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San Francisco Botanical Garden
Rating Details »
Categories: Botanical Gardens, Event Planning & Services
9th Ave & Lincoln WayGolden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-1316
End of Season Plant Sale Sat Nov 14
10am - 1pm Sat 11/14…
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- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
167 reviews for San Francisco Botanical Garden
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
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7/31/2008
One of San Francisco Botanical Garden's Favorite Reviews What's This?
The plant sales held here are awesome! Local plants, resourceful sellers, and reasonable prices. There's also a book portion of the sales with used books priced starting at a dollar.
These sales are monthly. Check the calendar http://www.sfbotanical...
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The gardens and plants here make me dizzy and giddy with delight. I love the habitats which allow you to go around the world without leaving 415.
Just wish that the plants were better marked so I'd know what I'm gazing upon.
The library near the entrance is quite fabulous.
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I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city sometimes that I forget to look around and appreciate that I am lucky enough to live in paradise.
Ok, that was a lie. I have no job and no hustle and bustle in my life, but I liked the way that sounded. And for those of you who do hustle and bustle, the SF Botanical Gardens are an amazing place for some quality nature enjoyment.
The following is essential information to help you prepare for a trip to the Gardens:
1. It's FREE!!! 56 acres of beautiful free pleasure.
2. There is also a FREE tour through the gardens, which departs from the Bookstore at 1:30 pm daily.
3. In most of the gardens, you must stay on the path and not trample the plants. But there are large grass areas that you can walk on and sit for a glorious afternoon picnic.
4. The squirrels are not cute. They are creepy and vicious. Do not feed them. They've become comfortable around people and have no problem jumping on your leg and climbing up your body like a tree. No joke, the poor old woman in our tour group who fell victim to the evil squirrels did not enjoy this so much.
5. The sprinklers can be kind of erratic. Same poor old woman who was attacked by the squirrel learned this one the hard way.
6. There are many pathways and benches hidden amongst the trees. Wander to a secluded corner and lose yourself in a book for a few hours. May I suggest something creepy and suspenseful near the swamp area.
The Botanical Garden is just one more amazing place that makes me love San Francisco. Enjoy your escape from the hustle and bustle into the wilderness!
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This is my favorite place in San Francisco, so far. If the fog hasn't rolled in on the Sunset, then this is where to find me. I go to the Gardens to tan, read, relax, write letters home, walk around and get lost. I love how each section is divided based on the plants and flowers native to the area. I've seen Chile and Australia and I don't remember the rest because when I am there I feel like Alice In Wonderland and I don't want to read the signs. There is a huge area of Poison Oak, clearly marked. I thought that was pretty cool.
The best part? A squirrel, that I decided is named Parnassus, tried to steal my cell phone while his friend created a diversion. They really come right up to you and will eat your sandwich. I'm posting pictures.
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I love this place. I love walking and smelling the most gorgeous flowers and perhaps picking one without anyone seeing me so that while I walk I can sniff its glorious scent.
I like getting lost and meeting tiny squirrels who want me to hand feed them but in regards to the wildlife, I do abide by the garden rules, and do not feed them. Besides, I don't want rabies or squirrel fleas or swine squirrel flu.
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This garden is huge, gorgeous and free. If I get tired of the California native section, with its huge blue ceonothus (California lilac) and yellow fremontodendron bushes, there are a lot of other gorgeous gardens.
The Japanese garden in the botanic garden is lovely and FREE, compared with the nearby tea garden.
Botany 101 was a course requirement for college that was a total waste of my time.
My professor brought in a different plant every week for show and tell. We got to know each specific plant well, down to the little details like scientific names and interesting facts.
It's not surprising that the only plant I remember up until this day is Theobroma cacao -- the scientific name for chocolate.
Go figure.
SF Botanical Garden is a splendid oasis. Plant life from all over the world (China, Australia, Chile, etc) can be found here. Flowering trees, shrubbery and theme gardens (check out the Redwood trees in the California garden). You'll also see squirrels scurrying about and these lil guys are not afraid to come up to you. There are park benches scattered throughout, some cleverly hidden amongst trees, which are great for some quiet time.
There's ongoing construction near the pond (feed the ducks!) which is an eyesore.
If you're curious about the Triassic period and such, when you walk in the entrance (from 9th ave and Lincoln) turn left and you'll find yourself at the Ancient Garden. Walk on the wooden pathway and see plants from ancient times, as in from the dinosaur era! FYI: the plants in these section have GPS imbedded in them. Really! the sign says so.
For you aspiring botanists out there or serious plant lovers, this is a must-visit. There's a docent led tour everyday at 1:30pm. The best part? it's FREE.
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Can you say, "take your breath away beautiful?" This is the place. It is amazing. The whole golden gate park is amazing if you have the time to go trough it. The botanical garden shows you environmental landscapes from all over the world. I dont know how they do it with the climate in SF but they do. The gardens are filled with packs of squirrels that are soooo funny to watch!
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I've spent many summers here reading, taking naps, letting the dogs frolic, or sharing sangrias with friends. It's gorgeous here, and green grass always makes me smile. The trees are gorgeous, though I'd much rather surround myself with some redwoods in Muir Woods, but the California Garden has some lovely ones.
This place is one of the few reasons I love my hometown so much, even in the worst weather.
Except for that one squirrel that grabbed my blue scarf and proceeded to climb up a tree with it. It might still be there. If you see it, holla.
That squirrel can go to hell.
We were a bit disappointed to see that large portions of the garden were closed off by ugly orange gates. Not to mention the lack of botanical-ness (haha). Besides this, and the large collection of man eating geese, it was a nice quick stroll that I'm hoping will be blooming with pretty flowers next spring.
Check out the other places we visited in GG Park and some pics we took of an awesome little squirrel we met in the garden here http://www.sanfrancisc...
Comment from Heidi W. of
San Francisco Botanical Garden
9/21/2009
Pathways Project construction info:...
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From all the pictures on the website, it looks awesome! But for some reason when we came here it was more Botanical weeds than gardens... It's free, which is cool (especially since almost nothing else is free in Golden Gate Park), but I just didn't see anything that cool. For some reason there was a lack of colors and luster... maybe I should give it another try some other time.
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On our last day in San Francisco, we decided to spend a few hours at the SF Botanical Gardens, which we had noticed a few days earlier on our way to the Academy of Sciences. This was a fabulous decision on our part. I only wish I had known earlier how extraordinary this place is, so we could have arranged to spend more time here.
How amazing to find this foliaged wonderland in the middle of the city! Another reviewer used the word "sanctuary," and I completely agree. We were there on a beautiful summer day and loved every minute we had of wandering, exploring, discovering and just taking it all in. And it's all for free! How lucky you local folks are to have this wondrous back yard at your disposal. We'll definitely be making a return trip the next time we visit your beautiful city.
HIDDEN SANCTUARY IN A BUSTLING CITY
When I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I like to spend an afternoon here. There is something restorative about this place and I always discover a new and unusual plant. My favorite areas are:
Moon-viewing Garden
This garden is so much more peaceful than the tourist trap known as the Japanese Tea Garden. It is such a peaceful place to stroll and reflect.
Garden of Fragrance
I like the idea of a garden dedicated to fragrant plants. This area is in need of refurbishing but I still like to walk through here and touch the scented geraniums.
Redwood Nature Trail
A magical trail through 100-year-old redwoods that feels like a real forest in the middle of a city.
The entrance gates close around 4:30 p.m. and beware of the aggressive squirrels.
This place is pretty nice.. and huge! There's lots of grass for people to just lay around on and hang out.
I thought there would be more to it but for what it's worth (free admission) it's a great place to check out and walk around in.
Very peaceful and relaxing way to just soak up the sun.
There were lots of turtles in the pond and these things in the water (I'm sure they were fish) that would stick out of the water and twirl their fins.. very intriguing as we really wanted a closer look but couldn't really see them still. The water must be that shallow??
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This place is amazing! Lots of nooks and crannies to get lost in! Jsut watch out for the not so shy, vicious squirrels!
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How is it that so many of us, who spend so much time in this neighborhood, have NO IDEA such a wonderful garden is hiding just inside the park?
In the back of my mind, I knew it existed, but I'd never really bothered to go visit until a few months ago, when I finally stopped by.
Now every time the weather's decent, I take my lunch to the park. My favorite spot is a sunny bench next to a pond filled with water lilies... a lot of times there's a beautiful white bird (maybe an egret) that hangs out in the pond. I like to think of him as my lunch buddy.
It's the perfect place to get away from work for a little bit for some much-needed relaxation. :-)
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I never new about this place but we pass by after the tea garden and thought why not. Its free and a good place to walk off lunch. Overall there is something in bloom here year around and you can see everyone enjoys the gardens since they are well maintain and plus the lawns they have are perfect just to relax and sun yourself. Its a little escape from the busy of the city. One thing for sure I never seen so many squirrels in my life all in one place. Its a clan and everywhere you turn you would find one. They are not afraid of people either, coming real up close to you. Probably thinking you had food for them and they are more than willing to pose for pictures. You can tell they are well feed since all of them are all plump and have bushy tails. I must say if I was a squirrel I would want to live here too, its heaven. I would like to come back in the spring when everything is in bloom and check out all the flowers. Great place for a walk.
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The quiet charm of this big garden unfurls as you wander. Little paths, hidden places, sanctuaries provided by towering trees, benches dotting the grounds. All of these things make it the perfect place to gather your thoughts, to get away from it all, to people watch, to bird watch - this past Saturday we even turtle watched.
Why do they all climb on the same rock, stretch their little goofy necks and hold their heads up in the same direction?
Do turtles wonder about us?
I wonder.
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Great gardens, with areas with plants with regions of origin, prehistoric plants etc. try to be here at 1:30 for the do cit tour they know whats in bloom! Also I found a great birthday gift for my mom at the gift shop! Oh! and it is easy to get to, and itsFREE!!!!!
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A walk through here is very relaxing and educational, as all the bushes and trees are labeled with both common and scientific names. The whole park seems so far removed from the loud, hectic rush that is SF. And omg, the ducks and geese in the ponds here are sooooooo cuuuute!! My husband and I make a point of going to see them every now and then, even though we now live in Millbrae. If you go, keep in mind that they love strawberries in addition to the usual bread and crackers.
***Update: There is now a sign by the pond which reads: "Please do not feed the geese. Their feces have become a health and safety hazard to our visitors." Also, there were no geese in sight today. Boo.***
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So free!
Services and amenities:
Lovely gift shop, full of personality
A library! - the meadow by the library is tranquil and charming
Docent tours at the main entrance
Picnicking and "red rover" opportunities
My favorite area is the redwood dell.
It is true that if you value your life you should not feed the squirrels.
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Came here after stepping into the Japanese Tea Garden..
Squirrels are awfully friendly here..
BlueJays will fly by and eat nuts and fruits off your hands if you hold it out
Plenty of different flowers and trees
And a big plastic flower at the entrance~
Come down on a nice day, it'll be worth your time....only if you like looking at plants...
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One of my favorite places in S.F. and unbelievably it is still free. This is a great place to take a walk and completely relax and you go through the foliage of different parts of the world. Lush tropical areas and great big plains with cacti - this place has it all.
A much better place to take tourists than Fisherman's Wharf and the other tired overpriced stuff.
Love the botanical gardens. I bring everyone who is visiting me in the city here. Maybe because it's so close to my house, I can walk here and well it's FREE!
It took me 2 times being here before I actually saw everything. I always end up taking a million pictures because everything is so beautiful and very well kept. You can tell lots of love goes into the gardens. I could seriously just hang out here all day and just read a book in the sun.
If you are in SF this place is a must see.
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Thank you to the guy who works there who was kind enough to see me do the urgent pee pee dance and pointed me in the direction of the restroom...oh and the garden here is nice and its free! Free is always good..and the bathroom was clean. LOL
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Want to get away from it all? The fast cars, loud trains, screaming children or just about anything? Well come on down to the Arboretum and get lost in the many paths and hidden knolls.
The Arboretum is one of those special places in San Francisco where all time stands still for you to enjoy a small quiet picnic and an afternoon of reading to yourself in the sun (or more likely, the fog).
This is a place where you can come with a large group and have a party picnic, with the frisbee or come for quiet solitude. Obviously it is always much more crowded on the weekends, but I have always been able to find a place to sit by myself when I needed it. Aside from being a nice place to spend some quality "me" time, the Arboretum is home to many rare and beautiful plants, and an informative plant library.
Technically this place closes around 5PM, but any good San Francisco knows that it is no challenge to slip through those bars and enjoy the sweeping lawns all by yourself or with friends.
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Stunningly beautiful, and utterly inspiring - even on a cold and foggy summer's day. A walk through the gardens provides nourishment for the spirit, and fortifies a love for all that is beautiful in this world!
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Like most reviewers...I think this place is great.
Been living here for years and never knew this existed. The garden is peaceful with a huge variety of plants and species. We came here early to beat the crowd and to find street parking. This place is free, and accepts donations (well deserved). Would definitely come again.
two words
beautiful and quiet
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Rockin'. Free. Close.
The place to visit when you need a shot of green to repair, reenergize and reboot your Chi. I have seen Blue Herons, our favorite turtles, California Quail (and Quib in tow) and even a Red Fox frolicking in this little slice of Wonderland.
The Docent tours are under-rated as a means to learn about the diversity of this place.
The natural inclination is for people to flock to the Tea Garden... but that's sort of like paying a high cover to get into that over-hyped club when the rollickin one is just round the corner for those in the know.
It's free...
it's pretty...
it takes my breath away.
*sigh
when you have the time...
go there and find out for yourself.
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Without a doubt, this is my favorite place in San Francisco. It's gorgeous! I could never get sick of coming here.
I love this garden--it's full of funny-looking plants and berries! Check out my pictures for a few of our sights. The animals here are very brave--I was able sit up right next to the ducks, and take a little video of a cute squirrel eating stuff on a branch. We also spotted a group of people having a picnic amidst flocks of geese.
I do wish there was some sun on this day--San Francisco is always so damn cold and cloudy. It was still pretty enough, however, for a couple to get married here!
There is free parking reasonably close by, and free entrance (unlike at the Japanese Tea Garden, which is directly across from here).
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I adore the arboretum! My husband and I used to live at Lincoln and 4th, so we used to walk down here all the time. Now that we're living up in Marin, we hadn't been in ages...but it was just a lovely in the almost-winter as it is the rest of the year! Meandering paths, always a little hidden vista just around the corner.
Okay, yes the squirrels are seriously bold, but we saw a pheasant! I've never seen one in person - it was digging up the roots of some plant and just ignored us, as we happened upon it not 2 feet away. Beautiful!
I can't wait to come back when the magnolias are in bloom!
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Easily my favorite part of Golden Gate Park, the Strybing is a serene oasis. It's large enough that it can accommodate many people without feeling crowded and it's the best place to watch the changing seasons. And it's free.
Food is allowed so you could have a picnic there or just bring in coffee & something sweet from Arizmendi Bakery and enjoy it inside. My favorite spots are the peaceful Japanese area with its stone lanterns, the bamboo forest, the pretty new camellia forest, primitive garden, Chinese redwood trees, and the dark redwood grove. There's a tree in there with bark that smells like vanilla near the Chinese redwoods.
The squirrels inside are the boldest I've ever met since they're used to being fed by humans. They run up to you and then stand up with their paws extended for treats. There are certain spots where you're sure to find cute little squirrels. Technically, you're not supposed to feed them. You'll probably be able to see quail especially during the spring time when the chicks are born. Once, we even spotted the fox.
You might run into a guitarist or flutist and on the weekends, you're likely to run into groups practicing tai chi. The library has a nice collection of books on Golden Gate Park, plants, and gardening. There's a tiny gift shop at the entrance closest to Lincoln along 9th.
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This is quite possibly the perfect place to engage in no-pressure, flirtatious banter with a cute boy from high school.
Note: not *IN* high school, FROM high school! :P
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i've been here twice and absolutely loved it both times. how could i not? it smells amazing and it's FREE! you walk around and get lost in a park-full of beautiful flowers, trees, and plants. and i mean it when i say you can get "lost". it literally took us half an hour to find our way to an exit, but no complaints here.
my favorite "plants" were the cacti. they had a whole area of various cacti that all looked awesome. ps, i just love saying "cacti". i love going to the pond and watching all the little turtles climb on top of each other on a giant rock. i love watching the blue jays hopping around and the squirrels eating nuts. it's just a great place to enjoy, whether it be with that special someone, or by yourself. check it out if you havent gone.
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While I appreciate the view from Dolores Park and think it rightfully deserves 5 stars, I've been reluctant to visit it lately. It's like an American Apparel love fest out there.
On a nice day, it's a blanket strewn oasis of handle-bar moustaches. Everywhere I walk, I catch whiffs of "see how cool I am with my brown-bagged PBR" everywhere.
Eugh.
I'm kinda over it.
So on gorgeous afternoons when I know Dolores is packed, I like to go to Golden Gate Park instead (which essentially is my one true love) - and visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
I lose myself in the richness of green and beauty.
I can't help but smile at children being pushed in strollers, and the elderly couple holding hands on the bench, as I catch whiffs of fresh exquisite flowers everywhere.
I smile at the diversity of the plants and people.
An authentic and untouched part of San Francisco.
It also happens to be one of my favorite photo-op spots. The camera never lies, and back-lit by the good energy of this garden - you'll be glowing with life.
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This Garden is magnificent. Especially nice if you are walking and talking with a gorgeous girl. One from high school. Not -IN- high school, -FROM- high school.
*assentful nod*
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No matter the occasion or need, Strybing Arboretum is perfect. Third-grade field trip to learn about the native plants of California? Check. Picnic with old family friends? Check. Desire to feel like you're living with the dinosaurs? Check. Want to find some turtles? Check. Calm place to walk while talking with a new acquaintance? Check. Place to get lost without any danger of remaining so? Check.
See? It's perfect. Don't believe me? Go there and see for yourself.
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