8 Great Weekend Adventures in Golden Gate Park

San Francisco’s urban playground, Golden Gate Park, covers 1,017 acres and stretches from the tip of the Panhandle to the Pacific. Miles of garden paths, plus two world-class museums, make it a prime destination rain or shine.

1. Step into the elegant Conservatory of Flowers for a trip to the steamy tropics and peruse orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, and other exotics.
2. View Maori wood carvings, Maya figurines, and American paintings and sculpture at the de Young Museum. VIP docent tours offer front-of-line access to special exhibitions.
3. At the California Academy of Sciences, the heavens glow in planetarium shows while butterflies, birds, and amphibians inhabit a walk-through rain forest. (AAA Members save 20% on admission purchased in advance.)
4. The wildlife is considerably tamer at the enclosed 1914 carousel in the Koret Children’s Quarter, where 62 brightly painted wooden creatures—including a dragon and a camel—circle a rousing German band organ.
5. A highlight of the San Francisco Botanical Garden is its collection of nearly 100 rare and historic magnolia trees, at their flowery finest mid-December through March.
6. Microbrews and pub grub, such as baked lobster mac and cheese, come with ocean views at the Beach Chalet. The lobby is adorned with stunning murals of 1930s San Francisco by Lucien Labaudt.
7. At Nopalito, just outside the park on Ninth Avenue, a bowl of pozole or a mug of Mexican hot chocolate warms you on a chilly day.
8. If the sun peeks out, head for Avenue Cyclery on Stanyan Street, one of several bike rental shops near the park.