Golden Gate Park is a large park in San Francisco filled with gardens, ponds and impressive buildings that house some of the city’s most important museums, such as the California Academy of Sciences or the De Young Museum. At the entrance to the park is the oldest surviving building in Golden Gate Park: the Conservatory of Flowers.
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Conservatory of Flowers History
The Conservatory of Flowers is a botanical garden that houses rare and exotic plants from various parts of the world. This large green collection is housed inside a building built in 1879, the oldest in the park. The Victorian-style building is also the oldest wood-and-glass conservatory in the United States. In 1971 it was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In its five galleries, you can find five different ecosystems, from the tropical forests of Sumatra to the rainforests of Ecuador. As you walk along the path that leads you to explore the different parts of this garden, you will learn not only about the beauty and diversity of the plants found in these ecosystems, but also about their fragility. Preserving, respecting and caring for them therefore becomes an obligation for anyone who cares about our planet.
Directions
The Conservatory of Flowers is located at 100 John F Kennedy Drive inside Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
If you are driving, remember that the streets surrounding the garden, John F. Kennedy Drive to the south and Conservatory Drive to the north, east and west, are pedestrian only. You may find some parking spaces on Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive, both within walking distance of the Conservatory of Flowers. The most convenient paid parking to the garden, about a 10-minute walk away, is the Music Concourse Garage with entrance from Fulton Street and 10th Avenue.
If you are on a bike, you can leave it in the designated spaces provided in the Conservatory of Flowers: near Dahlia Garden or at the restrooms on Conservatory Drive West.
The best public transportation routes to the garden are the N-Judah and the 5 line. Remember, too, that at weekends you have the option of taking the Golden Gate Park Shuttle, the free bus that runs all around the park to the main attractions that this huge green space has to offer: the California Academy of Sciences, the De Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, and of course also the Conservatory of Flowers.
A few insights to better navigate your way around the city:
Hours, Tickets and Free Day
The Conservatory of Flowers is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Last admission allowed is at 4:00 pm. The garden also remains open on Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day, while it is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, as well as January 1. On December 24 it closes at 2:00 pm instead of 4:30 pm.
Tickets can be purchased either online or directly at the door.
Ticket cost is:
- $10 for adults
- $7 for children between the ages of 12 and 17, the over-65s and students
- $3 for children between 5 and 11 years old.
The garden is free for children under 4 years old. San Francisco residents get a discount on admission.
If you are in San Francisco on the first Tuesday of the month, take advantage because admission to the garden is free for anyone who wants to enjoy a few hours in this green paradise.
Visit the Conservatory of Flowers
The historic building that houses the greenhouses of this botanical garden is one of the most photographed in San Francisco and is actually particularly impressive as it takes you back in time. The structure is also visible simply from the outside, so a photo is a must.
Whether you’re a botanist, a simple lover of rare plants, or even if you don’t know what it’s like to have green fingers, entering and strolling through this very well-maintained place will take you to another era and is a good way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco for a few hours and rejuvenate.
The Conservatory of Flowers is divided into several areas:
- the Palm Terrace;
- at the front on either side of the building are the Terrace Lawn West and the Terrace Lawn East;
- the Vestibule, the entrance to the main building;
- Lowland Tropics, the tropical plant area of the lowland areas;
- Potted Plants;
- the West Gallery;
- Highland Tropics, the area of tropical plants found in higher elevation territories;
- Aquatics;
- The Lily Pad, an area outside the main building that houses water lilies;
- The Orchid Pavillion, an area detached from the main building and probably a favorite of the many visitors who walk through the garden’s entrance each year.
Where to Stay in the Area
The Golden Gate Park area is heavily visited during the day because of the many attractions it offers. However, if you are looking for where to stay, I recommend reading our article on where to stay in San Francisco to choose a safe and well-connected neighborhood where you can spend your nights in the city.
Where to stay in San Francisco
