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My memory isn't what it used to be. I thought the rose garden had more flowers. The plants were there but just that not many flowers.
Golden Gate Park has a ton of gardens to look at. In the area of the museums there's certainly a few that are interesting. The Rose Garden is one of these. A lot of cool flowers. You can see a lot in bloom depending on the time of year. As made obvious by the name, there's a lot of roses in this garden. It's located close to the De Young Museum. This is a nice compliment on a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden, which is also pretty close to get to. Easy to make a visit when younger already here looking at something else. This is one of the few things here where admission is all free, so that's one good thing. Certainly anyone who likes roses should come here. It's best when these are in bloom, which is spring. There's lots however that you can see all year, as there's even some roses to check out when it's winter.
Made a visit to the rose garden at Golden Gate Park today and the roses were beautiful even though many of them were a little past their lifetimes. There were still lots that were beautiful. Noticed that most of them had no or very little scent, so that was a bit disappointing, but they were still very pretty. Would definitely recommend a visit if you love flowers!
** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Like any rose garden, obviously the appeal depends on what time of year you come here. For instance, coming here during the holidays would be pointless because there would be bare flower beds and naked branches. Now that could be your thing as you might be one of those esoteric types who see beauty in everything. Yeah, that's not me. I'm the instant gratification, Instagrammable type who needs to be here during the full bloom of the garden. If you're as superficial as me, come here in May through July. It's pretty gorgeous as the pastel-hued colors run riot over sixty beds as well as all kinds of climbing roses on a latticed fence. It all has the civilized air of a Merchant Ivory production with apparently a pruning demonstration done in January to show how the well-monied can replicate the floral displays on their own private grounds. An adjacent redwood grove provides a nice bucolic complement, though I find it ironic how roller skaters with boom boxes hover nearby to democratize the atmosphere. RELATED - Looking to meditate in a garden? Here's a collection of gardens I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/37K9I3L
This time of year is amazing for the rose garden. There's no fee to enter, making it easily accessible any time you're at golden gate park. For the nature newbie, roses don't bloom all year, so your experience will depend on when you visit the garden. Currently, all the roses are spectacularly in bloom. This place is perfect for (quite literally) taking the time to stop and smell the roses.
Absolutely beautiful rose garden inside of Golden Gate Park. It's very insane how this garden is completely free all because it seems to be something that you should pay for in the Conservatory of Flowers or Botanical Garden in the park since all the other amenities have an entrance fee. There are so many different kinds of flower varieties here. Although the size of the rose garden may not be as big as the San Jose one, I would arguably say that there are more varieties here. Also, because its behind the de Young museum, there is not a whole ton of people here even on the weekends. Lots of bench seating too with a lot of shady regions. Definitely would recommend if you are in the Golden Gate Park!
Found along a walk path between JFK and Fulton at Presidio, the bulk of the Rose Garden is to be found along the western side of the path. To the east lies a lovely redwood grove. Stenciled in white at either entrance to the path are the words: no bicycles, no skating. This stops no one, so be prepared--especially if you have mobility challenges--to have folk whizzing by as you make your way along the foot path. Even when roses are not in bloom, it can be relaxing to sit on a bench or on the lawn and just take in the surroundings. Sometimes I like to sit on one of the massive tree trunks placed between the garden and the grove and gaze at the redwoods. Dogs are meant to be on leads in this area of Golden Gate Park.
Gigantic Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco... I had a list of places that I wanted to go to in San Francisco and this Rose Garden was one of them. I appreciate roses because they're not easy to grow - they need special fertilizer and pruning techniques... Roses have a unique fragrance and are known for their thorns. They come in many different colors and varieties. This garden contains many! Check out my photo of the Rose with variegated petals - wow! I was so happy to stroll up, down, and through the paths. We didn't get to the end of the garden because we were tired and hungry! We will have to visit again soon!
Another example of what makes SF so special! What a gorgeous garden--an actual escape from the fast paced urban environment we live in and and call home. People were reading. People were meditating. People were viewing. Two toddlers chased each other through the gardens. Here's a bit of info: https://goldengatepark.com/rose-garden.html
Golden Gate Park never ceases to amaze me, there are so many beautiful gardens, small lakes, and greenery to behold. The Japanese Garden gets all the attention but the rose garden is very impressive as well and it's free. There are around 60 rose beds in all different colors and styles with the peak bloom time late May-July. Since it's San Francisco a lot of the time the garden can be foggy which doesn't make for as great of rose pictures compared to a sunny background (more worth noting if coming specifically for photos) but that's just San Francisco. This rose garden is a thoroughfare from the park to the Fulton and Park Presidio streets. It's a bit louder because it's near a busy street which doesn't bother me but might slightly disappoint some people that are envisioning a tranquil rose garden away from it all like the Oakland or Berkeley ones. Compared to other rose gardens in the Bay Area I love how this is in Golden Gate Park with so many other things to do nearby like the De Young, Stow Lake, Rainbow Waterfall, and the Japanese Garden but on the other hand, it seems to have a much shorter bloom season than all others which is probably due to the foggy climate.
Fact: Golden Gate Park is 20% larger than New York's Central Park. Fact: I've never been to the Rose Garden and I've probably passed by this place hundreds of times over the years. It's true, this is the route I take when dropping-off and picking-up Wifey at work. Fact: There are over 100 species of roses, and they can live for a very long time. The oldest living rose is believed to be over a thousand years old in the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany. But you won't have to go to Germany to see a bunch of beautiful flowers if you visit Golden Park. Located on John F. Kennedy Drive behind the de Young Museum, the Rose Garden is a strip of land with rows and rows of different types of roses with all the colors of the rainbow. It even has a mini Redwood Grove on the side that looks like a perfect place for kids to go play hide-and-seek. At least that's what comes to my mind as I wandered off into that patch of land under the shade of them giant trees. But the roses are definitely the star here as it's a wonderful place for locals and tourists to take photos, marvel at the different species or be amazed by the many hues and colors as they bloom towards the ray of the sun. The next time you're in this area, go ahead and stop to smell the roses. You'll be glad you did.
I remember having picnics in Golden Gate Park and strolling through the Rose Garden in my childhood. This is a nice spot to lay out a blanket to read books, relax, or even paint. To enjoy the roses at full bloom, the best time to visit the Rose Garden would be late spring and summer.
"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." A hidden gem in the middle of Golden Gate Park is where you can find the Rose Garden. It is located in the back of De Young Museum and maybe the best part it's FREE! It's amazing how nearly everything around cost $$$ nowadays. I mean even parking and water cost money sometimes. Now imagine strolling in Golden Gate Park and coming across this treasure of a find. A Rose Garden. And it's absolutely FREE. You enter from east, west, north, or south... it's up to you. Roses, white roses, red roses, pink roses, yellow roses, orange roses, interracial roses, or whatever you call it, but almost every rose you can think of. Most have a plaque indicating on the type of rose and it's origin, etc. Some are unmarked. Yet, all are simply beautiful to look at and breathe in the natural aroma. Take your time and appreciate the life around you. Smile. Be thankful. Breathe it all in. So is the FREE part why this place get's a perfect rating? Hey, anything FREE get's stars, but being awesome is why the Rose Garden get's a perfect nod from me. It's really nothing flashy, but a discreet garden in the middle of a gigantic park. It's filled with roses that represents life. A reminder to slow down. And sometimes the simplest things are simply the most beautiful...
4 months ago
It's that time of year when you can smell the roses before you can even see them! Took a stroll today through this iconic San Francisco garden and soaked in the vibes. The atmosphere is pure bliss with almost every rose "bush" either in full bloom or just on the edge of almost on the way out, which avid rose lovers know changes the scent profile in the sweetest most pungent way. It's easy to access this garden from Fulton with tons of parking available and just as easy if you're already in the park near the Museums. There are benches lining the walk way and three benches within the circled lawn which are perfect for tea time or a picnic. Oh and the best part? ITS FREE read more
The flowers are in bloom and it's time to smell the roses! Out in the open on the outskirts of GGP and Richmond District is the rose garden. With all kinds of colors, some have rosier scents than others. Your nose will know! read more
Roses are in bloom. Some are so fragrant. It's amazing there are so many different variety. I like the multi-color ones it's located at the corner of Park Presidio and Fulton st. I would say this is one fifth of the rose garden in San Jose. read more
Golden Gate Park has a ton of gardens to look at. In the area of the museums there's certainly a few that are interesting. The Rose Garden is one of these. A lot of cool flowers. You can see a lot in bloom depending on the time of year. As made obvious by the name, there's a lot of roses in this garden. It's located close to the De Young Museum. This is a nice compliment on a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden, which is also pretty close to get to. Easy to make a visit when younger already here looking at something else. This is one of the few things here where admission is all free, so that's one good thing. Certainly anyone who likes roses should come here. It's best when these are in bloom, which is spring. There's lots however that you can see all year, as there's even some roses to check out when it's winter. read more
Made a visit to the rose garden at Golden Gate Park today and the roses were beautiful even though many of them were a little past their lifetimes. There were still lots that were beautiful. Noticed that most of them had no or very little scent, so that was a bit disappointing, but they were still very pretty. Would definitely recommend a visit if you love flowers! read more
** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Like any rose garden, obviously the appeal depends on what time of year you come here. For instance, coming here during the holidays would be pointless because there would be bare flower beds and naked branches. Now that could be your thing as you might be one of those esoteric types who see beauty in everything. Yeah, that's not me. I'm the instant gratification, Instagrammable type who needs to be here during the full bloom of the garden. If you're as superficial as me, come here in May through July. It's pretty gorgeous as the pastel-hued colors run riot over sixty beds as well as all kinds of climbing roses on a latticed fence. It all has the civilized air of a Merchant Ivory production with apparently a pruning demonstration done in January to show how the well-monied can replicate the floral displays on their own private grounds. An adjacent redwood grove provides a nice bucolic complement, though I find it ironic how roller skaters with boom boxes hover nearby to democratize the atmosphere. RELATED - Looking to meditate in a garden? Here's a collection of gardens I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/37K9I3L read more
This time of year is amazing for the rose garden. There's no fee to enter, making it easily accessible any time you're at golden gate park. For the nature newbie, roses don't bloom all year, so your experience will depend on when you visit the garden. Currently, all the roses are spectacularly in bloom. This place is perfect for (quite literally) taking the time to stop and smell the roses. read more
6 years ago
Absolutely beautiful rose garden inside of Golden Gate Park. It's very insane how this garden is completely free all because it seems to be something that you should pay for in the Conservatory of Flowers or Botanical Garden in the park since all the other amenities have an entrance fee. There are so many different kinds of flower varieties here. Although the size of the rose garden may not be as big as the San Jose one, I would arguably say that there are more varieties here. Also, because its behind the de Young museum, there is not a whole ton of people here even on the weekends. Lots of bench seating too with a lot of shady regions. Definitely would recommend if you are in the Golden Gate Park! read more
Found along a walk path between JFK and Fulton at Presidio, the bulk of the Rose Garden is to be found along the western side of the path. To the east lies a lovely redwood grove. Stenciled in white at either entrance to the path are the words: no bicycles, no skating. This stops no one, so be prepared--especially if you have mobility challenges--to have folk whizzing by as you make your way along the foot path. Even when roses are not in bloom, it can be relaxing to sit on a bench or on the lawn and just take in the surroundings. Sometimes I like to sit on one of the massive tree trunks placed between the garden and the grove and gaze at the redwoods. Dogs are meant to be on leads in this area of Golden Gate Park. read more
Gigantic Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco... I had a list of places that I wanted to go to in San Francisco and this Rose Garden was one of them. I appreciate roses because they're not easy to grow - they need special fertilizer and pruning techniques... Roses have a unique fragrance and are known for their thorns. They come in many different colors and varieties. This garden contains many! Check out my photo of the Rose with variegated petals - wow! I was so happy to stroll up, down, and through the paths. We didn't get to the end of the garden because we were tired and hungry! We will have to visit again soon! read more
Another example of what makes SF so special! What a gorgeous garden--an actual escape from the fast paced urban environment we live in and and call home. People were reading. People were meditating. People were viewing. Two toddlers chased each other through the gardens. Here's a bit of info: https://goldengatepark.com/rose-garden.html read more
Golden Gate Park never ceases to amaze me, there are so many beautiful gardens, small lakes, and greenery to behold. The Japanese Garden gets all the attention but the rose garden is very impressive as well and it's free. There are around 60 rose beds in all different colors and styles with the peak bloom time late May-July. Since it's San Francisco a lot of the time the garden can be foggy which doesn't make for as great of rose pictures compared to a sunny background (more worth noting if coming specifically for photos) but that's just San Francisco. This rose garden is a thoroughfare from the park to the Fulton and Park Presidio streets. It's a bit louder because it's near a busy street which doesn't bother me but might slightly disappoint some people that are envisioning a tranquil rose garden away from it all like the Oakland or Berkeley ones. Compared to other rose gardens in the Bay Area I love how this is in Golden Gate Park with so many other things to do nearby like the De Young, Stow Lake, Rainbow Waterfall, and the Japanese Garden but on the other hand, it seems to have a much shorter bloom season than all others which is probably due to the foggy climate. read more
2 years ago
Fact: Golden Gate Park is 20% larger than New York's Central Park. Fact: I've never been to the Rose Garden and I've probably passed by this place hundreds of times over the years. It's true, this is the route I take when dropping-off and picking-up Wifey at work. Fact: There are over 100 species of roses, and they can live for a very long time. The oldest living rose is believed to be over a thousand years old in the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany. But you won't have to go to Germany to see a bunch of beautiful flowers if you visit Golden Park. Located on John F. Kennedy Drive behind the de Young Museum, the Rose Garden is a strip of land with rows and rows of different types of roses with all the colors of the rainbow. It even has a mini Redwood Grove on the side that looks like a perfect place for kids to go play hide-and-seek. At least that's what comes to my mind as I wandered off into that patch of land under the shade of them giant trees. But the roses are definitely the star here as it's a wonderful place for locals and tourists to take photos, marvel at the different species or be amazed by the many hues and colors as they bloom towards the ray of the sun. The next time you're in this area, go ahead and stop to smell the roses. You'll be glad you did. read more
I remember having picnics in Golden Gate Park and strolling through the Rose Garden in my childhood. This is a nice spot to lay out a blanket to read books, relax, or even paint. To enjoy the roses at full bloom, the best time to visit the Rose Garden would be late spring and summer. read more
4 years ago
"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." A hidden gem in the middle of Golden Gate Park is where you can find the Rose Garden. It is located in the back of De Young Museum and maybe the best part it's FREE! It's amazing how nearly everything around cost $$$ nowadays. I mean even parking and water cost money sometimes. Now imagine strolling in Golden Gate Park and coming across this treasure of a find. A Rose Garden. And it's absolutely FREE. You enter from east, west, north, or south... it's up to you. Roses, white roses, red roses, pink roses, yellow roses, orange roses, interracial roses, or whatever you call it, but almost every rose you can think of. Most have a plaque indicating on the type of rose and it's origin, etc. Some are unmarked. Yet, all are simply beautiful to look at and breathe in the natural aroma. Take your time and appreciate the life around you. Smile. Be thankful. Breathe it all in. So is the FREE part why this place get's a perfect rating? Hey, anything FREE get's stars, but being awesome is why the Rose Garden get's a perfect nod from me. It's really nothing flashy, but a discreet garden in the middle of a gigantic park. It's filled with roses that represents life. A reminder to slow down. And sometimes the simplest things are simply the most beautiful... read more
11 years ago
I like rose water. Rose ice cream. Rose tea. Rose scones. Rose flavored candy. Rose oil. And roses. And it wasn't always this way. I hated those talc Rose scented bath cubes growing up as a child. My super old Catholic aunt kept them around the house, especially in the bathroom, and I always found them to be tacky and too strong with perfume. Oh Jeebus, it ruined me. But as I got older, I developed a new love and appreciation for roses. And Rose scents. And Rose flavors. I don't know about bath cubes, but I'm cool with everything else. And this rose garden is no different. It isn't over the top or super spectacular, but it is a nice, well kept garden in the park filled with singing birds, rose admirers and old men who paint pictures on canvases. I can dig it. read more
The Golden Gate Park Rose Garden is nice, it's nothing super spectacular as a major point of interest, but it's nice to stroll on by to and through as part of your GGP excursion. The park as a whole is a nice experience to visit. Parking of course is always not so easy in GGP, but you can park outside on the Richmond District side and walk in easily. read more
5 years ago
Great collection of roses in the middle of the city with such a wide variety of colors and scents. Incredibly well-kept for a free attraction. Most were in bloom during my visit here in late May. read more
We had been SIP for so long and this was the first time we were out of the house for some fun, it was easy to get there and find parking too since not too many people out. it was late of the season but still has lot of blossoms and many varieties of roses. The garden was big so we were able to enjoy ourselves and still have social distancing with others. We spent an hour walked thru all the flowers beds and took lot of pictures. We enjoyed the time there read more
What a beautiful spot! As we strolled amongst the rows of lovely flowers, my boyfriend remarked, "it smells a lot like old ladies out here." Although... that didn't deter him from burying his nose in every other rosebush we passed. Hmmm, I thought. Hmmm. Anyway, there are roses of just about every variety and color. I'd give you more information, but what the hell do I know about roses? It was pretty empty, although I had to shake my head in disbelief when I saw the clump of shirtless gay guys lounging in the middle of the garden. I was tempted to make them a little sign that said "attention whore variety" in Latin. read more
You can literally smells the roses as you're walking up! I was immediately impressed by how kept up and neat it was! Such a beautiful and relaxing area to come a walk around, smell the roses, take some pictures, get a little sun, and enjoy the simple things in life. Definitely something to do if you're a local or live near by, probably not necessarily a good tourist place unless you've never seen a rose before.. d: read more
Ooh, roses! Across John F. Kennedy drive from the de Young Museum is an acre of roses. Planted in regular rows, carefully labeled, hundreds of varieties wait in the sunshine for your inspection. Strategically placed benches in the garden give you a place to sit and ponder the beauty of life itself. Some of the roses are plain, some very pretty. Some are named after famous people. Some have no scent at all, and some will send you to perfume heaven. At the north end of the garden you may be surprised to find cars whizzing by, as they speed up to get to the stop light. I never understood that, but what I do understand is that most of those hurried drivers are never aware of the pocket of serenity just a few feet from their passenger-side doors. read more
Roses To Inspire Your Heart Lovely hidden garden you need to go out of your way to experience. A free attraction in Golden Gate Park, a walk around this garden hand-in-hand with a date could make you fall in love. On my stroll I admired the many varieties of roses and played with the petals adorning the lawn as happens this time of year. A ladybug landed on my face and took a leisurely stroll all along my glasses, so I guess even the bugs can be romantic here. read more
18 years ago
Roses are one of my favorite flower ,so of coarse I'm gonna like the rose garden. Wrong. I LOVE IT! It totally reminds me of Alice in Wonderland .... "we're painting the roses red." -he he. I made my family wait for me while I took a million pictures. I probably go back by myself and take a million more! read more
This is a lovely little garden that I've been coming to since I was little. If we didn't actually stop, we'd make sure to drive by every week or two, so my mom could see when it was time to prune her roses. Now I enjoy it for the calmness that can be found here, even if it's busy everywhere else in the park. It is kept very clean, the roses are well maintained, and there are a number of places to sit down and just admire all of the lovely roses. There's nothing the gardeners can do about this, but I do wish roses more roses were bred for scent as well as physical attributes; so many of the roses are beautiful but don't smell like anything at all. read more
I love the rose garden so much. It's a piece of heaven in the park. It inspires poetry. How this could get anything less than 5 stars is beyond me. It's FREE!! For a free garden, it's magical. I do wish ALL the roses had tags identifying what the name of the rose is though. It seems 60 to 70% of the bushes are tagged. Invariably, it's the ones without tags I want to the names! Thank you for not picking the flowers. read more
16 years ago
12 years ago
I came here the 2nd weekend of August.And it was wonderful, lots of beautiful roses in bloom, and the garden has a very nice layout. The place is very well kept, and very organized. It looks as though every rose bush was dead headed regularly, and dead leafs, and petals picked up. There wasn't a dead leaf, or spoiled petal to be found. This place was sparkling, and squeaky clean like Disneyland! And the smell was off the charts. There's something to be said about stopping to smell the roses. Its like a delicacy for your nose! I love how each rose have a different color, petal count, and shape i.e. climbing, bush, tree, or wild. But what I really enjoy is the difference in fragrance! This rose garden really made my day. You should give it a try, it is a really great spot!! read more
I have visited Golden Gate Park plenty of times, but never noticed this beautiful rose garden before. The garden has a wide variety of award winning roses. The flower color hues range from white to deep red. Some of the roses have a strong fragrant scent that puts you in a tranquil state. The garden is about 2-3 acres long and the best part of all is it's free. Yes, that's right, unlike the botanical garden there is no entry fee so spend as long as you like there and save your cash for your next adventure. read more
8 years ago
Just breathtaking - everywhere you look is color, everywhere you walk is on rose petals, and everything just smells lovely. You'll spend at least 39 min asking through this small area smelling the roses and taking pictures of them. Also, wear something nice - they make good backdrops for a lowkey photo shoot read more
13 years ago
Nice place to to sit down and have a picnic. Girlfriend said the roses smell good. Nice view. read more
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More info about Rose Garden
John F Kennedy Dr
San Francisco, CA 94117
Directions
(415) 831-2700
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Visit Website
https://sfrecpark.org/911/Golden-Gate-Park---Rose-Garden
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Ask the Community - Rose Garden
Is it free garden?
Yes, it's free. There's no gate or ticket booth. Just walk in. :)
Has anyone had a wedding ceremony in the rose garden? Since it's free to visit the rose garden would there be a charge to have a wedding there?
Since it's under the San Francisco Recreation & Parks I would advise contacting them directly: sfrecpark.org…
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