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| Landmark #454 | San Francisco County | Visited: November 16, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A nice restaurant on the site of R.B. Woodward’s garden / zoo / amusement park / museum! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: R. B. Woodward opened his gardens to the public in 1866 as an amusement park catering to all tastes, and it remained San Francisco’s most popular resort until it closed in 1892. The Gardens once occupied the block bounded by Mission, Duboce, Valencia, and 14th Streets, the main entrance was on Mission.
OTHER TIDBITS: Robert Woodward made his fortune as proprietor of the What Cheer House, another San Francisco Historical Landmark! His guests would bring him gifts from around the globe, which turned into a steadily expanding collection. When he bought the land that would eventually become Woodward’s Gardens, he had amassed such a collection of oddities that many people wanted invitations to come in and see the collection! Ultimately, he gave in and opened his estate to the public! At its height, the Gardens held the most comprehensive, mostly free-range zoo on the West Coast, four museums and an art gallery, a 5,000-seat concert venue, the West Coast’s largest rollerskating rink, and one of the first aquariums in the world! The Gardens were immensely popular until Woodward died in 1879, and the public’s attention moved to the new Golden Gate Park. Now all that’s left is a tavern with the Woodward name! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: SW corner of Mission and Duboce Sts San Francisco, CA 94103 ANNOTATIONS: 1700 Mission St From Los Angeles: ~382mi (615km) — 6.4hrs |
| When should I go? | You can see the plaque any time, but if you want dinner at the restaurant, you’ll have to visit between 6:00 and 11:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday! |
