Beach Chalet
The Beach Chalet is situated on the westernmost side of the Golden Gate Park where the park ends and the Pacific Ocean begins. It's the perfect finish line after a long bike ride from the panhandle, or easternmost section of the park, to the ocean. The upstairs section of the Beach Chalet offers expansive views of the Pacific and a welcoming San Francisco dining experience. Savor the beer-battered fish and chips or the sunchoke and portobello mushroom strudel as you watch runners dodging groups of strolling tourists and surfers cutting through waves. Lunch or early evening is the best time to dine at the Beach Chalet, as once the sun sets, so does the view. The Beach Chalet has ample free parking and accepts reservations. The Park Chalet, located behind the Beach Chalet, offers a smaller menu and outside dining, which is very popular on weekends. Families and pets spread out on lawn furniture and blankets as they take advantage of the full bar and small plates like truffled chicken and four-cheese macaroni. Downstairs, in the main lobby of the building, you'll find the Visitor's Center and a scale model of Golden Gate Park as well as intricate wood carvings depicting some of San Francisco's most historical neighborhoods like the Embarcadero, Land's End and Chinatown.
Beach Chalet
1000 Great Hwy.
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-8439
beachchalet.com
The Moss Room
The Moss Room is located inside Golden Gate Park under Academy Cafe in the California Academy of Sciences building. The Moss Room was named after one of its most unique features, its living wall, made of fern, moss and stone. The bottom of the wall boasts a pond, which a school of Asian river fish calls home. Its California-Mediterranean menu features dishes like roasted pumpkin and ricotta ravioli for lunch and the Massachusetts day boat scallops for dinner. The Moss Room accepts reservations for lunch and dinner and are highly recommended. You may want to consider spending the day taking in the exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences and finishing up your day with a relaxing dinner at the Moss Room. Be aware if you plan on dining at The Moss Room for lunch, admission to the California Academy of Sciences is required. Since it's a more intimate environment, it's not recommended you bring children to The Moss Room.
The Moss Room
at the California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 876-6121
themossroom.com
Citrus Club
Citrus Club is a block away from where the main part of Golden Gate Park starts on Stanyan Street, and two blocks south of the very beginning of the park, the panhandle. The restaurant aims to introduce diners to traditional recipes from Vietnam, China, Thailand, Japan and Indonesia, and takes its name from the fact it uses citrus juices instead of oils in its dishes. The Citrus Club serves entreés like orange-mint noodles and spicy curry tiger shrimp noodles for lunch and dinner daily. The Citrus Club is a very small space, so it fills up quickly and cannot accommodate large groups. It also does not take reservations, so be prepared to enjoy a drink while you wait for an available table.
Citrus Club
1790 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 387-6366
citrusclubsf.com
