Take in three Golden Gate Park classics on a walk through the heart of the park. Start at Strybing Arboretum's main entrance at 9thAvenue and Lincoln Way. There's construction happening on some of the arboretum, but many of the aroma-filled garden paths remain open; meander through the Great Meadow, continue past geraniums and rosemary plants in the Garden of Fragrance, and keep going along the boardwalks in the recently renovated Ancient Plant Garden. Head into the nearby Japanese Tea Garden where speckles of fall color are still hanging onto the Japanese maples and cherry trees. Cross tiny bridges (pictured), pass peaceful sculptures, and take a break at the teahouse. Afterwards walk a few minutes to Stow Lake, the park's biggest and a quiet oasis for a row or paddle boat excursion around its shore. For a side trip, cross the bridge to Strawberry Hill in the middle of the lake and hike to the top for great views all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Good as golden.
Start at the arboretum's main entrance on 9thAve. and Lincoln Way. Exit the arboretum at the Friends Gate on the north side. Cross Martin Luther King Dr. and head over to the Japanese Tea Garden; it's $7 to enter, $5 for San Francisco residents. To reach Stow Lake, exit the garden, turn right, and turn right again on Martin Luther King Dr. Take a paved path that goes behind the Japanese Tea Garden––look for the sign to JFK Dr. and the Conservatory of Flowers. Bear left at the big tree and climb the stairs up to Stow Lake. Return the way you came. The arboretum and the Japanese Tea Garden don't allow dogs.