San Francisco's Hidden Treasures
The summer I lived in New York was when I first grew to love Central Park. I looked for every opportunity to escape the city bustle and wander through this urban oasis. Our own version in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, is often overlooked as a highlight because the area offers so many great options for outdoor adventures. From surfing along the coast to hiking in Marin to cycling in the Berkeley hills -- there is never a dull moment.
This weekend we had a true fall day in San Francisco and I decided to take a walk through the city, that led me through the Haight and into Golden Gate Park. My destination was the Japanese Tea Gardens, one of my favorite spots in the city. Along the way I was sidetracked by a festival in Dolores Park, a coffee shop in the Castro and the funky shops on Haight Street. Once in the park I was again distracted by the 'Pet Pride Day' contest (only in San Francisco) and a free swing dancing lesson (see video below).
The Japanese Tea Garden is tucked away beside the recently re-opened DeYoung Museum. Built in 1894 as an exhibit for the World Fair, it is the oldest public Japanese tea garden in California. The garden was developed by Baron Makoto Hagiwara, who was a wealthy landscape designer. After the World Fair, the exhibit was turned into a permanent fixture and enlarged amidst the developing Golden Gate Park. The garden was maintained by the Hagiwara family until World War II when America sent over 100,000 Japanese-Americans to prison camps. The garden deteriorated without its keepers and did not recover until 1952.
There is not much to do in the garden itself, which adds to its appeal, aside from wander through it paths and admire the zen-like peacefulness. There is also a teahouse where you can enjoy a traditional cup of tea and fortune cookies served by waitresses in kimonos.
The gardens are open daily from 9:00am - 4:45pm (6:00pm in the summer). Admission is $4, but free on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am - 10:00am.
For more photos from my tour click on the photo below.
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Posted by: TERRIEDunlap | July 01, 2010 at 09:26 PM