University of California Botanical Garden — Attraction in San Francisco

A Magical Day at the Berkeley Botanical Garden

Our family recently spent a delightful day at the Berkeley Botanical Garden, and it was an experience to remember! Nestled in the picturesque hills of Berkeley, this garden is a true haven for nature lovers and families alike.

Exploring the Gardens: From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by the diverse array of plants and beautifully curated landscapes. Each section of the garden offered something unique, from the lush redwoods of the California section to the vibrant blooms of the Asian garden. Our little one was particularly fascinated by the colorful flowers and the variety of textures and shapes.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The garden is incredibly family-friendly, with wide, stroller-accessible paths and plenty of shaded areas to rest. We appreciated the well-placed benches where we could take a break and enjoy the serene surroundings. The staff were welcoming and informative, providing insights into the various plants and their origins.

Highlights: The Redwood Grove: Walking through the towering redwoods felt like stepping into another world. The cool, shaded environment was perfect for a relaxing stroll with our baby. The Children's Garden: A delightful spot with interactive displays and kid-friendly plants. Our baby enjoyed the sensory garden, designed to engage young explorers. The Viewpoints: Several lookout points offered breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, making for some fantastic family photos.

A Perfect Family Outing: The Berkeley Botanical Garden is not just a feast for the eyes but also a tranquil retreat that provided us with some much-needed family time. We loved the opportunity to teach our child about nature and spend a day unplugged from the hustle and bustle.

We highly recommend the Berkeley Botanical Garden for a day of exploration, learning, and bonding. Whether you're a plant enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful place to enjoy with your family, this garden is a gem...

When we think of botanical gardens, we think of a small garden. Not this place, no sir, this place is MASSIVE and i mean MASSIVE! When you first get to the parking lot, you'll have to pay so don't forget to pay for enough hours equal to the amount you are staying for! When you first enter you have the gift shop/restrooms to your left This garden is a photographer's dream, they have a little bit of everything! Make sure you grab a map because it'll help you a lot! So the garden is split into several different sections. They have Mediterranean, Africa, desert, Asia, Australia, Mexico, California. They have multiple paths going in and out in each section and into main paths. Now for weather, make sure you come when it's not too hot because most of the gardens will not offer too much shade with the exception of Asia. The best gardens in my opinion is Asia, Africa, desert, Mediterranean, Australia, California and then Mexico. Asia has a koi pond and other Asian trees that protect you from the sunlight. Africa has the rose gardens and beautiful vibrant flowers. The other gardens I did not spend too much time because I was looking for something interesting for photos. Also don't forget to check out the water shed, it's this little cool area surrounded by wooden walls. Great photo area! This garden you can easily spend 3 plus hours here! After you are done, there's a nice surprise waiting for you! The redwood grove by the parking lot which needs a access code to enter which is printed on your receipt! This place is kind of like the redwood park in the Oakland hills or Muir woods. The best part about this is that the weather in here is about 10 to 15 degrees colder so if you do come on shot day, relax here! It has a outdoor auditorium where you can relax and take shelter from the heat and have a little nice lunch!

Even though this place is hidden all the way in the Berkeley hills, it is well worth the...

Nestled in the hillside of Berkeley this botanical garden is a true paradise. The never ending expanse of tall green trees, luscious plants and beautiful scenic views surely soothes one's senses.

The garden has a rich collection of plants from every continent /geographical region of the world. Our 5 year old was in awe to see how bananas grow in big bunches on the beautiful banana plants in the tropics area of the garden. We enjoyed walking the beautiful trails in the garden and a our little girl loved running around the big landscape and seeing beautiful fauna like butterflies,dragon flies and bees.

The do not miss attractions at the garden are:

Garden of Old Roses- from this spot you can have gorgeous views of the Berkeley Marina and the Golden Gate bridge in the background.

Mather Redwood Grove- a visit here just brings a sense of calm and tranquility and you just become one with nature among the the tall redwood trees. The entry to this is next to the parking lot. Many first timers miss this is not in the garden area.

Glasshouses- a must see display of a wide variety of cacti, ferns and orchids.

The first Wednesday of the month is a free day at the garden. There are ample $1 per hour parking spaces right across the garden. The garden has lot of benches and seating areas around too where you can sit down and take a breather or eat food with friends and family.

If you want to spend time in the green lap of mother nature and energize yourself then this the place to be - University of California Botanical Gardens...