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    Rose Garden

    4.4 (56 reviews)

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    Garden
    Steve A.

    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.

    Annie W.

    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!

    Montage of images from the Rose Garden
    Ed U.

    ** 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

    Joan A.

    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.

    Vivienne C.

    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!

    Not a dog park.
    Bea B.

    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.

    Here it is!
    Nadine C.

    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!

    Thomas D.

    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

    Joan W.

    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.

    Roses are red, violets are blue, the Death Star stares at you.
    John G.

    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.

    Rose garden bed
    Lilian M.

    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." ;)
    Eric R.

    "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...

    Valerie Deanna C.

    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.

    Damask roses on a trellis

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    Page 1 of 2

    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… Read more

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Rose Garden

    Golden Gate Park never ceases to amaze me, there are so many beautiful gardens, small lakes, and greenery to behold.

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

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    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4.8(435 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    Just past SF this park has so many different trail options perfect for all hiking levels. The…read moredownside is this place gets PACKED! My sister and I arrived before 8am at the Watershed parking lot and barely found a space. We did the trail that took us to the West Point Inn for the pancake breakfast and round trip was close to 5 miles so it was a great workout. There's gorgeous views and well! On the way back to the 101 however it's a mess. The road on the way down is crowded with parked cars, which makes driving through challenging. That's the only thing about this park, other than that I'd love to come back in spring when everything is green and vibrant!

    My first association of Mt Tam is from Cowgirl Creamery's best seller, Mt Tam Triple Cream with…read moreHeart cheese. Ever since then, I've wanted to hike this peak, today I have achieved my wish. Early June with mild coastal temp, 50s-60s. Started up Matt Davis Trail in the foggy forest, to Pantoll Campground, to West Point Inn where we can look down to the top of the fog layer, to the Fire Lookout building at the Peak. Then we came down reverse but split off to Steep Ravine and Dip Sea trail after the campground. I've also always wanted to climb that ladder. This hike provided views of the Pacific ocean on the West as well as views of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on the East side. I thoroughly enjoyed the cool lush forest, but actually my favorite section was the single track along the slope of the open area after the Mt Tam State Park sign.

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    4.7(1.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Imagine a huge rectangle. Make it a park with grass and hills, flowers, trees, some fountains... I…read moredunno, throw in a big lake, some world-class Art and Science museums, and a dome where concerts and shows perform in the Summer. Let's also close down the streets from cars one day a week in the Summer so people can ride their bikes, skate, rollerblade, play and dance in the streets! How about on some warm weekend days we put huge concerts there that fill the grass for as far as the eye can see so people can bring all their friends to enjoy food, drinks, and music together. And the lake... let's make it so people can rent boats, and if they don't or can't row, they can peddle so they, too, can enjoy the waterfall and life on the lake! Let's also have beautiful statues around the park, definitely a Shakespeare Garden, and let's throw in something for garden lovers, like a Botanical Garden (a big one) and a Conservatory of Flowers. For more culture, let's add a Japanese Tea Garden with more lakes and flowers, and even a bridge in the shape of a circle. Let's also make this accessible to everyone, so some days, the museums are free (ie, usually once a month). And some entrance fees are lower for locals. (Check the websites.) Aaaaaand this is Golden Gate Park, and this is my favorite park in California, if not the entire country.

    something for everyone…read more this park is big! don't try to walk it all, just go to wherever you're interested in. whether it's the museum, japan tea garden, botanical garden, boating at the lake, or choose any picnic spot. a sunny day here is really enjoyable, so much space to spread out from others and do your own thing great for taking a stroll and dog walking.

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    4.5(186 reviews)
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    We really enjoy coming to Lafayette Park Playground this morning for an early Easter egg hunting…read moreevent--it's quite unique compared to other playgrounds in the city. The layout is more challenging and perfect for little explorers who love to climb, balance, and stay active. My 3-year-old always finds something new to do, and it keeps them engaged for a long time. I also appreciate that babies aren't left out--there are designated areas where younger kids can safely play too. The restroom is conveniently located and clean, which is a big plus for families. That said, some of the rocky edges can be a bit risky for adventurous kids, so it's definitely a place where you'll want to keep a close eye on them at all times. The only downside is parking--it can be pretty tough to find a spot, especially during busy times. Overall, it's a fun and exciting playground that's great for kids of different ages, as long as you're prepared for a bit of supervision and a parking hunt!

    What you lose in challenging elevation changes, you gain in stunning views and greenery. Lafayette…read morepark is an iconic location in San Francisco and a place that serves regular park goers, those who want to play tennis, those with kids, as well as our four legged friends. The park is beautifully maintained, with clean walking paths, manicured gardens, and enough benches and seating spaces. You can easily find a little corner to make your own for a bit. There is a rather large and modern kids playground and even more large grassy areas, both for those who want to lounge and for the dogs that want to run around. Overall, Lafayette Park is yet another gem that makes San Francisco special.

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    Rose Garden - parks - Updated May 2026

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