San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco Botanical Garden 
1199 9th Ave 
San Francisco –  CA –  94122 
 Phone:  (415) 661-1316 
Sea Cliff 
 
Welcome to San Francisco Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse gardens in the world. The Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both …Learn more about San Francisco Botanical Garden, Opens a popupSpecialtiesWelcome to San Francisco Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse gardens in the world. The Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, showcasing over 8,500 different kinds of plants from around the world.HistoryEstablished in 1940.The development of Golden Gate Park, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden was due largely to John McLaren’s vision, skill, and long lifespan.McLaren chose the site for the present Garden in 1889, but the bond issue to establish the arboretum failed. In 1926 the Garden became a reality with start up funding from Helene Strybing, the prosperous widow of a San Francisco merchant. John McLaren hired Eric Walther as a gardener in 1918. Walther took the initiative of becoming a student of botanist Alice Eastwood, and by 1924 McLaren gave Walther the responsibility for compiling the plant list included in the Golden Gate Park’s annual report. In 1937 Walther was placed in charge of the Garden and together he and McLaren developed the original plan. Today the Garden remains FREE for San Francisco City and County residents with proof of residency, SF Botanical Garden Society Members and is FREE to all visitors daily 7:30am – 9am as well as all day on the second Tuesday of every month.Meet the Manager