Dutch Windmill

The Dutch Windmill is a masonry structure with rotating sails located at the western edge of Golden Gate Park near Ocean Beach. The building features thick stone walls and a peaked roof typical of traditional European mill design.

The structure was built in the early 1900s to pump water for park irrigation. It represents a period when wind power played an important role in developing and maintaining this large urban park.

The name honors Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and the surrounding tulip gardens showcase Dutch gardening tradition. Visitors see spring blooms that connect San Francisco to Dutch heritage in a tangible way.

The site sits on the western side of the park where Kennedy Drive meets the Great Highway. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the area is exposed with little shade, especially in sunny conditions.

A caretaker originally lived in an adjoining house and used the grounds to grow vegetables for park residents. This detail shows how people once lived closely with park resources.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1902

GPS coordinates: 37.77073,-122.50940

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44