Golden Gate Park Carousel

The LO loves merry go rounds and carousels, so we had to check this one out. It was kinda hard to find since it isn’t right next to the parking area, but if you find the children’s playground, you’ll hear and see the carousel. The only complaint I have is the worker was daydreaming and didn’t realize that the music wasn’t play, so it was kinda creepy to have the carousel spin around without the music. It was nice to check out and I am sure we’ll be back the next time we are in town.

Awesome carousel located right next door to Koret’s Children Quarter also known as Golden Gate Park Children’s playground. After huffing and puffing and running with their heart desire from concrete slides to money bars. … the best way to wind down is a ride on the majestic classic carousel. With so many different animals to choose from and only a few dollars per ride, we can go a couple rounds and enjoy the relaxing and fun ride before heading out. The carousel is nothing less than beautiful. And definitely a delight to have in Golden Gate Park (^_​^)

I am grateful for the Golden Gate Park Carousel. As we drove down Bowling Green Drive, passing the San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club facility, I felt a flurry of butterflies quivering in my stomach. I was age 8 again. A wealth of happy memories filled my mind and I was about to make a new memory. This visit to Golden Gate Park would be the day I accompany my children on their inaugural ride on the carousel.
I learned about the National Carousel Association’s website and since my first virtual visit, I have made a quest to seek out these historical works of art. The 1914 Herschell-​Spillman
is a classic wood carousel. It was updated in 2010. There are 28 Jumping Horses, 10 Standing Horses, 24 Menagerie Animals (1 Tiger, 1 Lion, 1 Giraffe, 1 Stork, 1 Deer, 1 Goat, 1 Camel, 1 Dragon, 2 Frogs, 2 Cats, 2 Zebras, 2 Dogs, 2 Roosters, 2 Mules, 2 Ostriches, 2 Pigs), 2 chariots, 2 Tubs.
My daughter was captivated by the white horse with the roses and gems. My son initially rode the standing dragon and then leapt at the chance to ride a prancing caramel colored horse.
Monday afternoon was an ideal time for a ride. There was no line. We played in the adjacent playground and slid down the concrete slides prior to our rides. We ate salted, warm pretzels. We enjoyed the Gebrueder-​Bruder #107−52 keyless band organ and casually enjoyed every whimsical moment.
Just remember: BRING CASH. Cash only ride.
Thank you to the City of San Francisco for preserving this treasure.

LOVED this park… A nice little getaway from the city even though it’s within the city… My 2 year old got to run around and play on both the small playground (meant for 1−3yr) and the big playground (4 and up)… There’s a huge slide, swings, ropes, sand, carousel… a 2 yr olds dream

We took my friends’ kids and went inside the carousel, while their parents waited for us outside. Probably relieved to have a few minutes to themselves. It feels a little silly when you (as an adult) want to ride the carousel by yourself, but having kids with you while you are having fun (and being a little silly) is normal and expected. :)

I love the fact that the Golden Gate park has a carousel right next to a park (Koret’s kid’s corner.) This carousel is awesome with hand carved animals of all kinds! Very bright, colorful, shiny and fun for children to take a ride on. Some of the animals move up and down, some are stationary and there are other little seats that will fit a few people.
The prices are so reasonable. It only cost $ 2 for adults (ages 12+) and children 6 – 12 are $ 1. And if you’re younger than 6 you can ride free with a paying adult. Bring your little ones here and watch their eyes light up with joy, it is totally worth it. Then head over to the Children’s park and have a blast!

A fun piece of history with friendly vendors! A calmer experience than the double decker version at The Wharf.

Kids are free… only adults have to pay. Price not too bad for a long ride. Better then a supermarket ride.

Always a fun treat for the children. You can pay for your child then stand next to them on the carousel.

All of the five star reviews don’t lie. This is the cutest, biggest, coolest carousel ever!
Children under six are free. 6 – 12 year olds are $ 1. 12 and over are $ 2. This is a bargain! The ride isn’t short either.
There are so many different animals to pick from. My son and I had trouble deciding because they are all so cool! We wanted to ride them all so we hopped from one animal to a couple different ones during the ride. My 2 ½ year old loved it.
This is a must do if you are near Golden Gate Park with your kid.

I love that I can say this is the first carousel my daughter has ever ridden on…
It’s such a classic Golden Gate Park landmark. It is very well kept and clean. Only costs a couple dollars to ride and the couple times I have been it has been empty.
The only downside of the location is that it is right next to «hippie hill». So once, a young man was smoking a joint way too close. I thought that was really inappropriate for the obvious reasons.

We were in town for the weekend and decided to check this park out. I am really glad we did, it’s such a nice park (huge), and my 13 month old loved it! They have everything a kid could wish for including a huge slide and a beautiful carousel. Tons of playground to climb on — both for big and small kids. There are also lots of swings, not just 2! My LO loved the large grass field and wanted to run around for days. I highly recommend and we will be back every time we make a visit to this town.

In my hometown, there was a carousel that was a national landmark. Every horse and other animal was hand carved, hand painted, beautiful and unique. Unfortunately, this treasure burned around a decade ago. The entire city mourned.
The carousel at Golden Gate Park was like the lost twin of my hometown carousel. So take everything I say with a grain of salt. I’m feeling just a tad nostalgic.
We were the only people not accompanied by children over age 10 on the carousel. But the guy at the ticketin booth didn’t seem surprised when we purchased two tickets. It was your typical carousel ride, complete with annoying or amazing music depending on how you look at it. It lasted maybe 5 minutes. But the pictures will last a lifetime. Don’t laugh. I told you I was feeling nostalgic.

This is the best and most beautifully maintained carousel I have ever had the pleasure to visit.
It feasts a whole menagerie of different animals to ride, so has something for everyone and with tickets being only $ 2 a ride, which is an absolute bargain.
This appealed to my inner child and I thoroughly enjoyed, and would recommend a visit to this rare and wonderful highlights of golden gate park.

Pretty embarrassing that I lived in SF for 6 yours and 20 total in the Bay Area and have never seen this thing. And I have kids! Very cool although the total glass wrap around makes taking photos/​movies of your kid difficult. Would be nice if there were some windows they could open while it’s running.

I don’t know what it is but I’m a sucker for classic carousels like this. Every time I find myself in Golden Gate Park I make sure to stop here. The ride’s affordable, just a couple of bucks, and while there’s nothing you wouldn’t expect (music, stuff moves up/​down, you go around in a circle) it’s neat to see all the details in the old wooden animals — not just horses here.
SF has another classic carousel over by Yerba Buena Gardens/​Moscone Center — but this one is right next to the awesome Koret Children’s Quarter playground in Golden Gate Park, so it wins.

San Francisco has not one, but two classic carousels. One is here. If you’re a parent living in The City, or you visit SF with kids, then this is a place you must find.
It’s a little hidden away. You can’t see it from the street, whether zipping toward Lincoln Avenue or looking down from MLK. Just find the Koret Children’s Quarter, and it’s right there.
We went to The City today, and before going, I suggested going on the merry-​go-​round. My girl actually bounced up and down while shouting with glee «the merry-​go-​round!» When she saw it, she almost ran down the steps to get there. $ 1/​ride for kids, great deal. The funny thing is, she told us that she got sick riding it. Ah, so she wasn’t being a drama queen when she was hanging her head over the front of the horse…
Thing is, it’s not that fast of a ride. The one in Santa Cruz is much faster, and also bigger. And it’s hard to get a good photo here because no spectators are allowed inside the building.
Still, it’s lot of fun, and more affordable than those hot dogs being sold nearby for $ 5. And with its location near the big playground, this is a winner.

This place used to be amazing. But after the previous ride operator left (KD) its fallen from five stars to 1or no stars. The new guy who was here this Saturday is NO FUN in every way shape or from. He preaches safety but I saw him start the ride before all the kids had gotten situated, and that just seems dangerous. He is in a hurry, and that seems funny because when I was there there was a sign on the door that said «next ride at 1:35». He showed up, operated the ride once or twice and left. When he took off there was a sign on the door stating the time of the next ride.
I wanted to stand inside and take some photos, he said I could stand in the doorway if I wanted. «I just don’t want to get closed down». What a complete jerk. I’m sorry and I don’t want to come off as rude, if you dont like children, you don’t like dealing with people and you want to be a jerk to everyone you should find another job. Go be a jerk somewhere else.

YOU’RE NEVER TO OLD TO HAVE A HAPPY CHILDHOOD!
I have had the most joy riding this Golden Gate Park Carousel through the eyes of all 3 of my Children. However, I’m fine with solo rides too!
The history of the carousel is one that illustrates an interesting part of 12^th century Arabian and Turkish tradition. Derived from the Spanish word, carosella (meaning «little war») real horses and lances were used to engage in a game of horsemanship and technique that was taken quite seriously. The game traveled across the continents, setting in Europe during the 1680s, where the act became a bit of a spectacle.
Eventually, wooden horse contraptions were created for members of young royalty to get ready for upcoming tournaments. It was from this design that the modern carousels flourished, bringing in the «Golden Age» of the carousel from 1880 to the early part of the 1930s. At one time, more than 7,000 carousels thrived, but now only 300 of these beauties exist, with this very special example residing in Golden Gate Park. This 1912 Herschel-​Spillman carousel stands as the true gem within the larger playground.

How to find it:
On Lincoln (heading towards 19^th Ave.) and before you get to 4^th Avenue, make a hard right onto MLK drive, go .02 mile, then another hard right and then another right turn to get into the parking lot.
Charming, made in upstate New York at the turn of the century and lovingly restored, going to the carousel in Golden Gate Park is one of our favorite things to do.
In winter, the Carousel is open only on Saturday and Sunday (excepting major holidays). In summer, It’s open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Children 5 and under ride free (but must be accompanied by an adult) and otherwise children 5 and over pay $ 1/​ride. Adults are $ 2 and yeah, you can be a kid and ride the carousel, too.
If your little ones get hungry, there’s a little kiosk that sells hot dogs, chips, soda, ice cream and cookies/​brownies right there in the little courtyard.
Both the carousel and the refreshment stand are cash only (try to bring small bills).
Afterward, head over to the sunny and huge Koret Children’s Playground adjacent to the Carousel. If you’re lucky, your kid might be so worn out he’ll take a nap.
(it doesn’t cost a thing to wish!)