Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

The Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is one of our favorite escapes because its 55 acres and over 8,000 plant varieties ensures that each visit rewards us with something we never noticed before. No matter what season it is, we always find plenty of plants in bloom, evidence that San Francisco truly has been blessed with year-round gardening opportunities.

One of the garden’s objectives is to demonstrate the abundance of plants and flowers that thrive in San Francisco’s unique climate. Plants indigenous to various parts of the world, such as the Mediterranean, Australia and South America, have been included. For example, the plants in the section called the New World Cloud Forest have been brought from Chiapas, Mexico – an area which has cool mist and fog similar to San Francisco’s.

Other sections of the garden include:

• Wildfowl Pond - a small sanctuary for geese, ducks, gulls, swans and small birds

• Takamine Garden - you will know you are here when you see Japanese stone lanterns, magnificent Asian magnolia trees and, in winter, the rose blossoms of the Camellia Japonica

• Redwood Trail - a recreation of California’s redwood plant community, dominated by majestic north coast redwoods, which are among the oldest trees in the Gardens

• A newly renovated section devoted to California native plants

• A delightful collection of rhododendrons from Asia and South America

The Garden’s History
Although early plans for Golden Gate Park included an arboretum, it was not until May, 1940 that the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens became a reality (thanks to a generous gift from Helene Strybing). Some of the plants in the Gardens date back over a hundred years, to a time when the space the Gardens now occupy was used as a "holding ground" for international fairs and as an amusement train ride; but most of the theme gardens and geographic collections have been installed since 1960.

Today, the Gardens are maintained by the Recreation and Parks Department of the city and county of San Francisco, in partnership with the Strybing Arboretum Society, a non-profit group. Like most gardens and arboretums, Strybing is a work-in-progress with new developments being planned regularly. For example, in early 2000, look for the dedication of two new gardens, the Library Terrace Garden and the Asia Discovery Garden.

Free Garden Tours
Taking a free tour around the gardens is a great way to learn more about the 8,000 varieties of plants you will see. For the latest tour information, visit the Strybing web site.

Horticultural Library & Bookstore
If your walk through the arboretum and gardens has made you want to learn more about the plants you have seen, stop by the Helen Crocker Russell Library (which has a collection of 18,000 books and receives over 450 periodicals) or the Strybing Store to pick up books or pamphlets on the topics that interest you. Both the Library and the Store are open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM (closed on major holidays). Note also that Strybing holds monthly plant sales to make their horticultural successes available to home gardeners.

Details
Getting There: The Gardens are located on Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way (part of Golden Gate Park) and are easily accessible via public transportation. From Market Street, take the MUNI Metro N/Judah streetcar or the #71 Haight/Noriega bus to Ninth Avenue. From the Forest Hill MUNI Metro Station or the Glen Park BART Station, take the #44 O’Shaughnessy bus.

For more information, including hours and admission fees, call (415) 661-1316 or visit the Strybing web site.