Koret Playground, Carousel, Kiosk, Golden Gate Pk
Koret Children's Playground and carousel (daily 10-5) is a magical spot in southeast Golden Gate Park! Here, a 1912 antique carousel in a round building beckons you to ride! Next to it is an adorable kiosk called California Kahve (daily 9-5) that sells fancy pastries and drinks like matcha and tea lattes. Kids can get a hot chocolate, strawberry milk, or vanilla steamer. You can sit at the tables in the sun by the carousel sipping your drink and admiring the historic 1888 sandstone Sharon Building behind the kiosk, now a public art studio. Walk toward the playground and you pass a cute barnyard that you can rent for parties. The playground stretches out over a large area of sand, and has a structure with double slides, a spinner, cement slides going way down the hillside, toddler houses, a space net, sea monster sculpture to climb, and beautiful wave sculptures to climb on. This was the first public playground in the USA!
After, walk north to the Conservatory of Flowers- our whole family loved it! Or walk south to eat a meal in the Inner Sunset District, a twelve minute walk away.
The sandstone for the Sharon Building came from the dismantled Santa Maria de Ovila Monastery in Spain. Hearst had it shipped to San Francisco but ran out of money (during the Depression) to complete his project, which was a second castle called Wyntoon Estate, seen today via a wild kayak ride on the McCloud River. Wyntoon Estate would have been bigger than Hearst Castle. After being unable to finish it, Hearst donated the stones to the city of SF.
The lion's beautiful mane, on the antique carousel at Koret Children's Playground.
Horse neighing, at Koret Children's Playground carousel.
The funny rooster on the carousel at Koret Children's Playground.
Daisies and a buttercup in the grass.
Hippie Hill, above Koret Children's Playground.
The carousel is so lovely at Koret Children's Playground.
Pandanus trees looking tropical, and red barnyard in the background.
Sharon Building, built 1888, is a golden sandstone building near the carousel!
California Kahve has nice drinks! By the carousel in a beautiful kiosk building.
Vase with flowers, and menu board at California Kahve.
Choices of drinks at California Kahve, with Sharon Building in the background.
Colorful tiled steps leading to a hill behind the kiosk.
Parents standing in line for carousel tickets and drinks at the kiosk, with sandstone Sharon Building behind.
Camel on the carousel.
Flower planters at the kiosk.
Colorful tiled stairs leading to a hill behind the kiosk.
A girl scooters by the carousel building.
Cheerful tiles at the playground.
The red barnyard, for a party.
Slide that goes down the hill!
Space net.
Waves, turtle, and sand to play in.
The beach area of the playground.
Waves at the beach area of the playground.
Sea monster at the beach area of Koret Children's Playground.
Swings at Koret Children's Playground.
Spinner and play structure with canopy at Koret Children's Playground.
Shell, sea monster, waves, and palm trees in the beach section at Koret Children's Playground.
Koret Children's Playground in 1910.
Koret Playground is located in southeast Golden Gate Park, south of Hippie Hill and the Conservatory of Flowers. Find parking along the street, around 631 Kezar Drive. It takes a little patience to find a spot, and possibly a long walk after.
The carousel is open daily 10-5. Buy tickets at the food kiosk. $2.50 for adults, $1 for children.
Last Updated: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:11:34 GMT
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