When National Geographic Traveler magazine recently asked me to name one of my favorite Golden Gate Park destinations, I chose the playground at Koret Children’s Quarter--for its great old carousel and wild slide. Pick up the December issue of National Geographic Traveler to see what other Bay Area folks have to say about the park: Michael Tilson Thomas, Maya Lin, floral artist Stanlee Gatti, California Academy of Sciences Senior Curator of Botany Frank Almeda, local yoga celeb Janet Stone, and Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope. Or visit the interactive Insiders Map on the magazine’s website.

 As my husband and I contemplate throwing in the urban towel and moving to the sunny burbs, I know that one of the things I'll miss the most if we move is the park, which is just a block and a half from our house. Our son loves the slide and the carousel, so the Koret playground has become one of our more frequent haunts. (Fair warning: Just last week my husband took our son there. They were accompanied by our young nephew from LA, who tried the gigantic cement slide and ended up breaking his leg).

Mommification aside, my own favorite spots in the park are Stowe Lake, the less trodden trails near the horse paddocks behind the big soccer field, and the North Windmill in Queen Wilhelmina's Tulip Garden, across the street from the Park Chalet.

 Where do you go when you venture into the park?