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Mission4

Golden Gate Park: Tower and Bison

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Ride up the free de Young tower, then go find the bison herd.

Start at the de Young and ride the elevator up its glass-walled tower for a free view over the city, the park and the bay. Each point out one place you'd want to go next. Then walk or bike west through the park past lakes and meadows to the Bison Paddock, where a small herd lives in the middle of the city. The photo to get: you at the fence with the shaggy bison behind you.

  • Date or adventure
  • Half day
  • Moderate
  • Free
  • Outdoors
  • Daytime

Good with just you, friends, family, and kids

Check before you go: opening hours

Ask about discounts: seniors and students

de Young Museum (Hamon Observation Tower), Golden Gate Park, San Francisco50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
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Kids' version

Park explorer! Find each thing.

  1. The city from the tall tower
  2. A duck on a lake
  3. A big shaggy bison!
  4. A selfie in the park!

Checked November 2026

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About this place

Bison have lived in Golden Gate Park since the 1890s, when the park brought them in to help save the species from dying out. The paddock is near Spreckels Lake, well over two miles west of the de Young, so rent bikes or pick just one stop if you'd rather. Much of JFK Drive is now closed to cars, which makes it an easy ride.

The de Young's tower is free, even without a museum ticket. The building's copper skin was designed to slowly turn green as it weathers, so it blends into the trees. Golden Gate Park is bigger than New York's Central Park.

Also in: Free Date Ideas · Kid-Friendly Adventures

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