Golden Gate Park is home to dozens of stunning gardens, including the famous Japanese Tea Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers. As spring approaches, you can look forward to the Queen Wilhelmina in Golden Gate Park exploding with vibrant tulips.
Last year’s tulips were gifted by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the City of San Francisco to commemorate the visit between the queen and SF Mayor London Breed in September 2022. The thousands of pink and white flowers delighted visitors.
Typically, the tulip bulbs are donated by the Dutch Bulb Growers’ Association. The garden is an iconic SF spot in the spring, nestled underneath the famous Dutch windmills at the park’s edge.
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is a quaint spot in the northwest corner of the park next to an authentic Dutch windmill. According to the Golden Gate Park website, the garden is named after the late queen of the Netherlands who ruled for nearly 60 years, from 1890 to 1948. In Dutch culture, tulips are a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
Queen Wilhelmina herself donated the famous Dutch windmill to the City in 1902. It originally served as an irrigation system that reached the Strawberry Hill area, although it is no longer in use today. Hundreds of tulips and other colorful blossoms charmingly accompany this beautiful, authentic windmill.
Early spring is the best time to see the tulip blossoms, and the flowers are typically in full bloom during March. You can also enjoy a flatbread pizza at the nearby Park Chalet Garden Restaurant or bring a picnic for lunch with a view. See our list of more gorgeous picnic spots in the City here.
Find the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden at 1690 John F. Kennedy Drive in the northwest corner of Golden Gate Park. It’s open 24/7 and free to visit.
While you’re at it, look for the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden and magnolia blooms at SF Botanical Garden.