Alcatraz Prison Gardens
Surprisingly beautiful gardens, grown by prisoners and staff in an unexpected setting. You will find beautiful blooms and desert plants even around the famous Alcatraz prison gardens on an island tour. The best weather is usually from March to June - after that it gets foggy.
Golden Gate Park & Botanical Gardens
I once spent several months in the Silicon Valley and explored Sand Francisco and the Bay Area, and most of all the wonderful botanical gardens. For days I was walking with my dog through all the parts of this huge park, larger than Central Park in New York City. The gold rush of the 1850s brought enormous wealth to San Francisco and the city's fathers wanted to show off the prosperity of their new metropolis.
A 12,000 ft Victorian glasshouse was brought over from Europe. A sturdy structure that even survived the 1906 earthquake. Japanese gardens, waterfalls, even a small bison herd can be found here too. Most flowers bloom from February to June.
Among many other plants and blooms, you will be smitten by California Poppies, Tulips, Fuchsias, Dogwoods, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons in Spring. Summer finds an abundance of Roses, Hydrangeas, and Dahlias. Autumn colors are by Liquid Ambers, Swamp Cypress, and Gingkoes, and in Winter Camellias, Native Ceanothus (California Lilacs), Tulips, Lavender, Grevillea, Protea, Leucadendrons, and Strelitzia show their beauty. And I am even not mentioning the various succulents and cacti that thrive here too.
Palo Alto's Elizabeth Gamble Garden
South of San Francisco, it is somewhat hidden, and I discovered it only when I walked my dog in the neighborhood and saw a small sign. Officially dogs are not allowed, but the two friendly gardeners who I asked, gave me permission as on this early morning no other visitors were around.
A vine-covered gazebo and a posh cottage can be seen, as well as the mansion of Ms. Gamble that can be visited during the week. Especially the rose garden and the wisteria garden are the highlight of this botanical jewel.
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Hakone Japanese Garden, Saratoga
It is recognized as one of the oldest Japanese-style residential gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Located on a steep hill, it is not as strong 'Japanese' as some others, but more an 'English Garden Style' in a Japanese setting and with Japanese plants. Similar to the one in Hayward on the east side of the Bay. But the buildings, bridges, and the pond with its Koi fish are typical Japanese.
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Ruth Bancroft Gardens
The perfect showcase for Californians to ditch their ugly lawns and go xeriscaping! I doubt if these plants ever saw a garden water hose or can, after all the palms, cacti, yuccas, agaves, and other succulents can thrive on the occasional rain or fog. This little paradise of dry plants is located among residential areas in Walnut Creek, east of San Francisco.
Wandering through the beautifully arranged plant areas, you may want to totally change your own garden setting - if you live in the southern states. In fact, you can purchase some of the plants, raised in this water-wise, low-maintenance' dry garden'.
https://RuthBancroftGarden.org
Find inspiration in the many gardens in and around San Francisco and the Bay Area. Don't forget to hike through any of the 75 parks in the East Bay Regional Park District, to admire the colorful wildflowers, such as poppies, silver lupine, pacific pea, periwinkle, and larkspur - especially after a generous spring rain.
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