golden Gate Park, this Great Lake surrounds Strawberry Hill. There are 2 bridges that cross over the lake leading to Strawberry Hill. The street surrounding the lake is a one way street with parking pretty much on both sides. You can rent paddle boats from the Boathouse when it's open. Or you can just walk around the lake on the path, or sit at one of the many benches around the lake, which many people do. Crossing over the lake you can hike up Strawberry Hill, or check out the Chinese Pavilion or the fantastic waterfall there. There are ducks and geese aplenty here also. It's about 1 mile to walk around the lake, nice and short, I always enjoy coming here!!

    Beautiful Stow Lake
    David L.

    I have been coming to Stow Lake since I was a kid. We use to ride our bikes to the top of the mountain and ride back down. It was a blast. The place has changed a little since I was a kid but still a very nice place to walk and of course people watch. It is always clean and well kept. My parents and their friends often come to walk around the lake to. It is a great place for the family.

    My boyfriend and I!
    Rachelle P.

    "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature." "It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~Henry David Thoreau On Saturday afternoon my boyfriend and I stopped by to see this amazing lake and oh what a gorgeous lake it was! We enjoyed people watching as couples canoed, peddled pedal boats and snuggled on picnic blankets on a beautiful summer's day! Seeing ducks and geese glide their wings through the gentle waters, as we kissed. I couldn't imagine a more romantic way to spend an afternoon! I would highly recommend visiting this amazing lake in Golden Gate Park, especially if you have a sweetheart, even a solo stroll to enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature! We will definitely be making a return visit to rent one of their pedal boats, I've always wanted to try it! Probably bring a picnic basket as well!

    Golden Gate Pavilion at Stow Lake
    Lilian M.

    Stow Lake is a gem in the city with a plethora of wildlife to see. In the spring, you can often spot some baby Canadian geese or ducklings. I have occasionally spotted a coyote. Attractions: The Chinese Pavilion is a lovely spot for photos. I often see people renting out the paddle boats for dates around Stow Lake. It's also a nice place to picnic or hike.

    Beautiful!
    Nadine C.

    Beautiful oasis in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California... My friend, Eric R., was awarded Review of the Day (ROTD) for this landmark, so I really wanted to see Stow Lake and the waterfall! During my most recent visit to San Francisco, my friend's friend, Ed, was our chauffeur and tour guide for the day. He was excellent! He knew where everything was! Ed showed us Stow Lake and brought us to the waterfall! He even had us climb up to the top of the waterfall! It was awesomely thrilling! We walked around the lake and saw people in the paddleboats. We hiked around and enjoyed the lush, green scenery... I wouldn't mind returning!

    Joanne G.

    A great place to relax in the middle of the city and to get away from the city without getting away. You can decompress just by watching the squirrels, the ducks, turtles and all kinds of wildlife. You can also get your exercise by walking around the lake or walk up Strawberry Hill. It's an easy walk with beautiful views. There's a concession stand by the boathouse and you can also rent paddle and tie boats. I don't recommend you going in the lake though. It's also centrally located inside Golden Gate Park as it's close to a lot of attractions. Best of all, the parking is free.

    Emily L.

    Of the many times coming to SF and golden gate park in particular, I have never been to stow lake. I see so many posts about the lake and the hidden falls, boat rides, and many landscapes here, but still have never been. Thanks to tik tok, this place has been wildly visited over the year. I still never had the urge to go but I found myself here last weekend while waiting for my wings at san tung. It was an hour wait, so what better to do than go to the park across the street? I love that the lake is a one way street and you can practically park anywhere. The boat rentals were closed by the time we visited the park. The rest of the golden gate was packed but I think because the rentals were closed, the lake was empty. I love that they have this park in the middle of the city. It is quick an oasis from the bustling city.

    Stow lake
    Sep R.

    Stow lake is a must visit! It is located inside of golden gate park & there is plenty of parking! We visited this past weekend & everyone was wearing masks which was really nice. This is a perfect spot to take your family. There are lots of turtles & ducks in the water for the kids. You can also rent pedal boats from the boathouse. There is also a beautiful waterfall located here. Although there were lots of people gathered around to take pictures there. The Chinese pavilion & bridge are also really pretty. Definitely a picturesque spot & local favorite!

    Great place for a picnic, duck love'n, or simply to dream

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    waited over an hour when they said 30 minute wait. the line is messy and unsure how they keep people on time

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    Page 1 of 4

    Blue Heron Lake Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Blue Heron Lake

    Are there any restrooms open at this location during the pandemic? Thanks

    yes the bathroom is open to public

    How do I get to the waterfall?

    I found it on Google Maps as Huntington Falls. Northeast of Strawberry Hill. Hope that helps.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Blue Heron Lake

    Deep within Golden gate park lies Stow lake and unlike many of it's neighbors, there is no entrance fee.

    Mentioned in 41 reviews

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    Lake Anza - Lake Anza at Tilden Regional Park - Berkeley, CA

    Lake Anza

    4.3(103 reviews)
    15.0 mi

    This is an idyllic place to hike and picnic in Tilden. There is a lake (pond?) that has a swimming…read morearea, but I personally don't think it is especially clean for that. But there are lots of turtles and birds to watch. For picnics, there are tables and a large grassy expanse for laying down a spread and also playing frisbee. For a hike, the loop around the lake (pond?) is perfect for kids and adults who are able to climb rocks and scramble comfortably along a few narrow strips of the trail. There is a bridge and an area where kids like to explore the creek. There are other paths off the lake, but those do tend to have more mountain bikes. This is an especially nice park when we have our late summer weather in September and October. Plenty of parking.

    Lake Care…read more Recreational swimming reservoir located in Tilden Regional Park that was named after Spanish "explorer" Juan Bautista de Anza. The Good: *Free *Swimmable *There's a beach area** with actual sand *Fishing allowed (w/ CA fishing license [$62]) *±3/4-mile loop trail around the lake that has some gorgeous almost Hoh Rainforest-like vibes (IYKYK). *Restrooms** *Large paved lot The Meh: *Area has signs about a dangerous algae bloom in the water, so if you do go swimming, make sure not to intake too much water--and keep your pets away from it! *There's also signs telling you how to prepare any fish you catch here. The Ugly: *As the signs state "Rough Trail," and boy howdy is it rough. Especially when it's wet, as some of the trails around the backside were ultra thick, slippery mud which had us fighting for our lives! Bring a hiking pole(s) or a hiking stick to help with steadying yourself. Conclusion: Cool spot with a trepidatious hike that's for a good payoff. Gird your loins and just do it! **area was under construction when we visited in Dec '24, but we're assuming it'll be done by summer?

    Photos
    Lake Anza - Lake Anza at Tilden Regional Park - Berkeley, CA

    Lake Anza at Tilden Regional Park - Berkeley, CA

    Lake Anza - Lake Anza

    Lake Anza

    Lake Anza - Lake Anza

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    Lake Anza

    Bon Tempe Lake - Coming back to the lake.

    Bon Tempe Lake

    4.5(28 reviews)
    14.2 mi

    This is actually just one of several reservoirs that make up the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. There…read moreare also creeks and a dam that add to the features. One of the main roads to get up there is just above the town of Fairfax in Marin County. It is a windy road but short, like 10 minutes or so. There are also a lot of bikers who like this area, so watch out on those narrow roads. Once you get closer to the park, the pavement stops and you will have to drive on large gravel for quite a bit, so don't be bringing your high end luxury car here. Lol Once there, an $8 parking fee through a kiosk awaits. I did a 6 mile loop starting at the dam and starting on Alpine lake. Easy start for the first mile or so, with most of it being lakeside. Then the middle 3 miles goes deeper into the forest cover and is more strenous, a constant climb that will speed up the heart rate. Love doing this amongst forest air. Deep in city confines...not so much. The descend will bring you back to where Alpine Lake and Bon Tempe Lake meets, by the dam. The top of hike is exposed and rocky but still gorgeous. Actually reminded me a bit of Tahoe with rocky trails and exposed blue skies. There will be a view of the lower elevations of Southern Marin County. There will also be many glimpses of neighboring Mt. Tam. And after that great morning workout, I was able to have a nice relaxing outdoor meal at one of the many charming independent restaurants in Fairfax, just 10 minutes down the road. Great way to start my stay-cation.

    A post on NextDoor.com caught my attention. Someone had just moved to the neighborhood and was…read moreasking how they could hike without paying the $8 parking fee they'd noticed in some areas. The deluge of responses made it clear: if you're paying to park in Marin County, you're doing something wrong. With only a single exception in memory, I don't think I've paid to hike anywhere in the county and these days all I do is hike. But, if you want to hike the grounds of the Mount Tam Watershed it is true that there's a $8 cost to that. You can get around this by purchasing an annual parking pass or checking a pass out from the Marin County Library system. Bon Tempe Lake is my favorite hike within this area of the Mt. Tam Watershed. With an easy to follow, well-trod, 4.8 mile path around the lake's perimeter, and situated only minutes from downtown Fairfax, Bon Tempe is a quintessential Marin experience. You're in nature, beside a gorgeous, placidly serene lake yet only 10 minutes from a good brunch or latte. There's nothing difficult about the hike around the lake and though it isn't flat, it's elevations are quite gentle. If you need more, add a loop around Lake Lagunitas (the two paths intersect) to increase your hike by another 1.2 miles. Fishing is allowed here (but no swimming) and the parking area - for Bon Tempe in particular - fills up early on weekends. All the more reason to make time for Bon Tempe on a weekday. There's lots of hiking options here in the Watershed but for my money, the half-shaded-half-sunny path around Bon Tempe is the loveliest of them all.

    Photos
    Bon Tempe Lake - Morning Blues. (That's Mt Tam out yonder)

    Morning Blues. (That's Mt Tam out yonder)

    Bon Tempe Lake - Start to climb. Through redwoods.

    Start to climb. Through redwoods.

    Bon Tempe Lake - Gloomier morning, but it cleared up within an hour.

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    Gloomier morning, but it cleared up within an hour.

    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4.8(435 reviews)
    11.2 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.

    Photos
    Mount Tamalpais State Park - Yummy time for critters

    Yummy time for critters

    Mount Tamalpais State Park
    Mount Tamalpais State Park

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    Blue Heron Lake - lakes - Updated May 2026

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