by Amy B.
Member since:
January 4, 2007

Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park

May 27, 2007 05:39 PM EDT (Updated: May 30, 2007 11:48 AM EDT)
views: 96 | comments: 17

When visiting a friend in the San Francisco area she insisted that we go to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I love gardens, and I had no clue as to what a great treasure this garden is. This five-acre garden was begun in 1894 and is full of winding paths. There are many ponds, sculptures, and bridges hidden throughout and just waiting to be discovered.

 

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I fell in love with this tree and loved the structure of it's branches.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Isn't this bridge awesome? You could also climb over it, which we did. It was very steep and a challenge for my short legs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This pond with the swimming ducks was very peaceful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This pagoda was high up on a hill and a waterfall trickled down to the pond below. It was stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If I didn't know any better, I would have thought I had been instantly transported to Japan.

 

 

 
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Comments: 17

Kjersti W. May 27, 2007, 5:44pm EDT
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Love the photo of the bridge.
wiaka's just ... curious May 27, 2007, 6:20pm EDT
Nice pictorial.

Very beautiful. Did they have any fish in the ponds?

You climbed that bridge; what you do slide down the other side?

Blessings.
Lisa J May 27, 2007, 7:03pm EDT
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing a wonderful spot with me. :-)
Amy B. May 27, 2007, 7:25pm EDT
Wiaka - Yes, I believe they also did have some koi in those ponds. And yes, I practically slid down the other side of the bridge. The steps were basically two-by-fours nailed to the surface of the bridge, so there wasn't much of a ledge to put your foot on when climbing up one side or down the other. It was a real challenge and they weren't spaced very close together, which added to the difficulty.
elizabeth e. May 27, 2007, 7:57pm EDT
I remember the first time Papa took me here...a year after we were married his folks paid for our trip down from Alaska to SF where they lived. This garden was so enchanting, I fell in love with SF the moment I saw the bridge. Then the cable cars...I hooted and hollered the whole time....I think Papa finally realized what kind of woman he married. Thanks so much for posting...haven't seen that beautiful city since '82 when Bill's folks moved from SF to Tacoma, Washington to be near his sister.
Amy B. May 27, 2007, 8:51pm EDT
Elizabeth - I'm glad my posting brought back some good memories for you. It's nice to know that others have also fallen in love with that bridge. :-)
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven May 27, 2007, 9:06pm EDT
I love this garden. It was one of my stops when in San Francisco (it was free then; is it still free to go in now?). Thank you so much for bringing back the memories. It's worth a stop for anyone making their way through the city! I also went to the lake nearby in Golden Gate Park and rented a row boat. I took lots of shots while out on the lake I'll have to dig up and share here some time.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven May 27, 2007, 9:07pm EDT
By the way, your photos are great. Very nicely composed.
Amy B. May 27, 2007, 9:28pm EDT
Jennifer - Glad you liked the photos. The garden is no longer free and I can't remember what we paid to get in, but I think it was only a few dollars and well worth it in my opinion!
Diana Raabe May 27, 2007, 9:35pm EDT
Gorgeous photos! That bridge is really something and I'm not sure I'm up for it but I sure love the picture. The garden looks undoubtedly worth paying to see.
Gretchen Lee Bourquin May 28, 2007, 8:07am EDT
Very cool-- if I'm ever in San Francisco I will have to check it out. Cheaper than a trip to Japan, I'd imagine
Amy B. May 28, 2007, 8:21am EDT
Yes, this garden was worth paying to see. We spent well over an hour just walking through the paths and enjoying the gardens. And it's a lot cheaper than going to Japan, and a much shorter flight too!
Marian L May 28, 2007, 5:01pm EDT
Great shots. Looks like a beautiful place to visit.
Pat M. May 28, 2007, 7:40pm EDT
The Japanese are past masters of aesthetics, aren't they?
Laura C. May 29, 2007, 11:21am EDT
Those are amazing photos! I want to visit that garden now!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies May 29, 2007, 5:19pm EDT
What a beautiful place.
Amy B. May 30, 2007, 11:51am EDT
It is a great place to visit. It's so serene in there - words can't describe it. I hope you all get a chance to visit there yourself one day.

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