Union Square to Golden Gate Park

Heading up Market Street towards Golden Gate Park is a pretty easy route and only slightly uphill.

We've picked a route which weaves between the hills to keep your pedaling efforts to a minimum.

Two blocks from Union Square, Westfield Shopping Center contains a Century Theatres multiplex and over 170 stores including the west coast flagship Bloomingdale's and the second largest Nordstrom store in the U.S.

(415) 512-6776
Free admission.
http://westfield.com/sanfrancisco

If you're looking to shop until you drop, then look no further than Union Square. The Union Square area of San Francisco includes hotels, department stores, upscale boutiques, theaters, etc.

Union Square was also the principal exterior location for the famous 1974 movie ‘The Conversation’, directed by San Francisco resident Francis Ford Coppola.

Free admission.
http://www.unionsquareshop.com

Rebuilt after being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, the City Hall and surrounding landscape is an impressive sight to behold. Head inside the building and you’ll remain impressed, and you can even sign up for a free 45 minute tour.

Movie buffs may recognize the building from some prominent San Francisco films including Milk, Bedazzled, The Rock and Dirty Harry.

(415) 554-6139
Free admission and free tour.
http://sfgsa.org/index.aspx?page=1172

A side trip here would add 0.2 miles to your total journey. You will have a hill to tackle on this side trip, but since the route is so short it should be a small obstacle only.

Surviving the twin threats of earthquakes and redevelopment, many fine examples of Victorian homes still exist today scattered throughout the city, but none are so well-known as the Painted Ladies on Alamo Square. You’ll have seen them in every guidebook and on every postcard rack (which is why this viewpoint is also known as 'Postcard Row') and you may even remember them from the TV - on the opening credits of Full House.

Built between 1892 and 1896 these ornate homes are perfect examples of the era and contrast superbly with the modern city skyline which serves as a backdrop.

Free admission.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Ladies

Travel for three blocks along the busy Oak Street in one-way traffic heading downhill. If you prefer to avoid the busy traffic you might want to take Page Street instead.

A side trip here would add 0.3 miles to your total journey. This route is slightly uphill to Haight Ashbury.

If you’re going to San Francisco, you might want to be sure to wear flowers in your hair when you’re visiting Haight Ashbury, a neighborhood forever immortalized by the era of the Summer of Love.

Back in 1967 a perfect storm of counter-culture, psychedelic rock music and drug subculture all came together here. The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin all called this neighborhood home, while the mainstream media became enamored with stories about the area, the “hippies” and the music.

As brief as a real season, the Summer of Love was soon overcome by the immense numbers of people from all walks of life who were drawn to the scene, either to join in with the celebrations, or - more frequently - simply as curious onlookers.

Echoes of the past can still be seen here and Haight Street’s eclectic mix of stores and boutiques can make for very interesting shopping.

Free admission.
http://en.wikipedia.org/haight-ashbury

One of the oldest playgrounds in the United States is still a great place to take the kids - whether their preference is for the sand pit, climbing frames or concrete slides.

The area even includes a 1914 era classic wooden carousel complete with a menagerie of animals to ride from horses and camels, to frogs and ostriches!

The oldest wood and glass conservatory in North America, the Conservatory of Flowers is not only wonderful example of Victorian architecture, but it also houses exotic plants, tropical flowers, and special exhibits.

(415) 831-2090
Paid admission.
http://conservatoryofflowers.org

The California Academy of Sciences is the only museum in the world that can boast an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and a four-story rainforest dome all under the same roof. Speaking of the roof, the open-air observation deck on the museum roof features the densest concentration of native wildflowers in San Francisco.

(415) 379-8000
Paid admission.
http://calacademy.org

The De Young Museum not only has world class art, but also has one of the best views of Golden Gate Park and San Francisco at its observation tower, a glass enclosed structure that provides 360 degree views.

The museum’s general collection includes American Painting, American Decorative Art, African Art, Art of the Americas, Oceanic Art, and Textile Arts. Check out the website for special events and collections.

(415) 750-3600
Paid admission.
http://deyoung.famsf.org

The San Francisco Botanical Garden contains over 8,000 varieties of plants from around the world spread out over 55 landscaped acres. You can see plants from New Zealand, South Africa, East Asia, Chile, Australia, as well as California natives. There are also some special gardens including a Meso-American Cloud Forest, a Redwood Trail, and a Children’s Garden.

(415) 661-1316
Paid admission (free for SF residents)
http://sfbotanicalgarden.org

USA's oldest public Japanese tea garden was originally built as the Japanese Village for the California Midwinter International Exposition in 1894, which pre-dates the more modern Worlds Fair festivals.

Wander through the garden and enjoy the decorative foilage, koi ponds, wooden bridges and artistic pagodas chased with a refreshing cup of tea and snack at the tea house.

(415) 668-0909
Paid admission.
http://japaneseteagardensf.com/

When you fancy a break from pedaling around the park, why not pedal around a Stow Lake instead? Or if you prefer to give your legs a rest, try renting a rowing boat instead to explore the lake, the waterfall and the pagoda. And try and spot some turtles, too.

Paid boat rental.
(415) 752-0347

A legacy of a century old commitment to conservation, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has been home to a small herd of bison since 1891 back when their numbers where dangerously low. Today’s animals still call the park home.

One of two windmills located within the park, the restored Dutch Windmill is an impressive landmark. Commissioned in 1902 the windmills were built to pump water to the park, but became relics once more effective electric pumps took over pumping duties.

Two restaurants, one building. Choose the upstairs Beach Chalet for views facing Ocean Beach and some spectacular sunsets, or decide on the slightly less formal Park Chalet at ground level which opens up onto lawns and patios. Both venues are highly recommended.

(415) 386-8439
http://www.beachchalet.com
http://www.parkchalet.com