Best time to travel to San Francisco

Magnolias in San Francisco Botanical Garden 2025

Let yourself be swept away by the magnolia’s incredible beauty and fragrance

Best time: mid-January–late March

San Francisco Botanical Garden is praised for one of the world’s largest collections of huge ancient flowering magnolia trees. The garden numbers nearly 100 out of 200 existing species. Gorgeous pink and white magnolia blossoms smell similar to tropical fruits.

Magnolia Bloom Season

The blooming peak in San Francisco begins in mid-January and continues until March. During this time, you can follow the park's map to witness the most beautiful examples of magnolia among one of the biggest collections of this tree. The map starts near the library and winds all the way through the garden, passing the Ancient Plant Garden, Moon Viewing Garden, and other stunning locations. Additionally, the San Francisco Botanical Garden hosts special events during this time, including curator tours.

Magnolia Varieties in the Garden

Actually, 80% of all magnolias are native to Asia. The first magnolia was introduced to the San Francisco Botanical Garden in 1939 by its first director, Eric Walther. He went on planting different species of magnolia. In 1940, a famous Magnolia campbellii appeared there, also named “cup and saucer magnolia,” owing to its flamboyant flowers' shape resembling a cup standing on a saucer.

Tickets & Cost

To witness this wonderful collection of magnolias, you only need to purchase a general admission ticket to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Free admission is available from 7:30 am until 9 am every day. Additionally, you can enter for free on the second Tuesday of the month, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Tickets to SF Botanical Garden cost around $14.75-$20.75 for adults, depending on the day. Senior and youth (12-17) tickets cost $10.75. Children between 5 and 11 years old can enter for $6.75, while younger children can enter for free.

Opening Hours

San Francisco Botanical Garden opens at 7:30 am and closes at 4 pm in January and 5-6 pm in March. The Garden Bookstore and Plant Shop are open every day from 10 am until 4 pm, while the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, boasting numerous pieces of botanical literature, operates from 10 am until 4 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Location & Transportation

San Francisco Botanical Garden is situated on the grounds of the larger Gardens of Golden Gate Park, spanning 1,017 acres (412 ha). The garden itself covers approximately 55 acres (22 ha) and, besides Magnolias, boasts a large selection of cloud forest trees and conifers. Getting to the park is fairly easy since the city has great public transportation. You can either take a bus or subway, lines 5, 7, 44, and 43 in particular, or you can hop on a free Golden Gate Park shuttle, which stops at various points of the park.

Parking

Parking is available in Music Concourse Garage, while the closest street parking spots can be found on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Bowling Green Drive. Note that street parking is fairly limited in this area. Taxi and ride-share apps is also another option, which you can choose.