Strawberry Hill

Strawberry Hill is a 404-foot summit in Golden Gate Park that forms an island surrounded by Stow Lake, with trails leading through vegetation to the peak. The hill features stone bridges connecting it to the shore and paths that guide visitors through different sections of the park.

The Sweeney Observatory was built in 1891 at the summit as a public viewpoint but was destroyed during the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake. After the quake, the hill was restored and remains an important landmark within Golden Gate Park.

The Golden Gate Pavilion, a Chinese peace pagoda near the base, represents a 1976 gift from Taipei to San Francisco. The structure displays traditional East Asian design and draws visitors interested in cultural exchanges and architectural styles from that region.

Visitors can reach the hill via two stone bridges connecting to Stow Lake Drive, with parking available nearby. The paths become moderately crowded at peak times, and comfortable shoes are helpful for the climb to the summit.

Huntington Falls, a 110-foot artificial waterfall, cascades down the hillside and was funded by railroad magnate Collis Potter Huntington. Many visitors overlook this feature even though it adds a flowing water element to the landscape that visitors encounter while walking the paths.