The Conservatory of Flowers, (415) 666-7001,www.conservatoryofflowers.org, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: $5.
It is best to visit Golden Gate Park on Sundays, when cars are prohibited (shops rent bikes and skates near park entrances; rentals are also available at Stow Lake). A picnic spot can be found at one of the many lush meadows; hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream and the like are sold at Stow Lake, the Carousel and other locations. It is a good idea to pick up a map of the park (available at bike rental shops and also McLaren Lodge (weekdays only), at the Stanyon Street entrance; the park's serpentine roads are charming, but it's easy to get lost. Information: (415) 831-2700. A free shuttle crosses the park every 15 minutes, making 15 stops, on weekends and holidays until Oct. 26; (415) 831-2727;
www.goldengateparkconcourse.org.
Carousel. This 1912 merry-go-round is irresistible. Open weekends only after Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (415) 867-6350; $1.50; 50 cents for children 6 to 12; 5 and under free with paying adult.
Lawn Bowling. Spend a few minutes watching lawn bowlers dressed in white play their gentle game on Bowling Green Drive near the Carousel. For information or reservations call (415) 753-9298.
Skating. On Sundays check out the scene near Sixth Avenue at J.F.K. Drive, where dancing and extreme moves are the norm.
Japanese Tea Garden. In this lovely 1894 garden, visitors can sip tea while gazing at koi in ponds below and eat fortune cookies where they were first served in 1914. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; (415) 752-4227. Admission is $3.50; tea and cookies, $2.95.
The 55-acre Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, (415) 661-1316, has a collection of plants from all over the world. Open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours.
Swing Dancers. You can join in or sit back and enjoy the impromptu show at ''Lindy in the Park,'' an informal gathering of swing dancers who move to the likes of Count Basie on Sundays, late morning to early afternoon, at the bandstand across from the Japanese Tea Garden.
The California Academy of Sciences, (415) 750-7145,
www.calacademy.org, near the Japanese Tea Garden, includes the Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium and Morrison Planetarium. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $8.50.
Stow Lake. You can rent a rowboat, pedal or electric boat and glide by nesting snowy egrets at this idyllic spot. The boathouse, on Stow Lake Drive, is open daily.
Spreckels Lake. Here you can watch as members of the Model Boat Club race miniature power boats and sailboats.
Bison Paddock. An almost prehistoric-looking herd lumbers around its field.
Angler's Lodge and Casting Club. Even for those who don't fish, it's fascinating to watch the avid practice here, at what one member described as ''a driving range for fishermen.'' Visitors are welcome Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends.
Beach Chalet. This 1925 building, with a visitors' center downstairs and brewery and restaurant upstairs, is adorned with W.P.A. Depression-era frescoes by Lucien Labaudt, a French artist and costume designer who moved here in 1910. The restaurant, with views of crashing waves at Ocean Beach, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner (a ''sunset at the beach'' special of salmon or braised brisket, salad and dessert is $23.95); (415) 386-8439. Call (415) 751-2766 for the visitors' center.
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