Golden Gate Park Lawn Bowling Club

What you need to know

What’s There

The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club operates three greens on Bowling Green Drive in Golden Gate Park, next to Sharon Meadow. It was organized on October 7, 1901, by members of the city’s St. Andrew’s Society, with park superintendent John McLaren laying out the first green. It’s the oldest municipal lawn bowling club in the United States. The Edwardian clubhouse was built in 1915.

The club offers free lessons to anyone who shows up, no reservation needed. Members hand you a set of bowls, explain the basics, and let you roll on the green. The game: roll your bowl as close to the small white target ball (the “jack”) as possible.

The club also hosts tournaments and social events throughout the year.

Visiting

Address: Bowling Green Drive, Golden Gate Park (next to Sharon Meadow)

Cost: Free lessons. Club membership available.

Hours: Lessons typically on Wednesday afternoons and weekends. Check the club website for the current schedule.

Best time to go: Weekend mornings, when lessons are available.

What to know: Wear flat-soled shoes. No heels or cleats on the green. The club provides all equipment.

Getting There

Transit: Muni N-Judah to 9th Ave and Irving, then walk north into the park (10 minutes). Bus 33-Ashbury/18th stops nearby on Stanyan.

Parking: Kezar Drive and surrounding park roads offer free parking. The Stanyan Street lots fill on weekends.

Walking: Near the eastern end of the park, close to the Conservatory of Flowers, the Children’s Playground, and Sharon Meadow.