Golden Gate Chinese Pavilion — Local services in San Francisco

Amazing to consider that the majestic beauty stretching to the ocean one way and Stanyan the opposite) only exists at all because a man named William Hammond Hall drove his mules to the edge of Stanyan where the sand dunes began and fed them barley…which took root and allowed him to have the vision of the park that allowed him to become the first Superintendent. If you walk the path down to the closed northern road (John F. Kennedy Drive, weekends only) toward McLaren Lodge on Stanyan you pass the open air skating rink (6th Avenue Skate Park) and the Conservatory of Flowers on one side and a world-class tennis club alongside the backside of Hippie Hill on the other. Three miles of sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean less than 200 years ago…remains amazing to contemplate five decades of...

Looks like a regular gazebo with an exaggerated Chinese aesthetic slapped on, but I can still appreciate some good architecture. It feels slightly out of place but I guess that makes it stand out more, and the water compliments it. You’re likely to pass it if you’re on the way to the Huntington Falls or paddling a boat on the lake. Small and cute, picture-worthy landmark. I was surprised to see there is some seating inside, but I was only walking by and didn’t get to enter. ...

A great simple hike, Stow Lake offers variety of natural and man made features to experience. Climb the stairs alongside the waterfall and eat a picnic lunch atop Strawberry Hill. If the ascent is too much for you, the pagoda is a shaded, calm, lakeside viewing area to sit and relax. The boathouse cafe has a large offering of food and drink to choose from, and a large indoor eating area. Oh, and paddle boats and row boats are available to rent for the more...