Beautiful garden - I can't believe this is city-owned and open to the public. How great! It's not kept up as it would be if you had to pay an entrance fee but beautiful nonetheless. read more

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Lovely public space where one can go to be impressed with both the sights and smells. I had a quick trip here but it was lovely, even after most varieties had hit their prime blooming, and parking was accessible. read more

The Rose Garden is lovely--spectacular view--but this review is for the public tennis facilities on the side. There are three individually fenced courts in reasonable condition. I haven't played on them much, so I can't speak to court speed. What I really appreciate about this space is the wall. It's nothing fancy: a painted cinderblock retaining wall, really. The ground is a little uneven and you can't stand very far back, but that doesn't bother me because the wall absorbs some of the pace of the ball. I can stand at the equivalent of no-man's-land (between service and base lines) and swing big. Good for short volley/slice practice too. I have long rallies against this wall. Only downside: if a ball flies too high, it's gone--past a padlocked gate... read more

Pretty gardens where you can stop and smell the roses. This is pretty much the garden on the east side of the bay... wish there was more. Don't go in the winter time... nothing to see then. The spring season is when the flowers bloom. There are steep inclines and so it is not wheelchair accessible in some parts, for those who are challenged. read more

My husband and I aren't very sentimental. Sometimes, though, I get a wee bit anxious about my lack of girliness, so I suggest an occasional pilgrimage to our wedding site of 2002. We went on our anniversary this past May, and the blooms were extraordinary, more lush than I've seen here in a while. An amphitheatre brimming with roses and overlooking a stunner of a Bay view is one of the most majestic, positively theatrical settings. On the horticultural side, my husband, whose pursuits tend to be more on the destructive side, suddenly took up rose gardening in recent years. The BRG didn't trigger a latent romantic impulse -- he just likes the fragrance and we finally bought a house (with the savings we had from NOT spending it on a big-budget wedding). So this is the kind of place where even the occasionally surly man can go, bury his nose into petals, and say things like "this Sweet Afton has a very nice heavy-petaled look" or "this OId Romeo is just impossible to find." It's actually like seeing Don Quijote in action, as he then tries to grow them in our backyard, which is the size of a dog run for dachshunds and gets less sun than a prison cell block. As for a wedding site, the Garden is the best damned deal in the Bay Area. The City of Berkeley info page (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/coolthings/parks/rosegarden.html) doesn't give the latest prices, but the rental fee three years ago was $75 an hour. You read that right. Why go to far uglier venues costing $2000 or more? And hearing the "thwock thwock" of tennis balls during the wedding ceremony -- a genteel touch to any ceremony, I say. A few wedding hints (so all my research doesn't go to waste): --Because the chair rental places said they wouldn't carry down their sad little plastic folding chairs down the steps, I decided instead to buy $4 folding camp chairs at Target. The camp chairs turned out to be comfortable, they're actually nice-looking (and photograph well), all 125 fit in one Volvo station wagon, and heck, they can make favors for the guests. Come to a wedding, get a camp chair. --Tie ribbons across the entrances of the reserved area to keep away wedding crashers (sorry, fellow Yelpers). --I held my reception here. Not only did I save money on NOT buying flowers, I also saved money on alcohol. Since the BRG is a public facility, no alcohol is allowed. Oh well. Yes, you can have a wedding without booze. If you can't do without spirits, you can reserve a BBQ set-up at Codornices Park across the street. --Arrange for Permit Parking only right in front of the garden. You set up the signs the night before, and you'll have guaranteed parking to drop off supplies. --Guest max? 150 people. What better excuse for tell your Chinese (or fill-in-excessive-breeding-background-here) relatives that the fire marshall or whatever Berkeley wedding overseer will come and haul the bride away if the guest list goes over? read more

Make sure you visit during late spring and early summer time when the roses are beautifully bloomed! I went two days ago and the garden looked beautiful with vibrant colors. There's also a park right across the street where my friends and I decided to have a nice little picnic. There's a restroom and street parking as well. read more

What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, than to wander around this beautiful rose garden! There were so many different varietals and colors, and they are ALL in perfect bloom. If I lived nearby, I would be here every day! This is my new favorite neighborhood in Berkeley. read more

located in Berkeley hills this is a perfect place to spend a typical evening in summer....with roses of so many kinds its a picture heaven for couples...I recently took my friend and her husband to do a photo shoot and the pictures just turned out great...even wanting to spend time with family just relaxing watching the sunset this also is a great place to be at ....bring kids along too...i am pretty sure they will love it as much as the older kids do :)) read more

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Wonderful views, scenic location, good location close to restaurants and parks. Beautiful and quaint quiet getaway spot for kids, families, couples, and friends alike. Wonderful scents rise from the garden in summer and early fall (end of Sept.). It's free to enter and is worth the climb if you go by foot. Highly recommend. read more

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red roses yellow roses purple roses magenta roses fresh roses dried roses rocks twigs sewage I think we came here in the wrong time... most of the roses looks like sh*t! i'll still give it 4 stars just because! shut up! read more

It is beautiful. It is a great place to study. It is a better place to nap. Just do me a favor: don't get married here. Everyone loves a wedding. But hear me out ladies. There is nothing more awkward *AWKWARD* than standing in too much make up and a big white dress preparing for your big day--feeling all pretty--when you see a group of Cal kids smokin pot, checking out the roses, and being silly. And that can feel kinda weird when you have to dress up all purty and feel like a big white-dress-wearing dork. read more

This place is absolutely beautiful. at the very top before you walk down into the garden you can see views of the bay. The neighborhood is so cute as well. It is so peaceful and tranquil. This was also coupled with the fact that it was super hot. and a beeautiful day. When you walk down there is an amphitheatre where my cousin happened to got married-which is such an awesome place. the rows of seats were pretty far apart from each other and it was nice not to be spread out and not jammed in and have some 6'6" giant sitting in front of your blocking your view. I am not sure what other types of events there are but it is so fun to sit and check out just how many types of roses there are. I have a black thumb so anything like this is so cool. I dont know if I will ever be up here to find this place again but I will always have fond memories of the gorgeous afternoon I spent here. read more

last night i had a dream that i was back in berkeley. valerie bertinelli was also there. i can only assume that a jenny craig commercial was on as i dozed off. because i dreamed of berkeley and then read tinna's review of the rose garden, it reminded me of the only time i was there. it was my last year at cal. i was dating this guy and he confused me by being nice, visiting me randomly at work, buying me weird little things whenever he went anywhere, calling me on a regular basis and inviting me to study groups with his friends. i didn't get what his game was. one night, he told me to meet him at his place because he wanted to take me somewhere. when i got there, he told me i looked cute. huh? then he gave me a thermos and we got into his car but he didn't tell me where we were going. then we stopped at a cafe and he bought me tea. tea? once we got to the rose garden, it was dark, and a little cold, but still really pretty and a bit eery because we were totally alone. it was bigger than i thought it would be. rather than appreciate the lovely evening and him for being kind of romantic, i was agitated. he calmed me down and we had an illuminating talk as we drank our tea and walked around. it was a nice night. i should go back sometime. read more

my boyfriend took me here for my 21st birthday (yesterday) and we played scrabble in the garden. beautiful roses for beautiful people. read more

beautiful. wait... how do you write a review for a rose garden? it's not like there is crappy food or snobby waitresses. there are just lots of pretty roses to appreciate. i go here when i just need some time to chill... when i want to appreciate flowers. when it is cloudy. Berkeley isn't all about cute stores and yummy places to eat, thank gawd. *sigh* i love this place. ...beautiful. read more

Funny review of the wedding party and the older couple throwing dagger eyes...I got a similar story....nice wedding going on, people dressed to the Nines, tennis players grunting and swearing in the background; then a couple of men in the wedding party decide they're going to pick up the picnic table near the top court and move it a few feet. Crazy Jeff, the grunting tennis player decides he wants to intervene for no real reason, telling the men that the picnic table needs to stay where it was. It got ugly there for a while. Then one time someone was trying to videotape the wedding and didn't want the sound effects from the tennis court on tape....that got weird too! Last comment: if you come for the tennis, and are looking for a pick-up game, it's possible, but the regulars can try to freeze you out unless you ask what the protocol is when you arrive, then let them know what level you are read more

Bong hits for Jesus! Well, not really, rather I saw a guy with a beard that looked like Jesus smoking a bong at the garden. XD This place reminds me of a medieval court yard filled with flowers. Too bad the day I went, the flowers look like they are starting to wilt and the water stream is a trickle. Luckily it is free so you don't lose anything, and parking is ample on the streets. However, I would rather go to the Berkley botanical garden, it's much more beautiful. Overall, an okay rose place, however, if you have a few extra bucks, go to the Botanical garden instead. read more

One of the best places in Berkeley to visit. Up in the hills next to Cordineces park, the rose garden is a beautiful place to visit combined with an incredible view of the city and the bay. Definitely a great place to visit on a nice day, to walk around and you literally get to "stop and smell the roses". Its a good place to go to pause, reset and get refreshed from the business of life. read more

This is a nice neighborhood park on the hill, a gated park in an area with nice old houses. There are a lot of roses and I love the layout of the park, how you walk down the hill and down steps, it adds dimension to the experience. Anyone who has tried growing roses before and knows how much care and maintenance these roses need will have appreciation for this place. The water fountain at the bottom adds a nice relaxing vibe. read more

Beautiful, terraced rose garden. Wonderfully presented and well stocked. Really a nice place for a walk!

Beautiful garden, with different types of roses and a good amount of space, allowing you to walk around a bit or chill on a bench. I had a lunch with my friend at one of the pic nic tables before the entrance and it was lovely, to be able to just enjoy the sun, see the flowers, take in nature. Worth a visit if you're in the area - bring a book and stay awhile! read more

OMG..do you know how many dates I brought up here?? =) That was my ROUTE MAN! I'd drive the girls to the Rose Garden during sunset and then up to Tilden and get a night view of the Berkeley area and the Bay Bridge... If you couldn't swoon girls w/that..then you had some problems! =) On the South Side of berkeley (telegraph ave) encompasses the URBAN portion of Berkeley w/lots of small food shops(really good btw)..and young kids who wreak of cheap incense, not showering, and bad hemp clothing ..mixed in w/some scarey kids from Oakland who filter in. It's quite an experience on that side. On the NORTH side of Berkeley..you'll find a more sterile environment. Lots of small and quiet restaurants..as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the south side. Lots of older graduate students discussing molecular cell biology and the latest pixar movie over a slice of LaVal's pizza or some overpriced latte. You drive up Euclid ave and twist and turn the hills and you'll find this little nook of a garden overlooking the bay. It's got tennis courts that are usually open(not the greatest..but still can play there). Surrounding the tennis court are several tiered walkways and a valley of planted and stilted rose bushes. It's very unassuming on cold days..but on a sunny summer day...the way the sun warms the area and reflects is really nice... The sunset there w/the combined view of the horizon of the SF bay makes it a nice stopover for anyone. Even at night..just walking the rose garden is a peaceful place to roam. If you live around Euclid, you have a real nice gem there... read more

I have mixed feelings about the Rose Garden -- living so close to this jewel of Berkeley I have witnessed first hand the crowds and the crime along with the beauty and splendor. The first time I visited the Rose Garden I found it stunning -- I had never seen so many roses in one place, much less with such a beautiful backdrop. Yet, it's hard to believe that people surrounded by such beauty can be so mean! I would say about 30% of the 20 times or so I have tried to play tennis at these courts with friends we have been treated rudely for no good reason. On the most recent occasion, after patiently waiting more than half an hour for a court, I politely tried to ask the two men who had been playing the longest if they would be finishing up soon. When this person tried to ask his friend if they should play another game, I simply pointed out that we had already been waiting more than half an hour, which is the max. play time when others are waiting according to the posted rules. That's when a female voice coming from one of the nearby picnic tables said, "We haven't been here that long." I was caught off-guard because until that point she seemed to be reading a book by herself and I had assumed she came alone. I had been wearing my watch and was certain it had been more than 30 minutes before I approached these people, but she kept insisting without good reason that they hadn't been there that long. Then she repeated over and over to my boyfriend and I that "there's a court down there" -- she was referring to the 1/2 court practice wall and wouldn't seem to believe us that it wasn't a court. She was so rude to us she basically ruined what had been a lovely Sunday afternoon up until that point. We left frustrated and sadly vowed never to go there as a pair again. While the Rose Garden's courts are kind of crooked and messed-up, I have trouble justifying driving to other courts nearby when these courts are a 3 minute walk from my house. I'm really tired of these belligerent tennis players who have no sense of community -- maybe it's because they don't live around the Rose Garden and think that they can be rude to whoever they want because they probably won't see us again. To you I say, go play in your own neighborhood or at least tone down your hostility! I have a sense that this attitude isn't unique to tennis players, either. In the three years I've lived here in Berkeley since transplanting to the West Coast from New York, I've found most of the people to be superficially nice, and mostly self-entitled, generally speaking. What's the deal? And just a word about the crime: heed the signs that say not to leave valuables in your car, and for Pete's sake don't park near here at night! I have never seen so much broken window glass on a regular basis than on the block between Eunice and Bay View Place. read more

It's romantic, beautiful and smells luxurious! Come alone, with a friend, or with your beautiful one!

A lovely place to spend an afternoon, and definitely a good place to end or begin a date. I won't rehash others' praises, but it may be worth noting that the walk up to the garden from downtown Berkeley/the UCB campus is also beautiful, if you don't mind the hills. read more

This place is gorgeous during full bloom and is nice to just walk through and enjoy the flowers. it leaves you feeling really at peace with everything. That is until you get back into traffic and hate life again. read more

Gorgeous views of the bay year round with a lovely park across the street. When the roses are in season the entire thing is abloom with more than a hundred different spiecies. It's amazing! read more

Great vista of the bay.... sunsets are breathtaking. Don't forget to smell the roses.

What a beautiful park! I've been there several times, but the last time was a whole new experience because I had my stairs/running group there. I did not realize there were so many stairs. What a work out, but can't beat the scenery. This is a great place for a romantic stroll, to take the kids, and work out. I can't wait to go back and enjoy the beauty. read more

The Rose Garden is a true gem of Berkeley. It is a great place to take parents for Mother's Day and Father's Day as well as anyone visiting from out of town - although it may be too rocky for elderly people. The many different varieties of roses ensure there is something in bloom most of the time and the hedges/borders with various flowers peeking out of them are lovely as well. One of my favorite aspects of the garden is how it is left somewhat wild with blackberry brambles and grasses growing around the edges; this just makes the roses all the more special. There are restrooms and a water fountain on the right side of the park by the tennis courts. read more

Found this by accident driving down the street. I love nature and decided to pull over and check it out. I have been to the rose garden in Oregon and figure it would be similar. This place is so relaxing. Definitely make a trip here and walk around in the beauty. read more

The streets around are also beautiful with a great variety of plants and trees. Great place to read and take in the view of the bay.

i got a chance to sit and chill out at the rose gardens last weekend.... looking for a quiet city respite and enjoy the scenery. i never want to forget what a wonderful place i live in, and enjoy the amazing view of our home. i packed a tiny picnic, sat on a bench, and soaked up some sun. listening to the water streaming by, and occasional dog barks, this garden is so very peaceful. even in the off-season, this is a nice place. but when in bloom, this place is a real delight. read more

This is one of the best places in Berkeley to watch a sunset. You can bring a picnic to eat on the benches (I recommend grabbing something at nearby Andronico's) and afterwards you can go wandering through the Berkeley hills. read more

This place is really pretty. Luckily enough I went when there were no weddings going on. My friend picked the park nearby for a bbq and while he was preparing everything I wandered across the street into the rose garden. It was such a beautiful and unexpected view and ambiance. I just sat there and soaked it up, until I smelled dinner a calling my growling stomach and then I ran back across the street to reality. read more

Gorgeous amphitheater-style garden with amazing views of the bay. I love bringing a book here and reading to the soothing sounds of the "stream" that runs through the garden, along with the sound of tennis in the background. So idyllic. Come for the roses, stay for the wonderful sunset. read more

Granted, April 6 is not peak season, but I expected more than what I encountered today, shown in the two photos I am posting. read more

The Berkeley Rose Garden - Taken on April 6, 2017 - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

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i felt like i was in middle school on a first date with a guy trying to bring me out to the perfect make out spot! [there were at least 2 couples in full out suck face session while we were there!] in any case, the rose garden is beautiful. great place to just bring out a book to read, take a lady out on a sweet date, or photograph the gorgeous blooms. love the quiet location. read more

aw. so precious. places like this are what makes berkeley a special place. such a pleasant and easy way to whimsically waste an afternoon. a pretty little spot in the middle of residential neighborhoods, across from another park. i only wish i would have brought some sort of picnic/elixir to extend the outing even more! read more

The Berkeley Rose Garden - flowery wonderment - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Imagine a hollow (nearly a cone-shaped hole) cut into the side of a steep hill, and lined with fragrant roses. I had the good fortune to visit Berkeley in May when this hillside Elysium is in full bloom. It's a raggedy garden (which is the most beloved kind) with thistles and white bramble roses out of control near the bottom, and tiers of purple-black, red, pink, yellow, apricot and bloodorange lovelies planted above. Couples canoodling, an old man drinking Coors, and studious UCB coeds were draped across the rose trellis benches, taking in the perfume. Catch it soon. I suspect the Berkeley Rose Garden vanishes for decades, like Brigadoon. read more