Ben & WiLl
Ben & WiLl
Travel
Getting to the Grove
June 23rd is going to be a busy day in Golden Gate Park. It's a weekend, it's the summer, and it's SF's Gay Pride. As a result:
PARKING MAY BE LIMITED!
We suggest using a taxi service or ride-share app to get to the National AIDS Memorial Grove, if possible.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we've come up with some suggestions for where to park, listed below.
San Francisco, CA, USA
There are so few of you fabulous folks coming from out of town that we were unable to reserve a full "block" of hotel rooms for the wedding. Regrettably, this means that planning and booking your accommodations is up to you.
Not to worry, though! San Francisco has plenty of lodging options.
The Haight -
For anyone with mobility concerns, we recommend booking a place near the wedding venue (the National AIDS Memorial Grove, within Golden Gate Park). For reference, our original thought was the Stanyan Park Hotel, though we've heard they don't have vacancies during our wedding weekend. Really, anywhere in the Haight/Ashbury neighborhood would do, and would make for a quintessentially SF visit.
Union Square -
If you're looking to be a little more "in the thick of things" during your trip, we recommend staying in any of the myriad hotels around Union Square. That area is definitely the commercial and nightlife center of the city, with transportation hubs to match.
Outer Richmond -
And, lastly, we have a soft spot for our own neighborhood. The beach, the fog, miles of parks and trails. For a taste of how we live our lives, stay somewhere in the Outer Richmond District. The Seal Rock Inn, for example, isn't fancy... but eating breakfast overlooking the Pacific never gets old.
Thanks again, to all of you who are traveling to be with us on our big day. We're thrilled you're making the trip!
Street Parking
The first thing to try is to simply drive around the Grove, in search of a parking spot on the street. Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive are both zoned for free parking, it's just a question of whether there are any spaces available when you drive by. As always, obey all posted signs.
If you can't find street parking, it's time to try your luck with the local parking lots.
Small Lot at Koret Playground
If you travel south along Bowling Green Drive from the Grove, you'll arrive at the Koret Children's Playground. There is a small parking lot in front of the SF Lawn Bowling Club building, near where Bowling Green Drive intersects Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Music Concourse Garage
If you travel west from the Grove along Nancy Pelosi Drive, and then take the first right turn onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and then take the next right turn onto Music Concourse Drive, you'll reach the Music Concourse Garage.
There's an alternate entrance along Fulton Street, at 10th Avenue.
With 800 parking spots, this subterranean lot will likely have room for your vehicle, but it won't come cheap. Rates start at $6/hour.
It should also be noted that this garage's standard hours of operation are from 7 AM to 7 PM, and our reception doesn't end until 8 PM. Check in with the garage operators to see about after hours options, or else move your car from the garage to the street, after you eat dinner. The later in the day it gets, the more street parking becomes available.
ABC Parking
ABC Parking is located at the southeastern corner of Golden Gate Park, adjacent to Kezar Stadium. The address is 825 Stanyan Street, at Frederick Street. Rates are high, but it's only a short walk away from the Grove.