Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8. DE YOUNG MUSEUM
Set in a beautiful garden located in the heart of the park, this landmark museum ex-
hibits art from Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific. Also has an astounding collec-
Google Map
9. BUFFALO PADDOCK
American buffalo were first brought here in 1894. In 1984 a small herd was given a
home again, roaming under the eucalyptus trees.
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10. DUTCH WINDMILL AND QUEEN WILHELMINA TULIP
GARDEN
The windmill, and the tulip garden that surrounds it, were both gifts from the queen
of the Netherlands in 1902. The windmill is one of the world's largest and was re-
stored in 1981.
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A Miracle of Land Reclamation
The park's more than 1,000 acres are some 3 miles (5 km) long and half a mile
(1 km) wide, making it the largest cultivated urban park in the US. There are
27 miles (43 km) of footpaths, winding through gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and
forests. But it was not always so. Before the 1870s the entire area was sandy
wastes and scrubland. William Hammond Hall made great progress over two
decades, then hired Scottish gardener John McLaren in 1890. “Uncle John”, as
he was known, made the park his life's work, devoting himself to its perfection
until his death in 1943, at the age of 97.
Tip:
For information and a map of the park, stop at the McLaren Lodge Vis-
itor Center, originally the home of the park's chief gardener
501 Stanyan St,
open 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri
.
