**Golden Gate Park Spring Blooms Walking Tour**
*Late March to April is prime time for cherry blossoms, tulips, and magnolias!*

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### **Starting Point: Japanese Tea Garden**
- **Time:** 9:00 AM (opens at 9 AM; arrive early for tranquility).
- **Highlights:**
- Cherry blossoms (late March–early April) framing arched bridges and koi ponds.
- Historic pagodas, stone lanterns, and the Zen Garden.
- **Eat Here:** Sip matcha tea with mochi at the garden’s **Tea House**.

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### **Stop 1: San Francisco Botanical Garden**
- **Walk:** 5 mins (0.3 km) southeast from the Tea Garden.
- **Highlights:**
- **Magnolia Grove**: Over 100 magnolia varieties (peak late March).
- **Ancient Plant Garden**: Ferns and Jurassic-era cycads.
- **Southeast Asia Cloud Forest**: Orchids and vibrant rhododendrons.
- **Tip:** Free for SF residents; check bloom updates [here](https://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/).

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### **Stop 2: Shakespeare Garden**
- **Walk:** 10 mins (0.8 km) northwest toward the Academy of Sciences.
- **Highlights:**
- Flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays (roses, violets, lavender).
- Blooming apple and quince trees (April).
- **Photo Op:** Quaint stone bench with engraved sonnets.

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### **Stop 3: National AIDS Memorial Grove**
- **Walk:** 5 mins (0.4 km) west via Music Concourse.
- **Highlights:**
- Dogwood trees in bloom (April).
- Serene meadows with native wildflowers like California poppies.
- **Feature:** A living memorial with engraved names in stone.

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### **Stop 4: Rhododendron Dell**
- **Walk:** 15 mins (1 km) west past Stow Lake.
- **Highlights:**
- Over 3,000 **rhododendrons** (peak mid-April) in shades of pink, red, and white.
- Hidden paths under towering Monterey cypress trees.

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### **Stop 5: Conservatory of Flowers**
- **Walk:** 15 mins (1.2 km) east via John F. Kennedy Drive.
- **Highlights:**
- Tropical blooms in the **Potted Plants Gallery** (orchids, lilies).
- Vibrant **hydrangeas** and **begonias** in the West Wing.
- **Eat Here:** Grab a coffee or sandwich at the **Conservatory Café**.

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### **Stop 6: Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden**
- **Walk:** 20 mins (1.6 km) west to the park’s ocean edge.
- **Highlights:**
- Thousands of **Dutch tulips** (peak April) around the historic windmill.
- Ocean views and dune lilies (March–April).
- **Tip:** Pair with a stroll to Ocean Beach (5 mins west).

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### **Final Stop: Dahlia Garden** (Bonus if time permits)
- **Walk:** 15 mins (1.2 km) east toward McLaren Lodge.
- **Highlights:** Early **dahlia sprouts** (late April) in the park’s trial garden.

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### **Tour Details**
- **Total Walking Distance:** ~6.5 km (4 miles)
- **Duration:** 4–5 hours (with stops and photos).
- **Map Route:** [Google Maps link](https://goo.gl/maps/TUvD8LzVk7p6XhJKA) (customize with stops above).

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### **Tips for Your Visit**
- **Parking:** Use the Music Concourse Garage (easy central access).
- **Public Transit:** Take the N-Judah Muni to 9th Ave & Irving St.
- **Wear:** Layers—SF weather shifts from foggy mornings to sunny afternoons.
- **Extend Your Day:** Lunch on Irving Street (try **Arsicault Bakery** for almond croissants).

*Enjoy the springtime symphony of colors! *