July 4, 2004

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco covers 1,013 acres, and is about 3 miles long and 1/2-mile wide. It's bigger than New York’s Central Park, and has over one million trees, nine lakes, several fly casting pools and a lily pond within its borders.

Located near the middle of the park is an oasis within an oasis -- a beautiful Japanese Tea Garden which is amazingly well designed so that it feels much bigger than it is. The paths meander past ponds and through trees, and the ring of trees that surround the garden screen the city noises admirably well. When you're in the Tea Garden, it's easy to forget you're anywhere near a city.

Click on any picture below to see a larger version.