Family-Friendly Watering Hole with music & lawn games opens for 4th season in Golden Gate Park

SAN FRANCISCO – One of Golden Gate Park’s most joyful seasonal traditions is back: The Whale’s Tail outdoor garden bar reopens Memorial Day weekend with an even bigger splash—featuring live music, guest DJs, paint-and-sip classes, interactive photo booths, animal fun, and a kickoff celebration for SF Pride.

Now in its fourth season, the family- and dog-friendly space will once again transform the JFK Promenade’s Golden Mile into a vibrant weekend destination filled with drinks, lawn games, public art, and curated local food trucks. Located just west of the Rose Garden near 14th Avenue East Meadow, the Whale’s Tail will be open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon (noon to 6pm) through October, plus select holiday Mondays.

“We’re thrilled to be back in this awe-inspiring space,’ said Ben Davis, of Illuminate, which created and maintains The Golden Mile. “Our goal from the outset has been to create a place of  joy in the park where you can relax with a beverage and enjoy some beautiful music and this most definitely is it.”

This year brings even more to love: a rotating calendar of live local music, DJs, family-friendly interactive events such as yoga, paint & sips, and photobooths, plus delicious food and beverage offerings. Visitors can even enjoy a bit of whale watching, thanks to the vibrant Street Whale mural by Reuben Rude just outside the garden. This colorful 3D installation and other public art along The Golden Mile channel the creative energy that adds to the whimsy of Golden Gate Park.

“Golden Gate Park is a place of connection, wonder, and escape. The Whale’s Tail captures that spirit perfectly—it’s playful, inclusive, and one more reason to fall in love with this park all over again,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Visitors can enjoy a cold drink, play lawn games, and check out interactive art.” 

Highlights of the special 3-day opening weekend include an interactive animal experience hosted by Tree Frog Treks, immersive photo booths by SnapFiesta, paint & sip classes, a Pride Month kickoff on Memorial Day, and much more. The project is a collaborative effort from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Illuminate, and Non Plus Ultra, all committed to creating an inclusive and joyful gathering space.

The Whale’s Tail will be open from noon to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, plus select holiday Mondays from May through October.
Schedule for Opening Weekend:

Saturday May 24, 12pm – 6:30pm

• Ongoing:
  • Interactive Animal Exhibit by Tree Frog Treks
  • Photo Booth by SnapFiesta
  • Food Truck: El Alambre
• Performing Artists:
  • 12:05 Manos Lindas
  • 1:00 LOUIZA
  • 1:55 DJ Kinki
  • 2:50 R-E
  • 3:45 Jubilee

Sunday May 25, 12pm – 6:30pm

• Ongoing:
  • Interactive Animal Exhibit by Tree Frog Treks
  • Photo Booth by SnapFiesta
  • Food Truck: Borschmobile
• Performing Artists:
  • 12:05 Three Flower Jam
  • 1:00 Jin the Queen
  • 1:55 DJ ZayBae
  • 2:50 The Junior
  • 3:45 The Fibonacci

Monday May 26, 12pm – 6pm (Memorial Day)

• Ongoing:
  • Photo Booth by SnapFiesta
  • Face Painting
  • Fashion Showcase
  • Balloon Art by Alex the Balloon Artist
  • Food Truck: Tacos El Cowboy
• Performing Artists:
  • 12:15 – 1:15 DJ FLPN
  • 1:15 – 2:15 DJ Pap
  • 2:30 – 3:30 SweetFeep
  • 3:30 – 3:45 Drag Show Featuring Sicaria + Goyo, Kris Shein, Mark Savant
  • 3:45 – 4:45 Vega
  • 4:45 – 6:00 Castaway

To view the performance schedule, click here. 
More details about The Golden Mile

Contact:
Patricia Suflita Wilson
patricia@illuminate.org 
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
rpdcommunications@sfgov.org