The island is covered with a variety of trees and shrubbery and contains several trails and dirt steps that encircle and lead to the top of the hill.

Strawberry hill contains Huntington Falls, the 110 foot tall, first artificial waterfall installed in Golden Gate Park that leads into the lake.

In the center of the open area are the ruined foundations of the Sweeny Observatory, built in 1891 as a public viewpoint and destroyed by the 1906 earthquake.

Local high school track and cross country teams are frequently seen practicing running up and around the hill for resistance training.

In 2024, the hill was discussed during an episode of The Metallica Report, as Ron Quintana shared memories of first meeting drummer Lars Ulrich there.