Cherry Blossoms

All visitors are required to reserve timed tickets in advance.  

Timed tickets are free for San Francsico residents, veterans, Museums For All participants, and members. 

I’m a member, do I need to reserve tickets in advance? 

Reserving a member ticket in advance is highly encouraged as the walk-up line is likely to be long. Please bring your membership card to present upon entry. 

Reserving a ticket in advance provides the best experience. However, members may join the walk-up line at any time and present their membership card for entry. 

Membership cards will be checked upon entry with or without timed tickets. 

Book tickets: 

Online at gggp.org/cherryblossoms 

Please note: On rare occasions, museum tickets may sell out during special events. For more information, contact membership@gggp.org. 

I’m a San Francisco resident, do I need to reserve a ticket in advance? How do I prove I live in San Francisco? 

Yes, San Francisco residents must reserve a free timed ticket in advance. Reserving a ticket is helpful so we can send event specific information to you via email. 

Residents must provide proof of San Francisco residency when entering the garden. A current ID or Driver License showing a San Francisco address or a current utility bill or lease/rental agreement showing name and San Francisco address with valid photo ID. 

I’m a U.S. Military/Veteran, do I need to reserve a ticket in advance? 

Yes, U.S. Military/Veterans must reserve a free timed ticket in advance. Reserving a ticket is helpful so we can send event specific information to you via email. 

U.S. Military/Veterans must provide proof of verification when entering the garden. 

I’m eligible for Museums For All (SNAP/EBT), do I need to reserve a ticket in advance? 

Yes, Museums For All participants (SNAP/EBT) must reserve a free timed ticket in advance. Reserving a ticket is helpful so we can send event specific information to you via email. 

Please bring your benefits card and photo ID for verification when entering the garden. See answers for San Francisco residents above. 

With a timed ticket, you reserve a 60-minute window of time for entry into the Japanese Tea Garden. Once you have entered, you are welcome to spend as long as you like within the garden. Reentry is not allowed after entrance. 

E.g. You purchased a timed ticket for 1pm. You may enter the Japanese Tea Garden anytime between 1pm and 1:59pm. 

Yes, Gardens Pass holders may use their pass to see cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden. Please join the walk-up line at any time and present your Gardens Pass upon entry. 

A Gardens Pass allows a visitor to enjoy unlimited visits to all three Gardens for 3 days for the price of two general admission tickets. Gardens Passes are valid for 3 days upon initial redemption date (i.e. redeem on May 1 and your pass is valid through May 3), so start dates should be selected carefully as tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Get a Gardens Pass  

Stay tuned to our social media channels for bloom updates every week. 

Strollers are not recommended in the Japanese Tea Garden due to narrow pathways and bridges throughout the garden. 

We invite you to visit the Tea House inside the Japanese Tea Garden for a meditative cup of tea and popular Japanese refreshments. No outside food or drinks are allowed inside the Japanese Tea Garden. 

Yes! While waiting for the perfect shot, please do not block pathways or views of others. We do not allow drones or props. 

For daytime shoots with a maximum of five people (including the photographer), a permit is not required. See General Photography Rules. 

If your shoot involves more than five people or is for commercial purposes, a permit through San Francisco Recreation and Parks is required for exterior commercial shoots, and large non-commercial shoots depending on the scope of the production. Commercial photography or filming is any photography or filming that will be used for commercial purposes, or for which the photographer or crew is being paid. 

General Photography Rules 

As the Japanese Tea Garden is open to the public and has narrow pathways, we have the following rules for photography: 

• All bags or equipment must remain on a person in your party at all times 

• No music or amplified sound 

• Bags or equipment cannot be left in pathways or on benches for any period of time 

• Shoes must be worn at all times 

• No nudity or lewd activity or behavior 

• No movement of plants or Gardens property allowed 

• No holding of crowd or prevention of other guests to roam freely