Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, SF

On a drizzly February day in San Francisco, we head to The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. The temperature is a balmy 85 degrees. Everyone here looks beautiful surrounded by rare and exotic plants in the cozy and colorful Conservatory. On this day, the 14th, we’re offered complimentary flutes of champagne to take with us as we stroll through the steamy tropical jungle.

The Conservatory of Flowers is a greenhouse and botanical garden that checks all boxes — California Historical Landmark, San Francisco Designated Landmark, National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Places. The exotic plant collection is stunning, and so is the building, which is the oldest in all of Golden Gate Park, and the oldest municipal wooden conservatory left standing in the United States.

The interior is divided into sections based on environment conditions and plant categories: Highland Tropics, Lowland Tropics, Aquatic Plants, and Potted Plants. Some areas are more humid than others. The potted plant area near the gift shop is a recommended spot for sitting indoors, and on a sunny day the exterior offers several pleasant places to sit and relax.

Savvy Savings: 3 Conservatory of Flowers Discounts

The Conservatory of Flowers has a free admission day and also offers a break on tickets for residents of San Francisco County. If these don’t work for you, check out the discount pass listed below.

• FREE DAYS: The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
• LOCALS DEAL: San Francisco city and county residents get $2 to $3 off at the door (adults/seniors/youths/college students). Kids 4 and younger get in free.
• DISCOUNT PASS: Go San Francisco and their “Build Your Own”pass {best price} are a good choice if you’re visiting more than one San Francisco museum or attraction in a month’s time. They’re way better than they used to be, and you can show on your smart phone for free admission. The custom pass lets you visit as many as you want — or as few as two — and save 20% to 55% on each place, including the Conservatory of Flowers.

Know Before You Go

Here are a few tips to help make your visit a little savvier.

• Official Info — See the Conservatory of Flowers website.
• Closures — On Sundays, the roads around the Conservatory are closed to car traffic. You can take the free Golden Gate Park Shuttle (runs every 15-20 minutes during park hours). Take stop number 3 on the route map.
• Public transportation — If you’re taking Muni, the number 5 is the closest bus stop. (Get off at the 8th Avenue & Fulton).
• Parking — East side of the building or on John F. Kennedy Drive in front of the Conservatory.
• Accessibility — The Conservatory is wheelchair accessible, even for motorized chairs, plus they have two wheelchairs available in the ticket booth. The safest entrance into the park with accessible pathways is at 8th Avenue.

• Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday: 10am – 4pm. Closed Mondays and some major holidays, except Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Address: Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, 501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA. Info line: 415-831-2090.