Koret Children's Quarter and Carousel

Address

MLK Drive and Bowling Green Drive San Francisco, CA 94121

Park Hours 5 a.m. to Midnight

Features

Accessible Children’s Play Area
Accessible Parking
Accessible Picnic Area
Accessible Restroom

Generations of San Franciscans (and young visitors from around the world!) have fond memories of the children’s playground and carousel in Golden Gate Park’s southeast corner. The playground, called the Sharon Quarters for Children when it opened in 1888, is thought to have been the nation’s first public playground. In that era, the idea of providing a dedicated space solely for youth recreation was groundbreaking. The nearby Sharon Building was designed for indoor play during bad weather; it now houses Sharon Art Studio , which offers art classes for both children and adults. With generous support from the Koret Foundation, the playground underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2007 as the Koret Children’s Quarter. New features include a climbing wall shaped like waves and a rope climbing structure; the historic concrete slide was retained.

HERSCHEL-SPILLMAN CAROUSEL

Three carousels have been housed in Golden Gate Park near the Koret Children’s Quarter since the playground opened. The current carousel was built in 1914 by the Herschell-Spillman Company and operated at amusement parks in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, before it was installed in Golden Gate Park in 1940 after a stint at the World’s Fair on Treasure Island. It was shut down in 1977 and restored, reopening in 1984. The carousel’s 62 colorfully painted menagerie animals include a dragon, camel, and goat as well as horses, frogs, dogs, roosters, and pigs. Painted panels inside the carousel depict Bay Area landscapes.

To reserve the picnic area adjacent to the carousel and playground, visit our Permits and Reservations page.

Hours of Operation

Carousel hours vary, depending on weather, school schedules and season. Please call (415) 231-0077 to hear an updated message regarding the current status and schedule of the Carousel.

Cost

Adults, $2; children ages 6 to 12 years, $1 per ride; children 5 and under free if accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 40? in height must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Location

320 Bowling Green Drive, between John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, adjacent to the Koret Children’s Quarter (playground) by the Sharon Building.

Parking

Parking is east of Bowling Green Drive, by the lawn bowling building. There is no parking by the carousel or Sharon Building.