Golden Gate Park Bison

The Bison Paddock is one of the many highlights of Golden Gate Park that can be enjoyed.

We stopped by this past weekend to check out the bison, only to be seen from a distance behind layers of fencing and wires. They weren't doing anything too interesting, just relaxing on a warm Sunday afternoon, sitting, stretching, and/or grazing in the paddock, as visitors observed and read the sign describing the amazing story behind the conservation of these valued creatures. Street parking was available right up front, and honestly it doesn't take more than 15 minutes to pay a visit, while exploring other beautiful sites and events at Golden Gate Park.

The bison are an extension of the SF Zoo ... ifs always lovely watching these beasts roam around.

Really a beautiful place to come and visit we'll have to start coming to San Francisco to check out all their neat dog parks and parks in general funny to San Francisco looks better than Oakland and Oakland it even smells better in San Francisco amazing yeah we'll come back

Bison in San Francisco? Yep it's true and you can find them at the Golden Gate Park. You can find the herd next to Spreckels Lake, along John F. Kennedy Drive. In 1891, one bison cow and one bison bull were transported here to make Golden Gate Park their home.

Staff from the San Francisco Zoo care for the Bison here. They provide care, feeding and veterinary services, while the San Francisco Recreation and Park department maintain the grounds. If you wish to view the live webcam of the buffalo, you can view it here (https://www.goldengatepark150.com/bison). There may or may not be any activity though when you click on it. For the 150th anniversary of buffalo first making their home here, 5 young bison were introduced to the existing herd here.

Free to visit and park. I came by here on a Saturday afternoon with my husband and our little girl dog. A friend of mine had suggested it since we had just came from a long road trip from Los Angeles to Yellowstone and Grand Teton (and had visited several other national parks along the way). Although we did see plenty of bison in both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton (and much closer than we did at this park), my friend brought up the idea in case we did not know there were bison here in San Francisco.

So around 2:30 pm, we were able to find plenty of parking along side the fenced in area of these massive creatures. There weren't too many people around so it was nice to watch them quietly. We saw just a few as they were just grazing. But they do have a large area to roam so I can only imagine the rest of the herd was much further away.

Golden Gate Park in such a magical wonder and am always finding so much delight every time I visit.

"My place is with you. I go where you go."
- Kicking Bird (Lakota), Dances with Wolves

What?! You haven't seen or heard about the Buffalos of Golden Gate Park? Talk about being late to the party! The hors d'oeuvres are long since gone, the DJ looks ready for retirement and the New Year's revelers are doing the Electric Slide for the fifth time. Still, tardiness may not diminish the appeal of this American legend!

Now the Buffalo vs. Bison debate: What Native Americans saw 500 years ago is the great American Bison and not really Buffalo in name. The use of "Buffalo" actually first came from European settlers who mistakenly thought they were old world Buffalo (found in Africa or Asia). So the old song... "where the Buffalo roam..." should really be... "where the Bison roam.."

The history of the American Bison at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco goes back to 1890, story goes that a distinct Bison cow and one Bison bull were transported from the rolling Great Plains to the urban paradise of the Golden Gate Park in California. Hailing from parts of Wyoming and Kansas, the cow was named "Sarah Bernhardt", while the bull was called "Ben Harrison". Named after popular celebrities of the time.

As years became decades... more and more Bison called Golden Gate Park home. By the 1990's an estimated 100 calves were born here on the Paddock. 100 years and 100 calves later... This San Francisco herd helped North America surpass the 200,000 mark for the great American Bison, this after being on the brink of extinction for many years due to European settlers over hunting these majestic animals of God.

Today, the American Bison population has more than doubled in size, to well over 500,000, and some have actually been reintroduced into the wild. Still, with all the good news it'll never reach the 60 million that once roamed the Americas prior to European settlers and the introduction of domesticated cattle. Sad, but true.

In the end, a visit to the Paddock "where the Bison roam..." is a magical experience for those into American history and animal conservation. Kids would love a visit too! Trust! To imagine these great American treasures were nearly extinct brings a tear to my eye... and it all started with "Sarah Bernhardt" and "Ben Harrison"...

May God Bless America and the Bison that roam...

Beautiful Bison patch. It was awesome to see them up close. Good place for kids and adults

Yes, there are Bison in SF, in particular Golden Gate Park!!

I counted about 10 Bison, and they were somewhat active. They have a large area to roam in, and are a great attraction.

I make it a point every time I come to Golden Gate Park to come here, chill out and watch them do the roam thing.

A great option when in the Park!!

Peaceful creatures, and such a fun surprise everyone I visit the park. If you can, join one of the park conservancy/info tours to learn about their history.

Absolutely one of the best sites in the city. Have been bringing friends here for 3 decades. Always wows everyone.