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San Francisco Botanical Garden | Introduction
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is located within Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and is renowned as one of the most worth-visiting botanical gardens in California. It houses over 8,000 plant species from around the world, including rare and endangered species, spread across 55 acres and several themed gardens. This botanical garden serves educational, conservation, and recreational purposes. Detailed information about the plant species for each season, along with a map, can be found on the official website's map page.
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Transportation
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is located in Golden Gate Park and is easily accessible by public transportation, including Muni routes 44, 28, 29, 7, 6, and 43, as well as other free buses to Golden Gate Park. Detailed transportation information can be found at the official websiteCheck the website for updated information. If you are driving, the closest parking in Golden Gate Park to the Arboretum is on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and there is a Music Concourse Garage parking lot nearby.
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Ticket Information
The botanical garden opens daily at 7:30 AM. During spring and summer, the entry hours extend until 6 PM, while in autumn and winter, it closes at 5 PM. Ticket prices vary depending on the season and whether it's a weekday or holiday. Adult admission ranges from $9 to $28. For teenagers (12-17 years old) and seniors (65 years and older), the price is $7. Children (5-11 years old) are charged $3, and those aged 4 and under enter for free. Family tickets, which include 2 adults and all children under 17, are priced between $27 and $31. San Francisco residents can enter for free upon presenting valid identification.
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Overview
The botanical garden is divided into several areas, each showcasing species from different regions. These include the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest, primarily featuring tropical and subtropical plants; the California Native Garden, which displays the native plant ecology of California; the Ancient Plant Garden, with plants dating back to the Devonian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods; the Andean Cloud Forest, focusing on plants from the Andes Mountains; and the Moon Viewing Garden, designed in a Japanese style.
Upon entering the garden, you'll first pass through a large grassy area. Here, you'll find many residents enjoying picnics in the botanical garden, especially on weekends and holidays, as they relax amidst nature.
During different seasons, the highlights of the San Francisco Botanical Garden change. Spring is the best time to focus on the California Native Garden. Summer is ideal for viewing the redwood forest. In autumn, the emphasis shifts to the species from Central and South America in the Andean Cloud Forest area. Winter is the season for magnolia blooms. Each season offers its unique scenery.
Ascending further, we reach the redwood forest, a year-round marvel. Walking through the redwood forest, you can look up at the towering trees, admire wildflowers, and observe local insects and birds. The redwood forest, evergreen throughout the year, is particularly popular in summer.
We particularly enjoy visiting in winter to see the magnolias, usually between January and March. During this time, the blossoming magnolias cover the botanical garden in shades of pink and white . When we visited in February, magnolias from various origins were gradually blooming. The botanical garden also specially plans a magnolia tour route during this season. Scanning the QR codes along the route provides explanations, offering a great opportunity to learn about magnolias.
Regardless of the season, for those seeking tranquility and serenity, the Moon Viewing Garden, filled with lush Japanese plants and stone pagodas, is always a spot where people linger. This oasis might be the most peaceful place in all of San Francisco.
Further reading
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