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San Francisco, CA

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Lily Pond

4.4 (15 reviews)

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Lily Pond
Tim T.

This is like stumbling upon a bit of Jurassic Park in the middle of San Francisco! You enter via the primordial Tree Fern Dell, while the upper reaches of the lake are bounded by inaccessible rocky cliffs.

Montage of images from Lily Pond
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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20 days ago

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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12 years ago

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11 years ago

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18 years ago

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18 years ago

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10 years 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(157 reviews)
2.2 mi•Presidio

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!

With views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the rest of the city, it's easy to see why you'd want to…read morespend some time here. The Presidio is such a cool part of SF, and this is a great spot to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and catch up with friends or family. The East Meadow is also near the recently opened Mess Hall, which makes it a convenient location if you're planning to spend a little more time in the area. You can keep things simple and just hang out, or plan ahead for a gathering. There are picnic tables available to rent, and you can even reserve part or all of the East Meadow! Definitely something to keep in mind if you're looking for an outdoor spot to bring a group together. What I like about this area is that the setting itself is such a big part of the experience. You have space to gather and those classic San Francisco views right around you. Whether you're planning a picnic or just looking for somewhere to enjoy an afternoon, the East Meadow is worth checking out!

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Mission Dolores Park

Mission Dolores Park

4.6(1.6k reviews)
2.0 mi•Castro

Such a beautiful and clean park!…read more The grass is very well maintained, and the whole area feels peaceful and relaxing. It's a perfect place for a picnic

Dolores Park in San Francisco is a fantastic place for outdoor exercise, dog walking, volleyball,…read moreor simply enjoying a picnic with friends on a sunny day. I recently visited with a friend from Texas who had heard great things about the park and couldn't resist seeing it for himself. He was thoroughly impressed by the positive and healthy lifestyle activities taking place there. People of all ages were engaged in various activities, including soccer, volleyball, jogging, and even a dance party. Some individuals were participating in a meditation circle, promoting mindfulness and relaxation. My friend was particularly drawn to the emphasis on health and fitness in this park, which he believes contributes to California's healthier environment compared to Texas. After visiting Dolores Park, my friend expressed a strong desire to move to San Francisco. He was captivated by the idea of living in a place where people prioritize their physical well-being alongside socializing. He envisioned a lifestyle where everyone values their health and fitness, making it easier to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life. While I had visited Dolores Park once for an event, it was a truly enjoyable experience. I came without any specific agenda and simply relaxed on a bench, engaging in conversations with friends. We talked about life, dreams, and the importance of connecting with one another. It was an uplifting and fun experience that left me feeling inspired and motivated.

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Golden Gate Park - Shooters Shoot ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Golden Gate Park

4.7(1.4k reviews)
0.4 mi

Had a delightful time at the free Comedy Day celebration in Robin Williams Meadow this past…read moreweekend, which I've been to at least six times now. Also did a little rollerblading at the Skatin' Place which happens on select Sundays. It was pretty chill. We even skated along the JFK Promenade to check out the artworks (old and new) and live music happening in various locations. I regularly visit this park because there are so many awesome events that happen here, some that I've attended include music festivals, Symphony in the Park and Bandshell concerts at the Spreckels Temple of Music, the SF International Chocolate Salon, and the Entwined Lighted Forest. There are also plenty of trails I've taken advantage of for running, and lakes and waterfalls I've explored and set up a mat for lounging nearby, like the scenic Blue Heron Lake that offers pedal boat rentals and Lloyd Lake with the Portals of the Past monument, a unique memorial and piece of history. A huge variety of trees and plant life surround you wherever you go, along with waterbirds and other adorable creatures, and lots of grass for picnicking. There are also beautiful gardens galore including the SF Botanical Garden where the annual Flower Piano takes place, the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, and a bunch that are free to visit like the Shakespeare Garden, Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, Dahlia Dell, and Fuchsia Dell. Countless public art displays and projects can be found throughout the park, some of my faves being the Rabbitwoman and Dogman sculptures along the Golden Mile pathway and the sea serpent "Naga and the Captainess" at Rainbow Falls. I've also checked out a plethora of museums and attractions here over the years, such as Cal Academy of Sciences, the paddock bison, and the dutch-style windmills. I never seem to run out of interesting things to see, do, and experience at GGP. There are multiple public restrooms as well as both a pay garage and free street parking winding through the park too.

This 1017 acre park is incredible huge that housed a museum, academy of science, a botanical…read moregarden/ conservatory of flowers, a Japanese tea garden , as well as a lake!! So much luscious towering trees like eucalyptus groves, as well as enormous massive cypress trees and so much green grass open spaces !!!! Boat rentals are available at the lake!! Food trucks by the covered open stage and surrounded with benches to enjoy live music performances!!! What a day to spend with my grandkids enjoying an open space under the shady trees while eating our food truck eats!!

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Lafayette Park - Lots of monkey bars at Lafayette Park!

Lafayette Park

4.5(189 reviews)
2.3 mi•Pacific Heights

Landscaping is intentional, benches all around, beautiful trees and peaceful crowds. Truly love…read moreevery visit.

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.

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Lily Pond - parks - Updated October 2026

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