FAQ

From October 1 though May 31, the Garden is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From June 1 through September 30, the Garden is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Garden is only closed on these three days: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

No. Admission to the Garden is free.

No. Parking at the Garden is free.

The AC Transit 65 bus stops at the intersection of Grizzly Peak Blvd. and Shasta Road. From there, it is a half-mile downhill walk to the Garden. Because bus routes and schedules are subject to change, we recommend you check the AC Transit website or call 511 or 817-1717 for current information.

The Garden was built into a canyon in 1940, and much of it is on steep terrain with narrow paths. However, in recent years, the Garden staff has endeavored to create premium displays along fairly level or gently sloping paths. These displays can be reached by most wheelchairs, but it is still advisable to have an attendant. Even paths that are level or that slope gently may have varying surfaces, some of which may be challenging to some wheelchairs. Improvements to help more wheelchairs reach more of the Garden are planned, but they will depend on future funding.

The Garden is open rain or shine. It is beautiful at all times of year and in all kinds of weather. In the rain, manzanita bark glistens, the creek and water channels roar, and mist makes the groves of trees appear mysterious and magical. Bundle up in waterproof clothing and shoes, as umbrellas are difficult under low-hanging branches or on paths between tall shrubs.

The public bathroom facilities for the Garden are located in the parking lot on Wildcat Canyon Road across the street from the main entrance to the Garden.

There are no formal or reservable picnic areas, but there are places to picnic informally in the Garden. Although we do not have picnic tables, there are numerous benches and lawn areas around the Garden. All visitors must pack out their trash after picnics and events.

At present, the Garden is open only to small groups, that are subject to Covid-19 Guidelines. All groups must follow our Guidelines for Visitors.

For the latest information and requirements for weddings in the Garden, call (510) 544-3169.

We do not allow any of the above activities in the Garden. Skateboards, and rollerblades are also prohibited. Because the Garden is a living museum of plants, many of which are rare and fragile, we ask that you follow our rules, which are designed to protect the plants and assure visitors’ health and safety. See Guidelines for Visitors for more information.

You can lock your bicycle to the bike rack next to the parking lot. We do not recommend leaving unlocked bicycles unattended in the Garden.

Due to its small size and staff, the Garden does not have a gift shop.

Other than the four drinking fountains located in the Shasta-Klamath, Redwood Forest, Franciscan, and Desert sections of the Garden, we do not offer any food or drink. The nearest food concessions are the Grizzly Grill at the Tilden Park Golf Course (open year-round) and the snack stand at the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round (open seasonally). You are welcome to bring food into the Garden. All visitors must pack out their trash after picnics and events.

The Wildcat Gorge Trail leading to Lake Anza is not accessible from inside the Garden. However, it can be reached from a trailhead just outside the Garden on Anza View Road beyond the Brazil building. Consult the detailed Tilden Park-south map for a view of the trail.

We welcome artists and photographers to use the Garden for non-commercial purposes. We ask only that you follow our Guidelines for Visitors and take care not to step or sit in plant beds.

Use of the Garden for any commercial purpose is allowed only with a written permit from the East Bay Regional Park District and may require payment of a fee. For more information, contact the East Bay Regional Park District Public Affairs Department at (510) 544-2200.

We offer free, docent-led public tours of the Garden on Saturdays at 2 pm, Sundays at 11 am and 2 pm and these holidays at 2 pm – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, César Chávez’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Admission Day, and Veterans Day. Also see Free Weekend and Holiday Tours.

East Bay Regional Park District naturalists also conduct occasional programs in the Garden. Watch for their programs in the Park District publication Regional in Nature or visit the East Bay Regional Park District website for information about these programs.

All docent-led tours of the Garden are free.

Our weekend tours are suitable for people of all ages. Our docents are trained to lead tours that are enjoyable for children as well as adults.

It is not necessary to sign up for regular weekend tours. Just be at the Tour meeting place at the appropriate time.

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden was founded on Jan. 1, 1940.

The Garden is approximately 10 acres in size.

The Garden is owned and operated by the East Bay Regional Park District, a special-purpose district that operates the largest urban park system in the United States. The East Bay Regional Park District is a public agency.

California has nine species of native roses and we grow them throughout the Garden. However, we do not have a formal rose garden. Formal public rose gardens in our area include the City of Berkeley Rose Garden, the Morcom Rose Garden, and the Garden of Old Roses at the University of California Botanical Garden.

We have a fine collection of desert plants that includes a number of species of cacti. The University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley has a large cactus collection.

California is unique in the world in its diversity of habitats, topography, and climates. In some parts of the state, annual rainfall is less than 10 inches a year and plants native to these areas are tolerant of prolonged summer drought. In other areas, rainfall is much more plentiful and fog drip can contribute the equivalent of several additional inches of rain during the summer. The Garden’s collection includes plants from many different parts of the state. Plants from areas with more summer moisture or cooler temperatures than those in our Berkeley hills location need supplemental water in the summer to survive. Other plants need supplemental water because our clay soil limits the depth of their root systems, or because they grow at high elevation in the wild and need to be kept cool in our warmer climate. In addition, we water some plants that are adapted to survive summer drought by drying or going dormant to keep them looking fresh for our visitors.

Yes. For details,  see Plant & Seed Sales.

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, the prices of our plants are quite reasonable compared to commercial nurseries. Our selection of California native plants is very broad and includes a number of species that are not available anywhere else.

Because of concerns of Phytophthora and the best practices for managing it, the Garden cannot accept pots, even if they came from the Garden.

Native Here Nursery, a project of the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, is a volunteer-run, nonprofit nursery specializing in plants native to Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Native Here Nursery is located on Golf Course Road across from the entrance to the Tilden Park Golf Course. Native Here Nursery is not affiliated with the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

• • One director
  • One supervisor, who also gardens
  • Four gardeners
  • One senior office assistant
  • Two interpretive student aides (rotating, temporary positions)
  • Two student laborers during the summer (temporary positions)
  • Numerous volunteers. For details, see Volunteer Opportunities.

Jobs at the Garden are filled through the Human Resources Department of the East Bay Regional Park District. To learn more about job openings and the application process, visit the East Bay Regional Park District website or call the Park District office at 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757).

Unfortunately, the small size of the Garden’s staff does not permit us to offer regular internships. However, we would be glad to talk with students about projects they wish to do that involve work in the Garden. The Garden has two interpretive student aide positions. These part-time, temporary jobs are much like an internship. Contact the Garden at (510) 544-3169 or bgarden@ebparks.org for more information.

There are a number of different ways volunteers can support or work in the Garden. If you are interested in volunteering, visit our Volunteer page or contact the Garden at (510) 544-3169 or bgarden@ebparks.org for more information.

The Garden is operated by the East Bay Regional Park District, which provides its primary funding. The East Bay Regional Park District is in turn funded through property tax revenues approved by the voters of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and through fees, grants, and bonds. Supplemental funding for the Garden is provided by our plant sales, through fundraising by the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, and by direct donations to the Garden and to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden Endowment.

There are a number of ways to make financial contributions to the Garden, including direct donations, bequests, gifts in honor or in memory of someone, donations to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden Endowment, and donations to the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden. For more information about donations, visit our Support the Garden page or contact the Garden at (510) 544-3169 or bgarden@ebparks.org.

Visit our Friends page for information about joining.

The Friends Leadership Council normally meets on the third Thursday of every other month at 1:00 p.m. in the Garden’s Visitor Center.  If you wish to attend, contact the Garden at (510) 544-3169 or bgarden@ebparks.org for more information.

You can find out about doing volunteer work for the Friends by sending email to the Friends at info@nativeplants.org or calling the Garden at (510) 544-3169. The Friends welcome volunteers to help with various short-term or long-term projects, including fundraising, event planning, education, and publicity.

See the Publications page for details.

Please refer to The Four Seasons page for details.

Most back issues are available on the Manzanita page.

The Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden organization offers fun and informative classes, field trips, and workshops on botany, natural history, gardening, art, photography, and garden crafts. Visit our Classes page for more information.

Visit our Wayne Roderick Lectures page for current information.

We do not allow collecting of anything in the Garden, without special permission.

We welcome research projects at the Garden provided they are compatible with Garden operations and practices. Please contact the Garden’s director or supervisor at 510-544-3169 or bgarden@ebparks.org to discuss your project in advance.