Golden Gate Park Children’s Playground & Carousel

There are so many great things to do in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park – take a  stroll, explore the Cal Academy of Sciences, visit the Conservatory of Flowers, or sip tea at the Japanese Tea Garden. But have you ever been to the children's park inside Golden Gate Park? It's fantastic!

The children's park is situated near Golden Gate Park's Southeast corner and surrounded by lush green grass, so pack a blanket. Both my three and (nearly walking) 10-month old went crazy exploring. Notable things included – a gigantic rope climbing structure, a climbing wall shaped like a wave, concrete slides, AND a carousel. Also, there's a Annie's Hot-Dog and Pretzels stand if you get hungry. I can't speak for it, but if I let him, I'm sure my toddler would have eaten that up. Hit up the park on a day you're already exploring in Golden Gate, or venture across the bridge just to go. Just note – it's rather large and there's no fencing to keep wandering children inside – which means I may have lost my three-year-old more than once. Oops.

Some tips if you go:

• Carousel Rides: $2/adults, $1/6-12 years, under 5 free with paying adult
• Make sure to check the carousel schedule before going to ensure no melt-downs ensue.
• Parking: Drive around and test your luck – it's San Francisco, duh! But really, we didn't have trouble finding a free spot on the street and walking a bit.

[All photos by Anna Azimi, all rights reserved]