SF Bot, 1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, US

The San Francisco Botanical Gardens, formerly called the Strybing Arboretum, is a major attraction of the city's expansive Golden Gate Park. This beautifully landscaped 55 acre park within a park is home to over 8,000 different species of flora creatively organized into geographical zones that span the whole world. For nature lovers, the S.F. Botanical Gardens offers a full day of delights and the duck and turtle pond at its center is one of the most scenic places in the entire city for a picnic.Parking and public transportation at the San Francisco Botanical GardensHourly parking is available at the Music Concourse Garage, just a couple minutes walk from the gardens, and it is relatively expensive. A much better option is to take the Muni Metro line's N-Judah train from downtown S.F. It drops you on the corner of 9th and Irving and just a block from the entrance.Best and worst times to go to the San Francisco Botanical GardensCalifornia native plants reach their full bloom in April and May, and this is the best time of the year to visit in order to see the Golden State at its colorful best. But summer visitors will also be impressed by the blooming happening in the perennial garden while winter visitors are in for a natural show when the garden's huge collection of magnolia trees come into flower.Admission to the San Francisco Botanical GardensFree until just a couple years ago, the gardens now charge around $7 to enter for adults and $5 for seniors and students. San Francisco residents and children under 4 enter for free.Must see/do at the San Francisco Botanical GardensOriginally created as an aboretum, the S.F. Botanical Gardens has an extensive collection of conifers, including a majestic stand of coastal redwood trees, the tallest trees on earth. The Andean cloud forest section feels other-worldy with its tropical colored passionflowers and fuschias. Over in the Australia Garden, the incredible biodiversity of the land down under comes to life in the Northern California fog and sun.Other Places to Visit Near the San Francisco Botanical GardensThe Japanese Tea Gardens are located just around the corner from the S.F. Botanical Gardens and is well worth visiting for a cup of tea over the koi ponds. The California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, both of which are major S.F. attractions, are also just minutes away.Inside Tip for VisitorsFree tours are available (with the price of admission) every day at 1:30 p.m. by the main gate. On the first Sunday of each month a special free bird walk also takes place here at 8 a.m.Authors Bio: Ocean Malandra was born and raised in San Francisco. He is a widely published travel writer and journalist that can be followed at @OceanMalandra.

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