There may not be a more relaxing way to spend a perfect day in San Francisco than treating yourself to a trip to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Tucked in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Botanical Garden isn’t just a Bay Area gem, it’s an iconic San Francisco landmark—and one of the must-see gardens in all of California.
History of the San Francisco Botanical Garden
The seeds of what later became the premier botanical garden in California were first planted in the late 1800s, but doors to the gardens and the historic Arboretum didn’t open until 1940. Over the years, the gardens evolved, and new flora and fauna were added. The Moon Viewing Garden and library opened in the 1970s, and in the next few decades, the Mediterranean Forest was added. Later, in the 2000s, the gardens underwent large-scale renovations and updates, including the Southeast Asian Cloud Forest—the first of its kind in the world.
Seasonality of the San Francisco Botanical Garden:
There’s never a bad time to visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden, but what you’ll see blooming will change depending on the time of year. Here’s what shines in each season.
Winter (January–March)
If you’re here during the winter months, you’ll catch the Magnificent Magnolias at their most breathtaking. They blanket the garden in a sea of pink and white hues.
Spring (April–May)
This is when the California Native Garden shows off all the beautiful flora you can only find in the Golden State. The Garden of Fragrance is also worth exploring this season, as the warm weather enhances the delightful aroma of the plants. Don’t miss it.
Summer (June–September)
It’s best to visit the Redwood Groves in the summer, when the canopy from these towering trees offers a much-needed respite from the summer heat and can be admired at their finest. It’s a California experience unlike any other.
Fall (October–December)
There is nothing quite like soaking in the Mesoamerican, Andean, and Southeast Cloud Forests, which hail from Mexico, South America, and Central America respectively, yet flourish in the cooling fog of San Francisco.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Top Attractions
Mesoamerican Cloud Forest
Step into the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest and be transported to another world. The garden, first planted in 1984, has grown into a gorgeous landscape of tropical oak and pine trees creating a canopy peppered with tropical and subtropical plants, like vibrant fuchsias and tree daisies.
California Native Garden
There’s no place on Earth like California, and this stunning garden proves it. More than 6,000 different flora call the state home, and some of the most exciting are on display here. Walk through the Redwood Grove and glance up at the towering trees above or take a peek at the wildflowers as native insects and birds zip by.
Ancient Plant Garden
If you squint hard enough during a visit to the Ancient Plant Garden, you can almost picture the dinosaurs and long-extinct creatures who once populated the area. Take a trip through time and check out plants dating back to the early Devonian period, as well as some from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Andean Cloud Forest
With its cool, foggy climate, San Francisco offers a sweet spot for the plants in the Andean Cloud Forest, mimicking the climate of a cloud forest in the Andes Mountains. The Andean wax palms—the tallest species of palm trees in the world—are a must-see, and there are plenty of colorful flowers down at eye level as well.
Moon Viewing Garden
If calm and tranquility is your thing, look no further. The Moon Viewing Garden feels like it’s been plucked from a storybook, filled with lush Japanese plants and stone pagodas. This oasis may be the most peaceful place in all of San Francisco and makes for a perfect place to soak in all the city has to offer.
Other Notable Attractions
The South Africa Garden is one of the most unique at the park—no matter when you visit, you’ll always be greeted by plants in bloom, like South African proteas or gorgeous Nerines. If bold shapes and colors catch your eye, the Succulent Garden might be for you. Come by in the winter and you’ll be greeted with pops of red flowers on the Aloe arborescens, better known as the Candelabra Aloe. And parents will want to check out the Children’s Garden, where they can learn about the local flora alongside their kids.
Know Before You Go
If you want to dig deep on the San Francisco Botanical Garden, make sure to treat yourself to a tour led by a garden docent. In just 90 minutes, eager visitors will see all the breathtaking blooms the garden has to offer, starting from the main gate and journeying through the most exhilarating sights in the park. Tours are free to patrons, and private tours for groups of eight or more can be scheduled for a small fee. Just make sure to reach out at least a month in advance.
And those looking to take a little piece of the Botanical Garden home with them are in luck. The Plant Store is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, offering visitors a chance to start building their own garden. Different types of plants are on sale depending on the time of year, so make sure to check out the store’s website before you go.
With a collection of more than 8,000 plants across 55 picturesque acres in the heart of San Francisco, there isn’t another place like the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Whether you’re looking to soak up all Golden Gate Park has to offer—from the planetarium and aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences to the fine art collections at the de Young—or checking out another of the California coastline’s impeccable gardens, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than wandering through the expansive San Francisco Botanical Garden.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Tickets, Hours, and Parking
San Francisco Botanical Garden Tickets:
Purchasing your tickets to the Botanical Garden in advance is recommended, but it is possible to buy tickets at the gate upon arrival. Entrance is free each day between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., and all day on the second Tuesday of every month.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Hours:
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is open daily starting at 7:30 am, and closes one hour after the last patron enters (last entry changes seasonally, but is typically between 4 and 6 p.m.). Don’t miss the Garden Bookstore & Plant Shop, or the garden’s library.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Parking:
Cars and bicycles can park at the Music Concourse Garage, located off Martin Luther King Drive in Golden Gate Park, across from the Botanical Garden. There’s limited street parking available at Golden Gate Park, so finding a spot in the garage is encouraged. The garage is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily.