Found within the lush greenery of the Golden Gate Park, nature lovers will definitely enjoy a visit to the expansive 55-acre or 22-hectare San Francisco Botanical Garden which feature approximately 7,500 plants. The plants found here hail from numerous species which include mild temperate, Mediterranean and cloud forest landscaped in different kinds of environment.

The initial plan for the San Francisco Botanical Garden was originally put forward by then supervisor of Golden Gate Park John McLaren in the 1890s. However, there was not enough funding for the said project. It was in the 1920s through the generosity of San Francisco socialite Helene Strybing that financing became available. After a long germination, planting commenced in 1937 and the garden or arboretum was inaugurate in May 1940.

For nature lovers, or even those who just want to break away from the stress of the city and ?smell the flowers,? the best way to enjoy the San Francisco Botanical Garden is through a self-guided tour. Maps of the garden are available and guests are well on their way to experiencing a scenic stroll around the 22 hectare garden.

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is segmented into several geographical and thematic sections positioned around two open fields.

One cluster of gardens forms the specialty gardens which features the Succulent Garden, the Primitive Plant Garden and the Garden of Fragrance ? which is especially created for the blind. The flowers contained here either have really strong smell or have a very prominent leaf structure. Another specialty garden is the Moon-Viewing garden which is thick with East-Asian plant species. Compared to the Japanese Tea Garden located nearby, the Moon-Viewing Garden?s landscape is rather informal.

The San Francisco Botanical Garden likewise boasts of two ?cloud forests? which are the Southeast Asian and the Mesoamerican cloud forests. The plants featured here can survive sans a conservatory owing to the misty San Francisco summer dawns that offers enough moisture for the tropical species to thrive.

The other stand outs in San Francisco Botanical Garden are the South Africa Garden which is teeming with a variety of plants hailing from the southernmost regions of Africa. There is also the native California garden adorned with giant redwood Sequoias which are century old.

Guests can also enjoy the horticultural offerings that are indigenous to Eastern Australian, Chile and New Zealand or traverse across an enchanting plot filled with colorful rhododendron. Kids can develop t an early sense of the outdoors at the beautiful children?s garden. Plus, everyone can frolic at the wildfowl pond.

The gates of the San Francisco Botanical Garden are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, rain or shine, summer, winter, spring or fall. Garden hours may vary.