From Children’s Recreation Building to Public Art Center

The Sharon Building was constructed in 1888 to support the pioneering children’s recreation area that opened beside it. Designed in a Richardsonian Romanesque style, it provided indoor space and refreshments when bad weather interrupted outdoor play.

The building survived the 1906 earthquake era, then suffered a major fire in 1974. Art programs temporarily relocated before returning after restoration in 1984.

Friends of Sharon Art Studio was founded in 1991 and today works with San Francisco Recreation and Parks to support classes, equipment and the historic facility.

What Happens Inside Sharon Art Studio

The studio offers arts education for youth, teens, adults and seniors. Programs commonly include ceramics, leaded and fused glass, jewelry and metal arts, drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media.

This is primarily an active community art school rather than a drop-in museum. Visitors interested in participating should review the current class calendar and registration requirements.

Planning a Visit

The studio sits beside Robin Williams Meadow and near the Koret Children’s Quarter and historic carousel, making this one of the easiest family-and-arts clusters in the eastern half of Golden Gate Park.

Parking is available in the area, but Golden Gate Park’s car-free routes and busy weekends can change the easiest approach. Public transit, walking and the park shuttle are often practical alternatives.

What to See Nearby

Pair Sharon Art Studio with the Historic Carousel & Koret Children’s Quarter, Robin Williams Meadow, lawn bowling greens, Conservatory of Flowers and the eastern Golden Gate Park entrance near Haight-Ashbury.

Quick Facts About Sharon Art Studio

1. Sharon Art Studio is San Francisco’s largest public art center, housed in one of Golden Gate Park’s most distinctive historic recreation buildings.
2. Current facility hours are Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM and Sunday closed.
3. The Sharon Building was constructed in 1888 to support the pioneering children’s recreation area that opened beside it.
4. The building survived the 1906 earthquake era, then suffered a major fire in 1974.
5. Friends of Sharon Art Studio was founded in 1991 and today works with San Francisco Recreation and Parks to support classes, equipment and the historic facility.
6. The studio offers arts education for youth, teens, adults and seniors.
7. This is primarily an active community art school rather than a drop-in museum.
8. The studio sits beside Robin Williams Meadow and near the Koret Children’s Quarter and historic carousel, making this one of the easiest family-and-arts clusters in the eastern half of Golden Gate Park.

More Golden Gate Park Attractions Nearby

• Golden Gate Park
• Beach Chalet
• Bison Paddock
• Blue Heron Lake & Strawberry Hill
• Conservatory of Flowers
• de Young Museum

For the full park overview, museums, gardens, lakes and route planning, see the Golden Gate Park visitor guide.

See More of Golden Gate Park in One San Francisco Route

Golden Gate Park is three miles long, so smaller attractions are easiest to appreciate when they are connected with the park’s major museums, gardens, lakes and nearby neighborhoods.

San Francisco Jeep Tours →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sharon Art Studio

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Lawn Bowling in Golden Gate Park Since 1901

The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club grew out of the city’s Scottish community and first played on the Golden Gate Park green in 1901.

The greens survived the disruption of the 1906 earthquake era, when the area was reportedly used as a horse corral, and the club continued to grow through the twentieth century.

The 1915 Clubhouse & Landmark Setting

The Edwardian-style clubhouse and greens form an important historic recreation landscape in the park. The site is recognized as a San Francisco landmark.

John McLaren, Golden Gate Park’s legendary superintendent, was closely associated with the early club.

Learning the Game

Lawn bowls is a precision sport in which players roll biased bowls toward a smaller target ball called the jack. The curve built into each bowl is part of the challenge.

The club advertises free lessons for people who want to learn. Contact the club for the current lesson schedule rather than relying on old fixed weekly times.

Nearby Attractions

Sharon Art Studio, Koret Children’s Quarter, the carousel and Robin Williams Meadow make this a strong eastern Golden Gate Park recreation cluster.

Quick Facts About Lawn Bowling Courts

1. The manicured lawn bowling greens beside Robin Williams Meadow preserve one of Golden Gate Park’s oldest organized recreation traditions.
2. The club offers free introductory lessons by arrangement.
3. The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club grew out of the city’s Scottish community and first played on the Golden Gate Park green in 1901.
4. The greens survived the disruption of the 1906 earthquake era, when the area was reportedly used as a horse corral, and the club continued to grow through the twentieth century.
5. The Edwardian-style clubhouse and greens form an important historic recreation landscape in the park.
6. John McLaren, Golden Gate Park’s legendary superintendent, was closely associated with the early club.
7. Lawn bowls is a precision sport in which players roll biased bowls toward a smaller target ball called the jack.
8. The club advertises free lessons for people who want to learn.

More Golden Gate Park Attractions Nearby

• Golden Gate Park
• Beach Chalet
• Bison Paddock
• Blue Heron Lake & Strawberry Hill
• Conservatory of Flowers
• de Young Museum

For the full park overview, museums, gardens, lakes and route planning, see the Golden Gate Park visitor guide.

See More of Golden Gate Park in One San Francisco Route

Golden Gate Park is three miles long, so smaller attractions are easiest to appreciate when they are connected with the park’s major museums, gardens, lakes and nearby neighborhoods.

San Francisco Jeep Tours →

Lucky Tuk Tuk Private San Francisco City Tour →

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Bowling Courts

Keep Planning Your San Francisco Visit

• All San Francisco Attractions
• First Time in San Francisco
• San Francisco in 2, 3 or 4 Hours
• Best Private San Francisco Tours
• San Francisco Travel Blog
• San Francisco Travel FAQ

One of America’s Earliest Public Playgrounds

The playground opened in 1888 as the Sharon Quarters for Children and is widely described as one of the nation’s first public playgrounds. At the time, creating a dedicated public space specifically for children’s recreation was a remarkably new idea.

The playground was extensively renovated and reopened in 2007 as the Koret Children’s Quarter. Modern climbing structures were added while the beloved historic concrete slide was retained.

The 1914 Herschell-Spillman Carousel

The current carousel was built in 1914 by the Herschell-Spillman Company. Before reaching Golden Gate Park, it operated in Los Angeles and Portland and appeared at the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island.

It was installed in Golden Gate Park around 1940, later closed for restoration in 1977 and returned to service in 1984.

The carousel features 62 painted animals including horses, a dragon, camel, frogs, dogs, roosters, pigs and other figures. Painted interior panels depict Bay Area scenery.

Planning a Family Visit

The playground includes accessible play features, picnic space and restrooms. Carousel hours are less predictable than park hours, so check before promising children a ride.

Nearby Sharon Art Studio and Robin Williams Meadow make this an easy place to spend an hour or more without crossing the park.

Nearby Golden Gate Park Stops

Sharon Art Studio, Robin Williams Meadow, the Lawn Bowling Courts and Conservatory of Flowers are all nearby. Families can also continue toward the California Academy of Sciences and Music Concourse.

Quick Facts About Historic Carousel & Koret Children’s Quarter

1. The Koret Children’s Quarter and historic carousel are among Golden Gate Park’s best family stops—and among its most historically important recreation sites.
2. The playground follows Golden Gate Park hours.
3. The playground opened in 1888 as the Sharon Quarters for Children and is widely described as one of the nation’s first public playgrounds.
4. The playground was extensively renovated and reopened in 2007 as the Koret Children’s Quarter.
5. The current carousel was built in 1914 by the Herschell-Spillman Company.
6. It was installed in Golden Gate Park around 1940, later closed for restoration in 1977 and returned to service in 1984.
7. The carousel features 62 painted animals including horses, a dragon, camel, frogs, dogs, roosters, pigs and other figures.
8. The playground includes accessible play features, picnic space and restrooms.

More Golden Gate Park Attractions Nearby

• Golden Gate Park
• Beach Chalet
• Bison Paddock
• Blue Heron Lake & Strawberry Hill
• Conservatory of Flowers
• de Young Museum

For the full park overview, museums, gardens, lakes and route planning, see the Golden Gate Park visitor guide.

See More of Golden Gate Park in One San Francisco Route

Golden Gate Park is three miles long, so smaller attractions are easiest to appreciate when they are connected with the park’s major museums, gardens, lakes and nearby neighborhoods.

San Francisco Jeep Tours →

Lucky Tuk Tuk Private San Francisco City Tour →

Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Carousel & Koret Children’s Quarter

Keep Planning Your San Francisco Visit

• All San Francisco Attractions
• First Time in San Francisco
• San Francisco in 2, 3 or 4 Hours
• Best Private San Francisco Tours
• San Francisco Travel Blog
• San Francisco Travel FAQ