When you think of the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, you might picture majestic lions, playful penguins, or towering giraffes. But did you know that our 100-acre urban oasis is also blooming with beautiful gardens? Nestled along the Pacific Coast, our zoo offers a botanical journey that delights visitors of all ages—adding a splash of color, scent, and serenity to your wild day out.
🌼 A Garden for Every Explorer
Our gardens are as diverse and vibrant as the animals they surround. Thanks to San Francisco’s mild climate, we’re able to cultivate a wide array of plants from across the globe—from native wildflowers to prehistoric ferns. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast, budding botanist, or just love to stop and smell the roses, there’s a garden here for you:
- Native California Gardens
Located near the Connie and Bob Lurie Education Center, Greenie’s Conservation Corner, and across from the Lion Fountain, these gardens showcase native plants like California poppies, yarrow, and ceanothus. These beauties are built to thrive in our climate and require minimal water—perfect examples of sustainable gardening in action. - Dune Garden
Nestled along the Great Highway edge of the zoo, this coastal garden highlights plants that naturally thrive in sandy soils and salty air. It’s a quiet, windswept spot with fascinating native flora that calls the California coast home. - African Plant Displays
Surrounding the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna and Osher Giraffe Lodge, you’ll find stunning African flora including several dazzling protea species. These bold blooms add a vibrant, global flair to your walk among zebras and giraffes. - Prehistoric Garden
Located near the lake and across from the South American Tropical Building, this time-traveling garden features ancient plant varieties like gunnera, horsetails, mosses, and ferns—plants that date back to the age of dinosaurs! - Gardens of the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo
Families love exploring this playful garden zone featuring:- A Butterfly Garden with pollinator-friendly blooms,
- The whimsical Fried-Egg Poppy garden (yes, it looks just like its name!),
- And a charming Rose Garden full of sweet scents and delicate colors. It’s a magical place for little explorers to learn how flowers support wildlife—and maybe even spot a butterfly or two!
🌿 Greenie’s Conservation Corner: Sustainability in Bloom
Opened on Earth Day in 2010, Greenie’s Conservation Corner is a showcase of eco-friendly gardening and creative reuse. Once an unused animal exhibit, it now thrives with edible herbs and vegetables planted in repurposed containers like old garbage cans and fencing.
Here, you’ll discover:
- Drought-tolerant plants and pollinator favorites,
- A solar-powered fountain made from former animal troughs,
- Seasonal veggies like carrots, kale, and chard harvested for our animal residents,
- Rainwater harvesting, composting, wind and solar energy displays,
- And even a working beehive!
While you stroll the garden path, don’t miss the authentic 1906 earthquake shack—offering a peek into San Francisco’s resilient history and a great conversation starter on sustainability and innovation.
🌸 Why Gardens Matter
Our gardens are more than just a pretty sight—they’re a vital part of our mission. They support animal habitats, serve as outdoor classrooms, and inspire our guests to make eco-friendly choices at home. From showing kids how flowers feed butterflies to growing organic food for our animals, each garden helps tell the bigger story of conservation.
🌺 Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re snapping photos of blooming roses or learning how to start your own pollinator patch, the gardens at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens are not to be missed. We’re open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last entry at 4:00 p.m.
🌿 Come for the animals, stay for the gardens, and leave inspired by the natural beauty that connects us all. Thank you to our major donors, Gail Secchia as well as Robert and Regina Muehlhauser, for making these beautiful gardens possible.
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📍 Plan your next visit at www.sfzoo.org