San Francisco Botanical Garden

Claire WithLove★★★★★

I bought the Gardens of Golden Gate Park pass—three gardens for three days for $25—which was a much better value for me than paying $15 to visit just the Botanical Garden for one day. I also visited the Japanese Tea Garden, which is $16 for a one-day ticket. If you only have an hour or less, the Japanese Tea Garden is a good choice. But if you have several hours and want to wander among beautiful examples of flowers and plants from around the world in a more peaceful environment, I much preferred the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The San Francisco Botanical Garden was a highlight of my trip to San Francisco and the best botanical garden I have ever visited. If you're an introvert or simply looking for some peace and quiet amid the bustle of San Francisco, this 55-acre garden with more than 8,000 different kinds of plants provides a wonderful escape. What I especially loved was that you aren't limited to the main pathways connecting the different garden areas. Within many of the gardens are smaller, winding dirt and pebble paths that let you wander right alongside the plants and beneath the trees. You can really immerse yourself in the surroundings and get in some serious forest-bathing rest and relaxation. Some of my favorite areas were the Moon Viewing Garden, Ancient Plant Garden, Australia Garden, Andean Cloud Forest, Southeast Asian Cloud Forest, Fragrance Garden, and Redwood Grove. Each felt different enough that wandering from one to another was almost like traveling through different parts of the world without leaving Golden Gate Park. One practical tip: Take a picture of the large garden map when you arrive so you'll have it on your phone. With 55 acres and all those little winding paths, it's surprisingly easy to lose your sense of direction. I found some of the exit signs confusing and occasionally felt as though they were sending me back and forth when I was trying to find my way out. Give yourself time here. For me, this wasn't a garden to race through checking off sights. The pleasure was in slowing down, wandering down those little paths, getting close to the leaves and trees, and simply enjoying being surrounded by so much nature.

4 weeks ago

Vibe Check Inspector★★★★★

We had a great experience visiting the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The entire garden was clean, well maintained, and very peaceful to walk through. There is a wide variety of themed sections throughout the garden, each offering something a little different, from open meadow-style areas to more dense and immersive plant environments. It made for a very enjoyable place to explore at a relaxed pace. It can get busy at times, but the space is large enough that it never felt overcrowded in most areas. Overall, it was a beautiful and relaxing place to spend time outdoors and would be worth returning to again.

3 months ago

Cindy Nguyen★★★★★

We came for free during the morning slot and spent a nice two hours in here. We loved how big it was as there was a lot to see! My favorite spot was the red tree forest, mini forest, and fragrance garden! We enjoyed this place so much! Definitely go in the morning for free if you can! So peaceful as it’s not too busy.

5 months ago

San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
San Francisco, CA 94122

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