Hannah Harlacher
From Left to Right-Bfizzle(talk | contribs) unknown flower from Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. Photo of San Francisco Botanical Garden cypresses and lily pond, taken June 2005 byUser:Stan Shebs
Make a trip to San Francisco Botanical Gardens
At its entrance, exotic bright flowers, and towering natives cover the gates. Blooming flowers and flourishing succulents guide your way inside. Past the gates green fields stretch on as far as the eye can see with tall trees every couple feet around the pathway edges. The gardens hold some of the most amazing plants I have ever seen.
The drive from school takes less than 15 minutes and the public transportation takes about 25. All you have to do is take 19th avenue towards the park and turn right on Martin Luther King Drive. Once you find Lincoln and 9th look around for parking. You have arrived!
The entrance fee is a measly $7 for the amount of beauty I was able to see. And as a San Francisco State student and San Francisco resident you can enter any day of the week with no charge whatsoever. All you need to get free entry is proof of your residency and a valid ID.
Not only does the Botanical Gardens house exotic and native plants from around the world, it also has a library, plant store, and gift shop. The library hold all kinds of information on the park and plants that live there. The plant shop houses many different natives for a very reasonable price. The gift shop has an excess amount of witty merchandise to remind you of the good times and great adventures you had at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.
Our trip through the Botanical Gardens was cut short for our regular lab class period, but even in the small amount of time we had, I was able to see and explore so much.
Our tour focused on only two small parts of the park. We were guided through the garden of fragrance and ample amounts of flowering plants and leaves filled our noises with sweet smells. We were able to stop and smell and touch many plants. After the fragrance garden we made our way through the ancient plants before we had to go. We walked as a group upon a long winding deck with ferns towering above us. Among the ferns were many small ponds with families of algae and mosses that were quite interesting. On our way out, the class’s favorite was the walk across the bridge over the mucky pond. Giant fish glided across the surface taunting us. Many small pond turtle heads popped up to say goodbye as we made our way towards the gardens exit.
Whether you’re forced by your professor for a Bio class, or wandering aimlessly through Golden Gate Park, take a stop by San Francisco’s botanical gardens. It will definitely be worth your while.
My name is Hannah Harlacher and I am a sophomore at San Francisco State University.
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