Where To See Spring Flowers in the Bay Area? No. 4 is our Favorite!
Spring flowers have a special place in my heart. So much so that my phone actually has more photos of flowers than anything else. And that’s why Spring is my favorite season! Spring is when we see all the gorgeous flowers and wildflowers in the Bay Area bloom.
The SF Bay Area is home to a stunning array of Spring flowers that bloom in the springtime, painting the landscape in vibrant hues and filling the air with sweet fragrances. With winter’s chill giving way to warmer weather, Mother Nature puts on a pretty aesthetic show across hills and valleys from San Francisco to Monterey. Here’s our list of some of the best places to find Spring flowers in the Bay Area.
Where to find Spring Flowers in the Bay Area
Spring Flowers in the Bay Area Interactive Map
No time to read the full list of Spring flowers in the Bay Area? No worries! Here’s an interactive map for all the locations that you can take on the go!
Click here to get the interactive map
Wild Mustard Superbloom in Half Moon Bay
We witnessed our first super bloom in 2017 and we’ve been going every year since. We’re missing out this year since we’re abroad but this area experiences a spectacular super bloom of wild mustard flowers along Highway 1, creating a vibrant carpet of yellow flowers.
Driving along the winding coast, you’ll be awestruck by the vibrant yellow flower carpets stretching out as far as the eye can see. The wild mustard blooms almost seem unreal sometimes. It’ll feel like you’re driving through a painting, with the bright yellow hues contrasting beautifully against the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. The super bloom is a rare and breathtaking experience and we love that we can take beautiful photos and make a picnic date out of it.
| Flower type: Wild mustard flowers Hours: Dawn to Sunset Entry Fee: $10 |
Tip: If you don’t wish to pay, drive further out on Highway 1 where you’ll see other fields right on the side of the road.
Where To Find Spring Flowers in the SF Bay Area
Hakone Estate and Gardens
This next Spring flower spot was a hidden gem for us. The Hakone Estate and Gardens is one of the oldest Japanese-style gardens in Saratoga where you’ll find lush landscapes, koi ponds, bamboo groves, and a traditional tea house.
Spend a couple of hours wandering the winding paths of this 18-acre traditional Japanese garden, where you’ll see a variety of spring flowers and can even participate in traditional tea ceremonies.
| Flower type: Cherry blossoms, magnolias, plum blossoms, azaleas, rhododendrons, and a bamboo grove Hours: M-F 10 AM to 5 PM and S-S 11 AM–5 PM Entry Fee: Adults $12, Seniors (65+) $10, Children (5 – 17) $8, Children (4 and younger) Free |
SHOP MY WARDROBE
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
This historic garden in Palo Alto has stunning displays of Spring flowers, including roses, irises, camellias, and more. You can take a nice stroll along the serene pathways and enjoy the variety of flowers. You’ll come across a pretty fountain that reminds me of the fountains within Moroccan riads.
The highlight of the garden apart from the flowers is the tearoom. They often host an afternoon tea event called Tea in the Garden where you can create custom tea blends from organic flowers and herbs straight from the garden. The event also features homemade pastries and specialty teas paired with sweet treats. This is high on my list of fun activities to do with friends!
| Flower Type: Roses, irises, camellias, tulips, poppies, bluebells, dahlias Hours: M-Sun7 AM to 7 PM Entry Fee: Free 😍 |
Filoli Historic House & Garden
Filoli is a 16-acre historic country estate with a beautiful garden that has a variety of spring blooms, including tulips, daffodils, cherry blossoms, and more. Filoli Historic House & Garden is surrounded by 654 acres of land and is located in Woodside, California.
Filoli has been featured in several movies one of them being the Wedding Planner. There’s a pretty cool meaning behind the name Filoli. It comes from the first owner’s motto, “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life”.
Although the entry fee is a bit steep, the flowers more than makeup for it. It’s a beautiful place to have brunch with your loved ones or have an intimate get-together with friends.
| Flower Type: Lilacs, fruit blossoms, orchids, wisteria, cherry blossoms, magnolias, citrus blossoms tulips, daffodils Hours: M-Sun 10 AM to 5 PM Entry Fee: Adults $38, Seniors (65+) $36, Child (5-17) $28, Student/Teacher/Military $34, Child (under age 5)- Free |
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is not just any garden; it’s like a mini world tour packed into 55 acres of Golden Gate Park. Picture this: over 8,500 plant species from every corner of the globe, all thriving in one spot.
But here’s the real kicker: this garden isn’t just a mishmash of plants. Nope, it’s carefully divided into different sections, each mimicking the climates and landscapes of far-off lands. You’ve got your Mediterranean vibes, your cozy dwarf conifer forests, and even a mild-temperate climate zone to explore with all types of floral blossoms.
Grab your friends, pack a picnic, and relax under the cherry and magnolia blossom trees.
| Flower type: Rhododendrons, magnolias, cherry blossoms, camellias, lavender, jasmine Hours: M-Sun 7:30 AM to 6 PM Entry Fee: SF Residents: Free and Free before 9 AM at Main Gate. Non-SF residents $14. |
Tip: Go on the 1st Tuesday of the month to get in for free all day.
Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden is right in the heart of Golden Gate Park. This tranquil oasis is a must-visit for anyone craving a moment of Zen amidst the hustle and bustle of San Francisco.
When we first visited the Japanese tea garden, we didn’t expect much at all. To our surprise, we found zen gardens, rock sculptures, cascading waterfalls, and a majestic five-story pagoda towering above the lush greenery.
Start by checking out the front gate, then make your way to the iconic five-story pagoda for some epic photo ops. Take a stroll through the garden, crossing the enchanting Drum Bridge along the way. And don’t forget to visit the Tea House for a taste of some traditional Japanese tea. Expect to spend an hour here.
| Flower type: Cherry blossoms, camellias, ginkgo biloba, azaleas, magnolias, and bamboo Hours: M-Sun 7:30 AM to 6 PM Entry Fee: SF Residents Free, non-SF residents $15. |
Tip: You can get in for free on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9 to 10 AM.
Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is a Victorian greenhouse with beautiful tropical plants and flowers that create great backdrops for photography. They have giant water lilies floating in a pond with ferns hanging down creating a lush jungle vibe.
| Flower type: Large water lilies, rhododendrons, bromeliads, mosses, tree ferns, orchids Hours: TH-T 10 AM to 4 PM, closed on Wednesdays Entry Fee: Non-SF residents $14, Resident Free |
Berkeley Rose Garden
This beautiful rose garden is located in the Berkeley hills and has over 3 acres of roses. There are over 1500 rose bushes and 250 varieties of roses! While enjoying the fragrance and beauty of the roses, take in the stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
We love that the garden is free with a picnic area, footbridges, hiking trails, an amphitheater, a Redwood pergola, and a pretty ornamental pool.
| Flower type: all types of roses 🌹 Hours: M-S 6 AM to 10 PM Entry Fee: Free 😍 |
Spring Flowers in the Bay Area: UC Berkely Campus
The UC Berkeley campus blooms with cherry blossoms and other flowers in different parts of the campus during Spring. The landscaped gardens and cherry blossom trees create a colorful backdrop to the historic buildings and academic atmosphere lending to an academia core x spring vibes collab. I’m all in!
| Flower type: Tulips, daffodils, cherry blossoms Hours: Campus hours; varies Entry Fee: Free 😍 |
Marcom Rose Garden
The Marcom Rose Garden is a vintage garden that opened in the late 1920s. It has almost 8 acres of exotic roses and creepers and one of Oakland’s prettiest gardens. The design was inspired by Italian gardens. It has cascading fountains, and winding trails, and makes the perfect spot for photography. The Spring flowers here are gorgeous and this is one garden you don’t want to miss!
| Flower type: Roses 🌹 Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM Entry Fee: Free 😍 |
Lake Merrit
Lake Merritt is a large lagoon in Oakland surrounded by parks and gardens. It really shines when Spring flowers bloom and the area is surrounded by giant cherry blossoms, wildflowers, rhododendrons and water lilies. Mid to late April is perfect for a picnic in the park under the cherry blossoms.
| Flower type: Cherry blossoms, daffodils and narcissus Hours: M-S 6 AM to 9 PM Entry Fee: Free 😍 |
Get ready to dive into a floral frenzy in the SF Bay Area this Spring! Think epic super blooms along Highway 1 and Insta-worthy gardens in San Francisco – we’re talking next-level color explosions! Whether you’re a total plant nerd or just in it for the ‘gram, there’s something here to make your heart bloom.
Imagine strolling through meadows in Sonoma Valley or getting all the zen vibes of the Japanese Tea Garden – it’s like stepping into a flower-filled dream. And if you’re thinking of venturing out of the Bay Area, don’t forget to read our guide on the Best Places To See Wildflowers in California.
So grab your camera (or your phone, let’s be real) and let’s go explore! Trust me, this floral adventure is one for the books. And remember, wherever you go, don’t forget to wander! 🌸
