Tree Fern Dell (Mescaline Grove)
The Verdict
"A dense Golden Gate Park grove of tree ferns, some over 15 feet tall, with maidenhair, Boston, and bracken ferns filling the undergrowth. Earned the "Mescaline Grove" nickname in the 1960s, and the name stuck. No signage, no benches; a two-minute walk near the Conservatory of Flowers off JFK Drive. Free."
What you need to know
What’s There
The ferns are ancient species. Some grow over 15 feet tall, with fronds unfurling from thick, hairy trunks. The dell is damp, shaded, and quiet, a contrast to the open meadows and busy paths just a few hundred feet away. Maidenhair ferns, Boston ferns, and bracken varieties fill the undergrowth between the tree ferns.
The grove earned its counterculture nickname in the 1960s, and the name stuck. Today it’s a quiet spot where joggers pass through and occasional birdwatchers stop. No signage, no benches, no interpretation. Just a dense grove of prehistoric plants in the middle of a city park.
A 2-minute walk-through at most. Pairs with other Golden Gate Park stops like the Conservatory of Flowers or the Dahlia Garden, both a short walk away.
Visiting
Address: Near the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, close to the Conservatory of Flowers
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
When to go: Morning, when dew sits on the fronds and the light filters through the canopy.
What to know: There’s no sign marking the grove. Look for the dense cluster of tree ferns between JFK Drive and the Conservatory of Flowers.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 5-Fulton or 21-Hayes to the park’s eastern entrance at Fell and Stanyan.
Parking: Free parking along JFK Drive.
Walking: Steps from the Conservatory of Flowers, the Dahlia Garden, and the park’s main meadows.
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