SF Botanical Garden San Francisco

An urban paradise

Nadine from San Francisco

About me Some of my most vivid memories are quintessentially San Franciscan. Learning how to roller-skate down the Hayes Street hill, and eventually learning how to brake. My first fight with Mom was because she wouldn't let me see the Sex Pistols at Winterland. Getting to the public library by navigating my way through a sea of Dead Heads in front of what's now the Bill Graham Auditorium. N...
""SF Botanical Garden" is an open secret in San Francisco. It's easy to walk right by it, this urban oasis is one of the most diverse and interesting..."

SF Botanical Garden is an open secret in the city. It's snuggled on the northern edge of Golden Gate Park near 9th Avenue at Lincoln Blvd. It's easy to walk right by it in the rush to the more popular museums like the DeYoung or Academy of Sciences.

Walking the grounds is peaceful and inspiring. It's one of the few places that is free for locals but the low admission fee is worth it if you're visiting and interested in native wild and plant-life in San Francisco. The redwood grove is very nice. Docent tours are available to lead you through the gardens or on a guided bird tour.

This urban oasis is one of the most diverse and interesting gardens in the world. It's a great place to get lost for a day and leave the hustle and bustle behind.

On the first and third Sundays you can find Story Time and Family Garden Walk starting at 10:30.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

San Francisco Spotter Nadine

About me Some of my most vivid memories are quintessentially San Franciscan. Learning how to roller-skate down the Hayes Street hill, and eventually learning how to brake. My first fight with Mom was because she wouldn't let me see the Sex Pistols at Winterland. Getting to the public library by navigating my way through a sea of Dead Heads in front of what's now the Bill Graham Auditorium. Nearly falling off the Golden Gate Bridge while biking across too fast on a very wet and foggy morning. My city has a both a buzz and a hum. That's me too. A little intensity is great when...

About this spot

9th Ave at Lincoln Way

Entrance from:

US$

4

Dec 10, 2025

Our San Francisco City Guide

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Critical Mass

Better together

"Critical Mass" San Francisco is lots of fun and serious for some. Everyone is invited! No one is in charge! Body paint, optional.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 13, 2025

City Arts & Lectures

At the Nourse Theater

San Francisco loves City Arts and Lectures! And, I love it too. Now I can go to the Nourse Theater and enjoy inspiring speakers and discussions.

002-building
Art & culture
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 12, 2025

Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe

Hits the spot!

Thanks to "Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe" in San Francisco, I can now find some of my favorite comfort food including the piroshki any time I want!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 12, 2025

Pug Sunday

Fun for dogs and humans

"Pug Sunday" in San Francisco is on the first Sunday of every month. Four-legged and two-legged creatures alike welcome the new month at Altaza Park.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sasha

Sommer

Dec 10, 2025

SF Symphony

Something old, something new

The Louise M Davies Symphony Hall is a beautiful space of culture and concerts. There's always something and fresh to enjoy by the SF Symphony here!

029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Oracle Park

Baseball by the bay

"Oracle Park" in San Francisco is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America. With panoramic views of the bay, it's uniquely San Franciscan...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Swensen's Ice Cream

Same corner since '48

"Swensen's Ice Cream" in San Francisco hasn't changed since 1948. It's the chain's first store and I sill buy bulk ice cream here when I'm in the area...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Ocean Aquarium

Hidden fish store

"Ocean Aquarium" in San Francisco is a beautiful fish & aquarium store on the most unremarkable side alleyway you can think of. So glad we found it...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Victoria Pastry Co.

All the major food groups

"Victoria Pastry Co." has prompted me to travel across San Francisco solely to enjoy one of its famed cannolis. Walking into it is a test of self-control.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Liguria Bakery

A little Italy in SF

The focaccia at "Liguria Bakery" brings Italy to San Francisco. The place feels so familiar for locals. Everyone has a story about the first time they tried.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Golden Boy Pizza

A gold rush

"Golden Boy Pizza" is far and away the best pizza place in San Francisco. I know this is a bold claim, but everything about it is perfection...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

SOMArts

Some arts

"SOMArts" is a perfect example of what I enjoy about San Francisco. It's an old warehouse that's a boundary-pushing hotspot for local art & music...

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

158 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Map
San Francisco app Home

Heading to San Francisco?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

158 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Relaxing

Our team loves San Francisco

Get to know our other Spotters from San Francisco

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
64
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters