• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Little Fish

  • Home
  • About
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Disclosures
  • Crafts and Activities
    • Easy Arts and Crafts
    • Creative Play
    • Sea Themed Activities
    • Books and Activities

5 Things to See on a Walk around Stow Lake

August 16, 2016 by Rosie Leave a Comment

Are you planning a visit to San Francisco? Stow Lake in San Francisco is one of our favourite places to take a walk together.

Stow-Lake

Situated in the middle of Golden Gate Park, it’s a beautiful lake surrounding an island called Strawberry Hill. There are trails around the shores of the lake and winding all the way up to the top of the hill.

Last weekend we took a walk around the lake and I was thinking about all the things we love about Stow Lake.

It’s great in all weathers. We especially like it when the fog rolls in over the lake and all the visitors disappear. Yet on a hot sunny day it’s nice and shady under the trees.

You can start walking anywhere along the lake and you can walk for as little or as long as you like. There are various different entrance points on paths and stairways up to the lake.

Stow Lake is a perfect walk with little ones. There’s so much to see along the way. You can just hang out with the ducks, or take a longer walk around the lake and to the top of the island.

Here are our top 5 things to see and do on a walk around Stow Lake – however long you want to stay.

The Chinese Pavilion

Stow-Lake-3

This is Little M’s top place to see at Stow Lake. The pavilion sits on the island side of the lake, next to Huntington Falls. It was gifted to the park by San Francisco’s ‘sister city’ of Taipei. It is a fab place to sit, have a snack and look out over the lake. Little M likes walking over the little bridge into the pavilion. This is the sort of magical little hide out I would also have loved as a child.

Huntington Falls and Stepping Stones

Stow-Lake-1

Little M’s second favourite spot is the huge waterfall and stepping stones next to the Chinese pavilion. Huntington Falls is a huge artificial waterfall that cascades from another reservoir higher up on Strawberry Hill. This is a great place to stop and take a souvenir photo. It can be very popular, especially on a busy day, such as a sunny Sunday. Little M loves hopping on the stepping stones at the bottom of the waterfall. Note, these can be a little bit of a pain with a stroller – so bear that in mind!

Strawberry Hill

You can climb the steps next to Huntington Falls for a fantastic view from the top of Strawberry Hill. The steps are steep, but manageable for most moderately fit people. There are also a number of other trails that wind to the top of the hill – take your pick!

The Boat House

Stow-Lake-2

The Boat House is a good place to stop for a snack or a light lunch – there’s also restrooms here. If you are feeling adventurous you can hire a rowing boat or a pedal boat and see the lake from the water itself! We did this for Little M’s second birthday and it was so much fun!

Wildlife

Stow-Lake-5

There’s so much wildlife to see at Stow Lake, you are bound to spot something interesting. It’s popular with bird enthusiasts – you will often see Great Blue Herons on the lake, especially in the spring time when they are nesting. San Francisco Nature Education has a Heron Watch every spring – where you can learn more about the herons.

Stow Lake is in Golden Gate Park and really easy to get to. This is a useful guide on getting to the park.

I hope this list has inspired you to come and take a walk around Stow Lake!

Are you visiting San Francisco with children? You might also enjoy my post on 5 Best Things to do in Golden Gate Park (With Kids).

Related Posts

  • 52/52 Little M52/52 Little M
  • Living Arrows 21/52Living Arrows 21/52
  • Easy Halloween Spider MuffinsEasy Halloween Spider Muffins
  • 50 Rainy Day Activities Free Printable50 Rainy Day Activities Free Printable
  • Newborn Bare NecessitiesNewborn Bare Necessities
  • Why Thanksgiving is My Favourite American HolidayWhy Thanksgiving is My Favourite American Holiday
Sharing is caring...Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
0Share on Facebook
Facebook
0Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter

Filed Under: San Francisco, Travel Tagged With: Stow Lake

Previous Post: « Living Arrows 32/52
Next Post: Living Arrows 33/52 »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Hi, I’m Rosie!

Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler!

I’m here to help you, with sweet and simple ideas to inspire your children.

Art, crafts, creative play and a splash of nature. Let’s get creative, the simple way!

Take a look around…

Popular Posts

  • Make a Dinosaur Habitat Box (with Things You Have at Home)Make a Dinosaur Habitat Box (with Things You Have at Home)
  • Simple Cardboard Box Activities and Crafts for KidsSimple Cardboard Box Activities and Crafts for Kids
  • 5 Playdough Ideas for Beginners5 Playdough Ideas for Beginners
  • Earth Day BooksEarth Day Books
  • Make a Snail and the Whale Ocean TrayMake a Snail and the Whale Ocean Tray

Give us a Like!

Tweet with me!

Rosie | Little Fish 🐠Follow

Avatar
Avatar
13 Feb

Cute and easy heart stencil cards for kids. ❤️

https://littlefishblog.com/heart-stencil-cards-for-kids/

Reply on Twitter 1360603675425669123Retweet on Twitter 1360603675425669123Like on Twitter 13606036754256691231Twitter 1360603675425669123
Avatar
4 Feb

Feeling a little guilty as my 4 year old has been watching Dinosaur Train for half the day today. Then I asked her what a hypothesis is and she said “an idea you can test” so now I feel better 😆
@DINOSAURTRAIN

Reply on Twitter 1357370590475206656Retweet on Twitter 1357370590475206656Like on Twitter 13573705904752066561Twitter 1357370590475206656
Avatar
2 Feb

Rest in peace Captain Tom ❤️❤️❤️

Captain Sir Tom Moore@captaintommoore

Reply on Twitter 1356639130214662146Retweet on Twitter 1356639130214662146Like on Twitter 1356639130214662146Twitter 1356639130214662146
Avatar
12 Jan

Question for #supplyteachers Have you been furloughed? I was last time, but have heard nothing from my agency this time so far. Wondering what your experience is?

Reply on Twitter 1349125769142939654Retweet on Twitter 1349125769142939654Like on Twitter 13491257691429396541Twitter 1349125769142939654
Avatar
6 Jan

Wow, what a week and it’s only Wednesday...

Reply on Twitter 1346963236260884482Retweet on Twitter 1346963236260884482Like on Twitter 1346963236260884482Twitter 1346963236260884482
Load More...

We’re on Pinterest too!

Member of:

TOTS100 - UK Parent Blogs
TOTS100

Footer

Follow us on Instagram

littlefishblog

Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating this Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating this weekend. 🥰🌸
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We love using washi tape in crafts, especially homemade cards. It’s so fun and easy to use and looks really effective. Why not give it a try? 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can make these washi tape cards for any occasion. Your kids will enjoy coming up with their own designs. Search ‘washi tape cards’ on the blog for full tutorial.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Have you used washi tape in kids art and crafts? 👩‍🎨
Back to school yesterday for these two ❤️❤️

I’m missing them already! 🥰 But have to say it’s nice to have 5 minutes peace for a cup of tea! 😆☕️
Now the big tidy up begins!

Are your children back at school? Or still home?
Do you feel like showering a little love this Febr Do you feel like showering a little love this February? 🥰
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I think we need all the love and good vibes right now and I do love a creative project that doubles as a gift! 💝 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We loved making these dancing heart stencil cards - simple to make and sweet Valentines for your children to hand out. 😍
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When I get 5 minutes I'll make a blog post 🙄😆but they are easy enough to make:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
-Draw a heart shape on a piece of card and cut out a stencil. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
-Place stencil on folded white card, sponge red and white paint, let dry.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
-Decorate with a pen and goggly eyes.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
-Spread a little love!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
These would be a cute and easy activity over the half term/winter break. ❄️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do your children like to make Valentine cards? 💕
Do you feel like you're balancing all the things r Do you feel like you're balancing all the things right now?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But you are strong, you are capable and you have got this. We have got this.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Think of a memory that makes you feel calm and happy. Hold on to it until the time you can make it happen again. And in the meantime try to to seize the little moments of every day joy. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I think of the beach when I need a pick me up. How about you?
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
Wow, it’s been a while! I took a bit of a soci Wow, it’s been a while! 

I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve not been on social media much lately - I’ve been making the most of the end of summer, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and figuring out what is next for me now that my littlest has started school. 😊
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Are your children back at school, or are you still in the thick of homeschool? 
Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
With dinosaur trails, a splash zone, Jurassic putt and much more we all had an amazing family day. I was really impressed with the social distancing and safety measures in place too. Full review to follow soon!
Have you been on any fun family days out recently?
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Disclaimer

This site is for information purposes. Please use your own judgement as to the suitability of each activity for your child.

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Please see my full Disclosure and Privacy Policy for more information.

Copyright © 2021 Little Fish on the Foodie Pro Theme