Bowl for It

Learn to Lawn Bowl at Golden Gate Park

If the Big Lebowski switched from lane bowling to lawn bowling, Golden Gate Park would be his new hangout. Quirky fits right in at the San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club here, which has been going strong since 1901. Even better, the club offers a Free Intro to Lawn Bowling class every Saturday at noon. Think shuffleboard meets curling—or something like that—and get your competitive juices flowing.

The club’s instructors will guide you through the rules, form, and techniques: Step onto the rink (the grassed area), pick up your bowl (aka the ball used in lawn bowling), and roll it down the grass line towards the jack—a small white ball on the opposite end of the line. Here’s the rub: The bowls are actually weighted on one side, causing them to curve as they roll. So you’ll need to employ strategies like the draw shot (trying to get closest to the jack) or the drive shot (a more robust bowl where you try to knock your opponent’s bowl away—boo-yeah!).

Points are scored based on the number of bowls closest to the jack—and when in doubt, the measuring tape might even come out! Our tip: Don’t aim straight for the jack when you roll out the bowl; instead, try to roll at an angle, aiming wide left or wide right, so it curves. It takes a while to get the hang of it with the weighted bowls, so hang in there and have fun. (Bonus points for drinking White Russians and wearing a bathrobe.)

The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club is located at 320 Bowling Green Dr. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the clubhouse. Wednesday and Saturday lessons are free and last about an hour. Be sure to bring flat-soled shoes, a hat or sunglasses, sunscreen, and water.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View