Park

Bison Paddock

Address

1237 John F Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121

Source: sfrecpark.org, checked 12 Nov 2026.

Bison standing in the Bison Paddock in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco — Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Meadow in the western end of Golden Gate Park, just west of Spreckels Lake, where a small herd of American bison has lived since 1899. Bison have been part of the park since 1892.

Time needed 20 minutes

Best time Morning

With kids

Insider tip

Seen from the fence along John F. Kennedy Drive. The Recreation and Parks page has the history.

View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

Nearby

Chain of Lakes Park · 8 min walk Three lakes (North, Middle and South) in the western part of Golden Gate Park, left from the 14 marshy lakes that once sat among the dunes. Beach Chalet Food · 15 min walk 1925 Spanish Revival building by Willis Polk at the western end of Golden Gate Park, facing Ocean Beach. Park Chalet Food · 15 min walk Restaurant and garden behind the Beach Chalet, a few steps from Ocean Beach. Outerlands Food · 16 min walk Restaurant on Judah Street in the Outer Sunset serving dinner, with weekly specials such as a Wednesday burger night. Golden Gate Park Park · 16 min walk San Francisco Recreation and Parks describes the park as 1,017 acres of lakes, meadows and activity areas. Andytown Coffee Roasters Cafe · 19 min walk The original Andytown cafe and bakery in the Outer Sunset, on Lawton Street.

Around Golden Gate Park

Museums, gardens, a bandshell, bison and the beach chalets

Golden Gate Park has 13 places on the map. It runs from the Music Concourse and the Conservatory of Flowers in the east to the Beach Chalet and Park Chalet at Ocean Beach in the west.

Golden Gate Park has 13 places on the Roam San Francisco map: 8 parks and gardens, 2 museums, 2 restaurants and 1 landmark. Read the Golden Gate Park guide.

Japanese Tea Garden Park · 2.3 km away
de Young Museum Museum · 2.4 km away
Golden Gate Bandshell Landmark · 2.5 km away
San Francisco Botanical Garden Park · 2.6 km away
California Academy of Sciences Museum · 2.7 km away
National AIDS Memorial Grove Park · 3.0 km away
Conservatory of Flowers Park · 3.2 km away
Koret Children's Quarter and Carousel Park · 3.5 km away

Good to know

What is the address of Bison Paddock?: 1237 John F Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121.
How long do you need at Bison Paddock?: Plan for 20 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Bison Paddock?: Morning.

Stay near Bison Paddock

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