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Tips to Visit Blue Heron Lake & Strawberry Hill in San Francisco
by Jill Loeffler •
Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake) is a beautiful artificial lake in the heart of Golden Gate Park.
What I love most about visiting this outdoor attraction is the amount of space it has to explore.
I love walking around Strawberry Hill, the island in the middle of the park that is easily accessible by two bridges.
While on the island, I enjoy getting a close-up look at Huntington Falls, checking out the hiking trails, and, if time allows, relaxing in the Golden Gate Pavilion.
Another great way to explore the lake is to rent a row or pedal boat from the boathouse for a few hours.
I also try to grab a sandwich or salad at the Blue Heron Lake Boathouse when I'm here during my lunch hour.
If you have extra time to spare, I recommend grabbing a seat on one of the benches next to the water and watching the birds and turtles play around in the water.
Whenever I visit Golden Gate Park, I try to stop here. I enjoy how quiet and peaceful it is most of the time since it's not as touristy or crowded as some other attractions in Golden Gate Park.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Strawberry Hill: Things to See and Do
Strawberry Hill is the name of the island in the middle of Blue Heron Lake.
To access the island, you will walk across one of two bridges. One is on the northern side, and the other is on the southern side of the lake.
Stroll around the path that circles the lake to find them.
On the island, you will find a few things to do.
Check Out Huntington Falls
Huntington Falls is by far the most popular attraction on the island. This 110-foot waterfall is manufactured, so it runs all year long.
It's on the island's eastern side and you can get some good views of it from the flat walking trail around the base of Strawberry Hill.
If you want to get a closer look, I recommend heading up the steps on both sides of the falls.
This is what the stairs look like at Huntington Falls. They are uneven, curved, and aren't the easiest to climb. They all have handrails, though, making them easier to climb.These steps are a bit uneven, and some are taller than normal, but it's a great way to see the different sections of the falls up close.
As you climb, there are also a couple of bridges over the falls, so that you can look down on the falls. It's also a great place to get some fantastic views around Blue Heron Lake.
Hike Around Strawberry Hill
This is a look at what the trails are like on Strawberry Hill. These are the flat trails around the perimeter of the island. They are wide, flat, and easy to walk.Strawberry Hill is small, but it does have some good hiking paths.
If you want a slow, easy hike, take the gravel and dirt path that loops around the corridor of the island. The entire loop is about a half-mile.
From this dirt path, you will also find a few ways to take you to other short trails on the island. These trails can easily add another half-mile or more to your walk.
Relax in the Golden Gate Pavilion
One of the other SF attractions on Strawberry Hill is the colorful Golden Gate Pavilion. Taipei gifted it to the city of San Francisco in the mid-1970s and it has called Blue Heron Lake home since.
It's on the eastern edge of the island. You can access it from the main dirt path that circles the island.
Its gorgeous red, green, and blue colors offer a beautiful backdrop for pictures, too.
There is a little seating inside. It's a great place to hang out, relax, and enjoy the day.
Boat Rentals at the Blue Heron Lake Boathouse
Another fun thing to do here is to rent a boat.
The Blue Heron Lake Boathouse is on the northwestern side of the lake. This is where you can rent both pedal boats and rowboats.
The boathouse is open daily from 11 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Thursday, and from 11 am to 5 pm, Friday - Sunday. Boat rentals end one hour before closing.
The cost to rent pedal boats is $32.50 an hour.
The cost for row boats is around $26 an hour.
The lake is a pretty decent size – so you could spend a relaxing hour or two on the boat.
Plenty of boats are usually available, so you don't need to worry about making a reservation in advance.
But keep in mind, they are first come, first served, so I recommend heading over earlier in the day on those busy summer days and holiday weekends.
Boat Rental Rules
You will want to keep a few things in mind before you renting a boat at Blue Heron Lake.
- Only ages 18 and older can take the boats out on their own. Those 15 to 17 may be in the boat on their own, but they must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver with them. Anyone 14 and under can only be in the boats with a parent or guardian.
- Rowboats only allow for three people. The pedal boats are only for four people.
- They provide life jackets, and everyone on the boat must wear them at all times.
- No swimming or diving into the water is allowed from the boats.
- The row boats allow for up to 450 pounds for all passengers. The pedal boats allow for up to 650 pounds for all passengers.
- You are not allowed to bring along or enjoy any substance before or on the boat that could impair you from safely operating the boat.
- Dogs are allowed on the boats with an additional $5 fee.
More Fun Ideas In and Around Golden Gate Park
In addition to visiting this outdoor Golden Gate Park attraction, you will find many other fun things to do around the park. Here are a few of my favorites.
- California Academy of Sciences: One of the top San Francisco museums is the California Academy of Sciences. One ticket allows you to explore its aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum. It's a 10-minute walk from Blue Heron Lake. Pick up skip-the-line tickets.
- Bike or eBike Rental: A fun way to explore this massive park is on a bike, and you can rent them on-site. Each rental also includes a helmet, map, bike bag, lock, and children's attachments. Find out more here.
- Hidden Stairways Tour: You will find some grand stairways to explore just steps outside Golden Gate Park. This tour includes visiting three sets of stairs, including two colorful mosaic staircases: the Hidden Garden Steps and the 16th Avenue Moraga Steps. Find out more here.
More Things to Do at Blue Heron Lake
Enjoy the Wildlife
This lake and the surrounding greenery are home to a variety of wildlife. Here are just a few of the types of animals you might see here.
- American Bullfrogs
- Northern Alligator Lizard
- Western Pond Turtle
- Pond Slider
- Several species of sapsuckers and woodpeckers
- Several species of gulls and hummingbirds
- Ducks (Northern Shoveler, Muscovy Duck, Mallard, etc.)
- Swallows, blackbirds, and orioles
- Raccoons
I love watching the turtles on the rocks and logs around the lake. These two are having fun in the sun.Note: Feeding the animals is not allowed here. Please do not feed the ducks and other birds bread. Also, watch your food, as the raccoons can get a little sneaky and steal food when you aren't watching.
You can also visit the iNaturalist site if you want to get a list of animals recently seen here.
Walk or Run on the Flat Trail Around the Lake
There is a relatively flat trail that circles the lake. It's one of the best places to run - since there usually aren't very many people here. On this trail, you don't have to fight any major San Francisco hills.
It's also fun to stroll around this trail, watching the birds and the turtles. The trail has several benches, so you can sit down and rest for a while, too.
The entire loop around the lake is just over a mile long (about 1.1 miles), so it takes only about 20 minutes to walk around without stopping. When I used to run here every week, I would run the loop a few times to get in some good mileage.
Relax in the Meadows Around the Lake
You will see several places to relax and unwind around the lake. Two large meadows offer plenty of room to spread out and picnic tables.
It's a great place to bring a picnic, a book, or some friends and hang out for a few hours or all day!
Grab Lunch or a Snack at the Blue Heron Lake Cafe and Gift Shop
If you want to grab some yummy bites and a drink or two, then you should check out the Blue Heron Lake Cafe.
All ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and sustainably grown if possible. Some items on the menu include hamburgers, salads, wraps, and even vegan choices.
Beer and wine are also available.
There are a handful of places to sit inside if you prefer to eat before you set off to explore this area of Golden Gate Park.
This is what the seating is like inside the boathouse. You order at the counter outside, they give you a number, and then they will let you know when it's ready for you to pick up at the window.You can also grab a coffee, espresso, or other drink to enjoy while walking around the lake.
There is also a little gift shop here with some sweatshirts, souvenirs, and historic postcards of the area.
They are open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm.
Other Things to Know for Your Visit
Restrooms at Blue Heron Lake
There are two sets of restrooms near the lake.
One is in the boathouse on the northern end of the lake.
The second set of restrooms is off Martin Luther King Drive near the lake's southern end.
How to Get Here from the Entrances
The easiest way to get here is by entering the park from the north at the 8th Avenue entrance. From here, take a left and head west along John F. Kennedy Drive.
A small trail leads from John F. Kennedy Drive into Blue Heron Lake.
From the south, the easiest way to enter is from 9th Avenue.
Take that street (which turns into Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive once you enter the park) all the way around until you see the sign that says Blue Heron Lake. From here, you will have to walk up a small hill to reach the lake.
It's about a half-mile walk or more from these entrances.
You can see both entrances and your destination on the map below.
The blue star marks the lake.
Parking Near the Lake
You can usually find some good parking around Golden Gate Park. Unless it's a busy holiday weekend or mid-day on a regular weekend, you can usually find parking on Blue Heron Lake Drive (some signs might still say Stow Lake), which circles the lake.
There are also a few accessible parking spots that allow you to easily access the trail around the lake from your car.
You will also find a small parking lot near the boathouse for another 20 or so cars. They also have about four handicap spots in this lot.
This is also where the employees park, so make sure you don't park in one of the designated spots for the employees.
If all the spots around the lake are taken, you can head back to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and look for parking there.
Check the signs to ensure you follow the parking regulations. Also, for safety reasons, don't leave anything in your car.
Fun Facts About Blue Heron Lake
This small area in Golden Gate Park has a rich history. Here are a few fun facts about its history.
- It was created in 1893 for locals to use as a leisurely boating spot.
- This manufactured lake was also used to irrigate the park when it was first built.
- Strawberry Hill got its name from the wild strawberries that used to grow here.
- One of San Francisco's sister cities, Taipei donated the pavilion in 1976.
- Originally named Stow Lake, the city renamed it to Blue Heron Lake in 2023.
Other Fun Things to See and Do in Golden Gate Park
- de Young Fine Arts Museum
- Japanese Tea Garden
- Conservatory of Flowers
- Botanical Garden
- More Things to Do in Golden Gate Park
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!