Park & garden · San Francisco
San Francisco Botanical Garden: free entry days, tickets & hours
55 acres of gardens in Golden Gate Park with thousands of plant species, including cloud forest, magnolias and a redwood grove.
Independent guide, not the official San Francisco Botanical Garden website. Official links are under Sources.
San Francisco Botanical Garden is free today, 07:30–09:00.
- 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).
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree for everyone every morning, 7:30-9am · 07:30–09:00 | everyone | — | No |
| Free dayFree for everyone on the second Tuesday of every month | everyone | — | No |
| Free dayFree for everyone on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day | everyone | — | No |
| 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 San Francisco Botanical Garden
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · today · 07:30–09:00
- THU29OCTThursday, 29 October 2026 · tomorrow · 07:30–09:00
- FRI30OCTFriday, 30 October 2026 · in 2 days · 07:30–09:00
- SAT31OCTSaturday, 31 October 2026 · in 3 days · 07:30–09:00
- SUN1NOVSunday, 1 November 2026 · in 4 days · 07:30–09:00
- MON2NOVMonday, 2 November 2026 · in 5 days · 07:30–09:00
365 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
Open daily from 7:30am. The garden closes one hour after last entry, which changes with the season: 6pm from the 2nd Sunday in March to September; 5pm in February to the 2nd Saturday of March and October to the 1st Saturday of November; 4pm from the 1st Sunday in November through January.
1199 9th Avenue, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: San Francisco Botanical 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
- Japanese Tea GardenGardens of Golden Gate Park Pass (3-day entry to the Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers)0.2 km
- California Academy of SciencesSan Francisco: California Academy of Sciences Entry Ticketfrom $49 · 0.4 km
- de Youngde Young Museum: Entry Ticketfrom $25 · 0.4 km
FAQ
San Francisco Botanical Garden: common questions
Is San Francisco Botanical Garden free?
San Francisco Botanical Garden is free for everyone every morning, 7:30-9am, on the second Tuesday of every month and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 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 San Francisco Botanical Garden free?
Free for everyone every morning, 7:30-9am and Free for everyone on the second Tuesday of every month. The next free date is Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
Who gets free entry to San Francisco Botanical 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..
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about San Francisco Botanical 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.