Park & garden · San Francisco
Japanese Tea Garden: free entry days, tickets & hours
The oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S., in Golden Gate Park: pagoda, koi ponds, drum bridge, tea house and cherry blossoms in spring.
Independent guide, not the official Japanese Tea Garden website. Official links are under Sources.
Japanese Tea Garden is free today, 09:00–10:00.
- Also free: San Francisco residents, every day; U.S. veterans and currently serving military; active-duty military (counted as veterans by the Gardens); SNAP/EBT recipients, up to four people (Museums for All).
- The garden says all visitors must reserve a timed entry slot in advance.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree hour for everyone: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10am · 09:00–10:00 | everyone | — | Yes |
| Free forFree for San Francisco residents, every day | San Francisco residents | Proof of residency: a California driver's license or ID with a San Francisco address, or a recent utility bill or lease plus photo ID; a photo on your phone is accepted. | No |
| Free forFree for U.S. veterans and currently serving military | veterans | The Gardens define a veteran as anyone currently serving in the active military, naval, air or space service, or discharged other than dishonorably. | No |
| Free forFree for active-duty military (counted as veterans by the Gardens) | military members and families | Part of the Gardens' veteran definition; bring military ID. | No |
| Free forFree for SNAP/EBT recipients, up to four people (Museums for All) | EBT cardholders (Museums for All) | Special exhibitions, events and programs still cost full price. | No |
Calendar
Free days at Japanese Tea Garden
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · today · 09:00–10:00
- FRI30OCTFriday, 30 October 2026 · in 2 days · 09:00–10:00
- MON2NOVMonday, 2 November 2026 · in 5 days · 09:00–10:00
- WED4NOVWednesday, 4 November 2026 · in 7 days · 09:00–10:00
- FRI6NOVFriday, 6 November 2026 · in 9 days · 09:00–10:00
- MON9NOVMonday, 9 November 2026 · in 12 days · 09:00–10:00
157 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–18:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–18:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–18:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–18:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–18:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–18:00 |
| Mon | 09:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–17:00 |
Open daily from 9am. Last entry 5:30pm March-October and 4:30pm November-February; the garden closes 30 minutes after last entry.
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Japanese Tea Garden
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
- de Youngde Young Museum: Entry Ticketfrom $25 · 0.2 km
- San Francisco Botanical GardenGardens of Golden Gate Park Pass (3-day entry to the Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers)0.2 km
- California Academy of SciencesSan Francisco: California Academy of Sciences Entry Ticketfrom $49 · 0.3 km
FAQ
Japanese Tea Garden: common questions
Is Japanese Tea Garden free?
Japanese Tea Garden is free for everyone hour for everyone: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10am. Also free: San Francisco residents, every day; U.S. veterans and currently serving military; active-duty military (counted as veterans by the Gardens); SNAP/EBT recipients, up to four people (Museums for All).
When is Japanese Tea Garden free?
Free hour for everyone: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10am. The next free date is Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
Who gets free entry to Japanese Tea Garden?
San Francisco residents — proof of residency: a California driver's license or ID with a San Francisco address, or a recent utility bill or lease plus photo ID; a photo on your phone is accepted.. Veterans — the Gardens define a veteran as anyone currently serving in the active military, naval, air or space service, or discharged other than dishonorably.. Military members and families — part of the Gardens' veteran definition; bring military ID.. EBT cardholders (Museums for All) — special exhibitions, events and programs still cost full price..
Do I need to book for free entry to Japanese Tea Garden?
The garden says all visitors must reserve a timed entry slot in advance.
What are Japanese Tea Garden's opening hours?
Mar–Oct: daily 09:00–18:00. Nov–Feb: daily 09:00–17:00.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Japanese Tea Garden
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Sources
Where this comes from
- gggp.org/tickets/ · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.