Golden Gate Park is home to dozens of stunning gardens, including the famous Japanese Tea Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers. Now that spring is upon us, the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden in Golden Gate Park has exploded into a glorious carpet of pink and white “London N. Breed” tulips.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands gifted over 5,000 pink-and-white tulip bulbs to the City of San Francisco last year to commemorate the visit between the queen and SF Mayor London Breed in September 2022. As of late February they are in full bloom.
“As it is customary in the Netherlands to express gratitude with flowers, 5,000 bulbs of the London N. Breed tulip have been planted as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the Netherlands and San Francisco,” said Dirk Janssen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in San Francisco. “The tulip’s vibrant hues were inspired by the colors worn by her Majesty and the Mayor on the memorable day of their meeting.”
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 to the Strawberry Hill area, although it is no longer in use today. This beautiful, authentic windmill is charmingly accompanied by hundreds of tulips and other colorful blossoms.
Early spring is the best time to see the tulip blossoms, and now’s the perfect time to stop by as we can expect plenty more through 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.