Golden Gate Park: the west end & Ocean Beach
Strawberry Hill, the bison, the Dutch windmills, and out to the great cold sweep of Ocean Beach. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill
Come into the park and climb the island in the middle of the lake — there's a path up to the summit past Huntington Falls, a man-made cascade that actually works. Top of the hill is the highest point in the park; the view's grown over but the climb is the thing.

2. The Bison Paddock
A fenced meadow of actual American bison, kept here since 1891 — a small herd, usually dozing at the far fence. Strange and wonderful in the middle of a city park. Bring patience; they don't perform.

3. Spreckels Lake
The model-yacht pond, where the SF Model Yacht Club has sailed since the 1890s. Saturday mornings the little boats are out. A quiet bench-and-water pause before the run to the coast.

4. The Dutch Windmills
Two windmills at the park's far western corner, built to pump groundwater and green the dunes. The North Windmill stands in the Queen Wilhelmina tulip garden, best in early spring. The South Windmill is the photogenic one.

5. The Great Highway and the dunes
Cross over to the seawall and the wide promenade above the sand. The road here closes to cars on weekends — walk the middle of it if it's Sunday. The wind off the Pacific is the whole experience.

6. Ocean Beach
Three miles of grey sand and serious surf. You don't swim here — the rip currents are lethal — you walk it, into the wind, until your ears go cold. End at a fire pit or the steps near Fulton and catch the 5 back.

Golden Gate Park: the west end & Ocean Beach