Join us for a day at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park where we will take a walking tour through the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Garden with pit stops along the way. Through the tour we will see Signature Magnolias, discuss power tool electrification, learn how to develop engaging interpretation stations, tour new construction in historic gardens and more!

The Gardens of Golden Gate Park is a public-private partnership cooperatively managed by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society who expanded their partnership in July 2022 to include the Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden. The Gardens are charismatic icons of the city and welcome over 1.2 million visitors a year making the Gardens of Golden Gate Park among the most visited Public Gardens in the country.

Bring your sun hat, walking shoes, and wear layers for your comfort as we will spend most of the day out in the park. We look forward to welcoming you on Monday, March 4th!

Schedule of Events
Monday, March 4, 2024

Start at The San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum

9:00am – Check In & Mingle

9:30am – Welcome in Celebration Garden
Stephanie Linder, CEO & Joe Rothleutner, Garden Director

9:45am – 10:45am – Plant Collections and Signature Magnolia Tour
Ryan Guillou, Director of Collections & Conservation

10:45am – 11:30am – Botanical Garden Nursery Tour and Electric Power Tool Conversion

11:45am – 12:45pm – Boxed Lunch and Networking

Transition to Conservatory of Flowers & Orchid Pavilion

1:00pm – 2:00pm – Presentations & Discussion

  • Apprentice Program and Horticulture Workforce Development
  • Rebranding
    Brendan Lange, Director of Marketing & Communications

  • Interpretive Planning
    Jamie Chan, Director of Programs & Partnerships

  • Developing Interpretive Materials
    Sarah Sawtelle, Manager of Engagement

2:00pm – 2:45pm – Conservatory Tour
Featuring interpretation using both docent lead stations and use of ephemeral signage.

Transition to Japanese Tea Garden

3:00pm – 3:45pm – Tour and Pagoda Landscape
Tour to feature garden’s rich history and the renovated 1915 Japanese Pagoda and new Hoichi Kurisu Pagoda Plaza.

Optional Happy Hour

4:00pm – Nearby Location TBD