Tree Fern Dell (Mescaline Grove)
The Verdict
"A dense stand of tree ferns in Golden Gate Park, some over 15 feet tall, with sword ferns, Boston ferns, and European ferns covering the ground. In the 1960s it picked up the nickname "Mescaline Grove," which still circulates. No signs or benches. A 2 minute walk off JFK Drive near the Conservatory of Flowers. 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
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: JFK Drive is car-free. Street parking along Fulton Street or paid parking in the Music Concourse garage.
Walking: Steps from the Conservatory of Flowers, the Dahlia Garden, and the park’s main meadows.
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