Gardens and parks - San Francisco bay area
My zen place: San Francisco, San Mateo, Berkeley
From the University of California Berkeley botanical garden to the San Francisco botanical garden, Japanese garden and the San Mateo arboretum, this is a week of mindfulness, joy and happiness 🤗
Nothing like being immersed in nature and appreciating the sky, clouds and our dear mother earth, in all its beauty.
Every step I take, I breathe in mindfulness. I breathe in joy. I breathe in happiness.
Join me on this walk to remember around the San Francisco bay area - San Francisco, San Mateo, and Berkeley.
The Conservatory of Flowers
In the past, I have always walked past but never got in. First time in a decade. And guess what it’s free for SF residents - show residence proof. Now, that is new for me.
From the orchids to the unique plants, I enjoyed my discovery at the conservatory.
Golden Gate Park
The best day is walking along the paths and trails in Golden Gate Park. It rained a bit, but rain or shine, the park is always the place to be. Would be awesome to walk here everyday. This is the best hidden gem of San Francisco. Not everyone gets here or explore all of the Golden Gate park.
SF Japanese Garden
San Francisco Botanical Garden
If you are an early riser, the SF botanical garden is free for Early Entry 7:30am - 9am. I got in just in time and walked to the Main gate. Tickets are valid from 7:30am - 9:00am at the Main Gate ONLY. They are open at 7:30am - 5pm. And walked to my heart’s desire from the redwood trials, the cloud forest to the moon gazing and more in over 50 acres and over 8000 plants from around the world.
The Botanical Garden is free for visitors on the second Tuesday of each month.
Also, got to see 2 blue jays hanging around the herb garden area. Last time I saw a blue jay was in Raleigh, North Carolina.
University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley
My first trip to Berkeley to the UC botanical garden. They have free shuttles from the campus from 10am. I got there earlier so walked around the campus and up the hill.
With a library card, you can access Discover and Go pass to some of the SF bay area attractions. That’s how I came across this gem.
And after many rose gardens around the world, I finally could smell the scent of rose. Most rose gardens are grafted and have lost the scent in the transition. And here, we have damascus rose - just perfect and elegant.
San Mateo Arboretum, Central Park
San Mateo has a few hidden gems from the arboretum, fairy garden, rose garden and the japanese garden. If you are in the peninsula area, do stop by for a stroll in the park or the gardens. It’s totally worth it. I am excited to see the renovation for the fairy garden. Will be back soon.
And as always, be present in this moment.
Enjoy the sounds of birds chirping or the waterfalls.
Each moment is in the here and now. Just be.
