Rowboats and Pedal Boats at Stow Lake

Stow Lake is a man-made lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, and the Stow Lake Boathouse at 50 Stow Lake Drive East rents rowboats and pedal boats for a relaxed hour on the water. The lake surrounds Strawberry Hill, an island with waterfalls and a Chinese pavilion, so the usual route is a slow loop around the island with views of the park's trees and wildlife. The activity is recreational boating on flat, enclosed water, and it needs no experience, special fitness or training. Adults and children can take part, and pedal boats are popular with families. Life jackets are supplied with the rental, and visitors should bring a sun hat, sunscreen and cash or a card. Rowboats cost about $22 to $26 per hour and pedal boats about $27 per hour, with current rates confirmed at the boathouse. The Stow Lake Boathouse is the long-standing concession on the lake, and staff issue boats, explain basic rules and keep an eye on the water. Safety is straightforward because the lake is shallow, calm and enclosed, and the shore is never far away, so any problem can be handled by returning to the dock or calling staff. Boats must be returned on time, and rental windows may close earlier in poor weather. The lake sits about 5 miles (8 km) west of downtown, and visitors can reach it by bus or car, with parking in the park. The best season is April to October, when mornings are mild, and weekdays are quieter than weekends, when lines at the dock can be long. Visitors should avoid windy or rainy days, when rentals may be suspended. Because the boathouse also serves snacks and has a small cafe, a boat ride can be paired with a walk up Strawberry Hill or a visit to the nearby Japanese Tea Garden and the botanical garden within Golden Gate Park.