Strawberry Hill (San Francisco) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park
Highest point
Elevation	404 ft (123 m) NAVD 88
Geography
Strawberry Hill Location in San Francisco County
Location	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Topo map	USGS San Francisco North

Strawberry Hill is a fun hill located right in the middle of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. It's actually an entire island within the park's man-made Stow Lake. You can reach the hill by crossing one of two bridges from the main part of the park.

The island is covered with many different kinds of trees and bushes. There are also several trails and dirt steps that go around and up to the very top of the hill. It's a great place to explore!

Cool Features of Strawberry Hill

Strawberry Hill is home to some interesting sights that make it a special place to visit.

Huntington Falls: A Man-Made Waterfall

One of the coolest features on Strawberry Hill is Huntington Falls. This amazing waterfall is 110 feet tall! It was the very first artificial (man-made) waterfall ever built in Golden Gate Park. The water from the falls flows right into Stow Lake.

The waterfall was named after a wealthy businessman named Collis Potter Huntington. He was a "railroad baron," which means he made a lot of money building railroads. Mr. Huntington donated $25,000 to help create this beautiful waterfall.

Golden Gate Pavilion: A Gift from Afar

Near the edge of Stow Lake, you'll find the beautiful Golden Gate Pavilion. This is a Chinese peace pagoda, which is a type of temple or monument. It was given to San Francisco in 1976 by its "sister city," Taipei. A sister city is a city in another country that has a special friendship with a city here.

Sweeney Observatory: Views from the Top

The very top of Strawberry Hill is a peaceful open space. From here, you can enjoy amazing views of San Francisco! Even though some trees might block a tiny bit of the view, it's still a fantastic spot to look out over the city.

In the middle of this open area, you can see the old foundations of the Sweeney Observatory. This building was built in 1891 so people could enjoy the views. Sadly, it was destroyed by the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake and was never rebuilt.

Activities on the Hill

The paths on Strawberry Hill are closed to cars, making it a perfect spot for walking and running. Many people, especially on weekends, come here to jog or walk their dogs.

You might also see local high school track and cross country teams practicing here. They often run up and around the hill to build their endurance and strength. It's a challenging but rewarding workout!

Images for kids

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  Golden Gate Pavilion

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  Downtown San Francisco from the hill

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  Sweeny Observatory Ruins after the 1906 earthquake