Hippie Hill is the colloquial name for a gentle slope on the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park, located just inside the Stanyan Street entrance. It is a culturally significant public space associated with counterculture events and the 1967 Summer of Love.

What is Hippie Hill known for?

The site is known for its association with the 1967 Summer of Love and for hosting weekend drum circles in its grassy area. It is also the site of San Francisco's legendary 4/20 celebration, which typically draws about 20,000 people.

Is the 4/20 event at Hippie Hill still happening?

Reports indicate that the annual 4/20 celebration at Hippie Hill has been canceled for three straight years due to funding shortfalls after the city stopped sanctioning it in 2023.

What happens during the city-run 4/20 celebration at Hippie Hill?

The city-run event features regulated cannabis sales and consumption in designated areas, live DJs, special appearances, and wellness programming such as guided meditation, stretching, and ganja yoga.

Are there age restrictions for the 4/20 event at Hippie Hill?

Yes, admission to the fenced celebration area for the 4/20 event is restricted to people age 21 and over.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Hippie Hill in San Francisco

Hippie Hill

A legendary gentle slope at the Stanyan Street entrance of Golden Gate Park, Hippie Hill serves as a historic epicenter for San Francisco's counterculture and massive annual 4/20 cannabis celebrations.

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What to know

Hippie Hill is the colloquial name for a gentle slope located on the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park, positioned just inside the Stanyan Street entrance. This natural public space is deeply woven into the city's social fabric, remaining a culturally significant site for counterculture events and the city's legendary 4/20 celebrations. The area is historically linked to the 1967 Summer of Love, a pivotal movement that drew as many as 100,000 people to the nearby Haight-Ashbury district. This legacy of openness and rebellion continues today, as the site frequently hosts weekend drum circles within its grassy expanse, maintaining the spirit of the sixties. In recent years, the location has become the primary site for a massive 4/20 event that typically draws 20,000 cannabis fans. Past city-sanctioned iterations of this festival have featured wellness programming, live DJs, and a host appearance by Erykah Badu. These events have included regulated cannabis sales and consumption in designated areas, with entry to fenced sections restricted to those age 21 and over. Despite its popularity, the city-sanctioned festival has faced instability. Funding shortfalls led the city to stop sanctioning the event in 2023, and reports indicate the annual celebration was canceled for a third straight year by 2026. Nevertheless, the hill remains a landmark of San Francisco's enduring bohemian identity.

Visitor tips

Visit on the weekends to increase your chances of encountering local drum circles in the grassy area.
If visiting during a major event, avoid driving and use public transit to bypass significant congestion around Golden Gate Park.
Enter through the Stanyan Street entrance for the quickest access to the slope.

Nearby context

Located at the eastern gateway of Golden Gate Park, Hippie Hill is a short walk from other serene landmarks such as the AIDS Memorial Grove and the botanical displays of the Conservatory of Flowers.