Huntington Falls is an artificial waterfall in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California: a 110-foot cascade, by the city's count, that tumbles down the east side of Strawberry Hill into the lake that circles the hill. It was completed in 1893 and rebuilt in 1984 after collapsing in 1962.
The falls
There is no natural creek here. The falls were designed to link a reservoir on top of Strawberry Hill with Stow Lake, renamed Blue Heron Lake in January 2024, with water originally pumped from the lake back up to the hilltop to run again. The rock is concrete sculpted to look like natural stone. Municipal records list the height as 110 feet, while historical register documentation describes a cascade of about 90 feet. Two pedestrian bridges cross the falls, and stepping stones sit at the base.
Getting there
The falls are managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks as part of Stow Lake. The path around the lake passes the falls, and two bridges connect the shore to Strawberry Hill, where trails climb to the summit. The Roman Bridge, a concrete arch designed by Arthur Page Brown in 1893, leads to the top of the hill.
When to go
The falls run on recirculated lake water rather than a stream. The city doesn't publish a pumping schedule.
On site
From the east end of the lake the falls serve as the focal point of the view. Stairs and an overlook beside the upper falls give views across the park; in 1894 visitors used the hill as a lookout over the Midwinter Fair.
History and name
Park superintendent John McLaren conceived the waterfall, and William W. Stow secured a $25,000 gift from railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington, for whom it is named. Water first ran on April 8, 1894. On July 24, 1962, a broken irrigation line undermined the concrete foundations and the falls collapsed. They stayed dry until a reconstruction costing $846,000, rededicated on June 12, 1984, added new piping, a footbridge and the stepping stones.
Nearby
Kent Falls is about 10.5 miles away, Cascade Falls about 11.1 miles, and Dawn Falls about 12.7 miles. Boats can be rented at the Stow Lake Boathouse on the lake's north shore.
Distances are straight-line.