San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide - Summer/Fall 2008 - (Page 50)

Green Acres: SEE & DO GOLDEN GATE PARK One of the largest urban parks in the world, Golden Gate Park stretches for three miles on the western edge of San Francisco. There’s not a single “Keep Off the Grass” sign, and its 1,017 acres are a tonic for mind and body. Two major museums, splendid gardens and facilities for more than 20 sports confirm that this is a playground in every sense of the word. Among the ever-evolving attractions located mainly in the eastern half of the park: The new California Academy of Sciences opening Sept. 27, 2008, will combine inventive architecture and eye-opening exhibits to inspire visitors to explore and protect the natural world. A museum for the 21st century, the academy includes an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and scientific research facilities under one roof — a living one at that. The 2.5-acre roof has been planted with more than 1.7 million native plants. It will boast the world’s largest all-digital planetarium and the world’s deep- est display of living corals. More than 38,000 live animals will fill the academy’s aquarium and natural history exhibits. Noted for its collections of American art from the 17th through 21st centuries, textile arts and costumes, contemporary art and art from the Americas, the Pacific and Africa, the new de Young Museum debuted in 2005. The entry court, expansive lobby, cafe, museum store, sculpture gardens and 144-foot-high observation deck offering panoramic Bay Area views are open to visitors free of charge. Completely restored in 2003, the Conservatory of Flowers was erected in 1879 and is the oldest surviving wood and glass greenhouse in the U.S. The 1,750 species of plants at the conservatory represent tropical flora from more than 50 countries, from Borneo to Bolivia. One of the most beautiful public gardens in the U.S., San Francisco Botanical Gardens covers 55 acres and features Balboa Bal 5 18 5 La Playa 47th 45th 43rd 41st 29 Richmond Cabrillo Cabrillo Playground Fulton Playground Cab 33rd 35th 39th 31st Dutch Windmill Tulip Garden Beach Chalet Park Chalet Ocean Beach Archery Field 5 d se clo Road Fulton Senior Center Petanque North Lake Bison Paddock Model Boat Club Spreckels Lake 29th 49 MILE SCENIC DRIVE Marx Meadow 25th Portals of the Past Great Highway Golden Gate Park Golf Course Lindley Meadow Police Stables Polo Fields Speedway Meadow John F Kennedy Dr L L Soccer Fields Pacific Ocean 18 Bernice Murphy Rogers Windmill Way (Under Construction) 49 Mile Drive Children’s Play Area Recreational Facility 43rd 47th 45th Sunset Blvd 33rd 29th 27th 39th 35th Off-Leash Dog Area N W S E 41st Irving 0 Scale in Miles 1/4 km 18 mile 1/4 Judah 49 MILE © San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau 2008 SCENIC DRIVE Sunset N N 31st 25th F hn Jo Dr dy nne Ke s d clo Roa John y Dr nned F Ke Dressage Ring Bercut Equitation Field Middle Lake Fly Casting Pools Anglers Lodge Dressage Ring Ma rtin Luth er K ing Jr Dr t es W Metson ive Lake Dr dle Mid Elk La Mallard Lake South Lake Me tso nR d Martin Luth r er King Jr D Lincoln Note: Middle Dr. West from Metson Rd. to Transverse Dr. is closed to through traffic; designated bicycle training area. 29 29 7

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San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide - Summer/Fall 2008

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