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The Golden Gate Park Carousel

320 Bowling Green Drive, 94118

The carousel is open on a daily basis. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Mondays through Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From the day after Labor Day through the Day before Memorial Day, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Thursdays and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last ride is set to take place 15 minutes prior to closing.

$$

playground, fun-paid-activities

Your children will love wandering around the artistic and whimsical Golden Gate Park Carousel as they decide which character will parade them around. 

Will it be the dragon, camel, giraffe, ostrich, tiger, horse, rooster, or frog? Or perhaps a pig or a dog?  With over 60 animals to choose from, it may take a minute to decide! However, no matter who they choose, all will take them on a magical ride! The carousel also has benches to relax on and a German Band organ. The inside panels are decorated with paintings of iconic San Francisco landscapes. It is the perfect spot for visitors and locals alike.

The Golden Gate Park Carousel was originally built in 1914, 26 years after the playground it sits adjacent to, opened in 1888. This one in particular is the third that has been rebuilt since then. Take the whole family on this cool and affordable ride before heading over to the playground. Adults tickets are $2 and children under 5 are free with a paying adults. Children ages 6-12 are $1 per ride. You also have the option to reserve a picnic area next to the carousel and playground, if you’d like to have a picnic and make a full day of the adventure. The Koret Children’s Quarter Playground is a favorite for both kids and adults with it’s historic slide and fun climbing structures.

Location: The Golden Gate Park Carousel is found at 320 Bowling Green Drive, between John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This is adjacent to the Koret Children’s Quarter (playground) by the Sharon Building.

Features

Good for All Ages Good for young kids Carousel park playground area
Thoughtfully captured by:
Emily Coleman
Emily Coleman is a Jersey girl born and raised who caught the outdoor bug upon moving to Vermont to pursue a degree in Adventure Education and Environmental Studies from Green Mountain College. She spent most of her years before college deeply entrenched in the world of competitive cheerleading before discovering a passion for outdoor sports including mountain biking, white water kayaking, bikepacking, backpacking, slacklining, rock climbing, and skiing. Having been surrounded by children her entire life in her mother's daycare, she always had a strong affinity for kids. She moved to the mountains of Jackson Hole after graduating to coach for the local Kayak Club during the summers and nanny in the winters. Becoming a part of the Happy Active Family team felt like the perfect collision of her passion for building strong community bonds and encouraging an outdoor lifestyle.
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