Bay Curious Secrets of Golden Gate Park
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Mar 16, 2026 Nicole Meldahl, a local historian and director of the Western Neighborhoods Project, and Marta Lindsay, author and longtime park guide, take you into Golden Gate Park’s hidden past and secret corners. They tell the story of sand dune reclamation, transplanted monastery stones, pandemic-made trails, clever dune fences and John McLaren’s forty-year vision. Short, curious, and full of surprising places to explore.
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Park Helped Host Heal And Train
- Olivia Allen-Price recovered from eye surgery by running through Golden Gate Park and gradually built up to a half-marathon that finished in the park.
- Her personal healing and discovery of hidden park paths motivated the episode and framed the park as a restorative space.
Medieval Monastery Stones Are Hidden Around The Park
- Golden Gate Park contains medieval monastery stones William Randolph Hearst imported from Spain but never used, now scattered in the park and Botanical Garden walls.
- Hearst's marked stones lost labeling in fires and were repurposed for gardens, letting visitors touch centuries-old carved limestone.
Try The Golf Clubhouse Patio For Ocean Views
- Try the Golf Clubhouse patio near Ocean Beach for ocean views and a less crowded alternative to the Beach Chalet.
- Marta Lindsay notes the renovated patio shows the ocean through trees and sells the unique Bill's Burger Dog.
