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 Tulip Garden exploding with 10,000 brilliant tulips at the base of the park’s authentic Dutch windmill.
As of March 12th, 2025, recent social media posts tagged at the garden have revealed the first white and purple tulip blossoms, plus more colorful flowers throughout the landscape. Now is the time to plan a trip to see the blossoms at their best, because tulips usually only last for a couple of weeks.
What is the history of Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden?
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is a quaint spot in the northwest corner of the park next to an authentic Dutch windmill. According to Golden Gate Park, 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.
Most years, the garden’s tulip bulbs are donated by the Dutch Bulb Growers’ Association.
When should I visit Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden?
Early spring is the best time to see the tulip blossoms, with peak bloom occurring in March. If you time it right, you’ll see thousands of colorful tulips and other flowers blooming simultaneously around the windmill.
What else should I do in Golden Gate Park?
You could 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.
And while you’re visiting the park, look for the cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden and magnolia blooms at SF Botanical Garden.
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.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn