Beautiful and Peaceful Gardens To Escape to in San Francisco

Head over to the west side of the city and visit Golden Gate Park for a chance to explore the Japanese Tea Garden. Decorated with bridges, pagodas, koi ponds, bonsai trees, cherry blossom, Buddha statues and native Japanese plants, this spot is the picture of tranquility. There’s also a teahouse on-site offering authentic green tea and light snacks so you can refuel after a visit.

The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is a tropical wonderland that has captivated thousands of guests from all over the world since its opening in 1878. The opulent Victorian building has a rich history and is one of the oldest public wood and glass conservatories in North America. Comprising five individual galleries, each one showcasing unique ecosystems from across the globe, the conservatory provides an experience that feels like a brief jaunt to the tropics, without leaving home.

If you’ve always wanted to see tulip season in the Netherlands, an alternative is to schedule a visit to the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden during spring. The garden, which is situated in the Golden Gate Park beneath an authentic Dutch windmill (once used to pump water to plants in the park), features flowers that bloom in red, pink, orange and yellow clusters. Grab a spot at Park Chalet Garden Restaurant for an al fresco meal with a view.

More than 9,000 plant varieties are flourishing at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. The large, sprawling space includes the Succulent Garden, the Moon Viewing Garden, the Ancient Plant Garden and the Garden of Fragrance, which contains only heavily scented flowers. Its Walk on the WILD Flower Side, a monthly educational guided tour of the seasonal flowers in the garden, kicks off in April and is worth joining.

This quiet section of Golden Gate Park is typically devoid of tourists and is the perfect place to have an afternoon read (when it isn’t being used as a wedding location). The flowers in the area are all mentioned in Shakespeare plays, and the chart within the garden will allow you to identify the varieties that are in bloom.

This place is beautiful amid the chaos of the Financial District. As you walk into the park, the soothing sound of the waterfall smothers all distractions and the air seems so much cleaner and fresher. Grab a Beard Papa pastry puff from across the street and nibble it as you wander through the hedge maze, or have a lazy morning drinking Blue Bottle Coffee and soaking up some sun on the grass. It is the perfect pit stop to catch some rest before continuing your tour of the city and its surroundings.

Only a block from the most crooked street in the world, Fay Park is an inconspicuous gem in Russian Hill. The park has three small terraces connected by stone-lined paths, and at the focal point are wooden gazebos, creating a fairytale aesthetic in the middle of San Francisco. Its gently sloping location provides unparalleled views of the bay and a retreat from the busy city.

A hidden jewel in the Financial District, 1 Kearny Street is a privately owned public space that is open to the general population during business hours. If you take the elevator to the 11th floor you will reach a deck that not only serves as a garden but also provides stunning views over the city. The building boasts some striking architectural features and is a fantastic lunchtime spot.

The Redwood Park at the Transamerica Pyramid Center is wholly unexpected and instantly relaxing. From the fountain in the center of the park to the tall, graceful redwoods straight from the Santa Cruz area, this peaceful nook will help you channel serenity any time you need it.