Plant Power

1:43 AM Kristina 0 Comments

Golden Gate Park is one of my main hangout spots in San Francisco. Most people don't realize how large Golden Gate Park is, and because of this, they miss out on a lot of unique experiences the city has to offer. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I love the area surrounding the de Young Museum (the Music Concourse, the Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden, etc.), but this area isn't all there is to GGP. There is also Stow Lake, the Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, various playgrounds, fields, and even a carousel. If you want to get the most out of your time at GGP, I suggest you find a parking spot near the de Young Museum area, use that as your center point, and explore outward from there. There is something to explore in every direction!

One of my favorite places in Golden Gate Park is the Conservatory of Flowers. The Conservatory is basically a greenhouse that contains a variety of plant species from around the world. You have to buy tickets to enter the building, but students get a discount, so I only had to pay $6 as an entry fee. When I went, there was a special butterfly exhibit happening so I was able to sit in a room filled with fountains and plants while butterflies flew around me (would recommend).

Though the inside of the Conservatory of Flowers is beautiful in itself, I think the outside of the Conservatory is what really makes this site a unique must-go. The lawn outside the Conservatory contains dozens of flower beds; there is even a flower bed clock (go, and you'll see what I mean) on one side of the Conservatory. The area outside of the Conservatory of Flowers is the perfect summertime picnic spot. Grab a friend, or 5, a picnic blanket, sandwiches, sodas, and $6-$10, and make a day out of your visit to the Conservatory of Flowers/Golden Gate Park. I suggest going on a warm July day like I did, but, of course, bring a jacket because it's San Francisco, and that fog is always unpredictable, even during the summer months.

ALSO, every night this summer (until October 21), the Conservatory of Flowers will be illuminated with different colored lights/designs. Apparently the best viewing areas are along JFK Drive (where there is also parking), and it's FREE.

P.S. To any couples out there, pls take your s/o here. Perfect date spot, day or night, amirite? (Thank me later)

Below are some pictures I took during my visit to the Conservatory of Flowers, just in case you needed further convincing to go.