The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate park is one of the quieter tourist sites in the city, but is still not to be missed. While a bit small, the grounds are beautiful and well kept. The atmosphere is serene and it's a nice little place to walk through or to take a break from the rest of the city. I always stop and get a pot of green tea and some crackers at the little tea house in the center of the gardens. The view is fabulous, with an overlook of the koi ponds and gardens.
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