By James Salazar | Examiner staff writer
Feb 25, 2026
Author Marta Lindsey's 210-page book "Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local's Guide" features contributions from walking and biking tour designer Nancy Botkin.
A new guidebook written by a pair of San Francisco residents will give locals tips, tricks and tidbits about Golden Gate Park, one of the world’s largest urban parks.
Author Marta Lindsey and walking and biking tour designer Nancy Botkin will release “Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide” on March 2. The 210-page book covers the park’s nearly 160-year history, while also giving readers recommendations on how to best spend their days at the 1,017-acre urban oasis.
The book’s topics include fun activities and entertainment to experience in the park, as well as the types of trees, insects and animals that can be found living in the area. Botkin designed walking and hiking trails that will take readers through places like Golden Gate Park’s rose garden, redwood groves, waterfalls and other scenic locations.
Lindsey and Botkin said working on the book allowed them to interact with other residents who are passionate about Golden Gate Park in their own ways, while also giving them the opportunity to elevate the park’s beauty for others.
“Falling in love with Golden Gate Park was the falling in love with San Francisco for me,” said Lindsey, who moved near the Panhandle with her husband five years ago after a few years of living in the Inner Sunset. The park soon became the backdrop for barbecues with friends, walks with her children and free concerts at the Golden Gate Bandshell.
Lindsey had previously ventured into the world of literature with “Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure,” a 2020 book illustrated by artist Michael Wertz that introduced children to the English alphabet with things that could be found in the park.
“In taking on that challenge, I did a deep dive in researching the park,” Lindsey said.
SF residents’ new book delves into Golden Gate Park
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