Best viewing time at San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG) is October — November (for updates on peak times, visitors are encouraged to follow the Garden on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)

Nothing signals the change of seasons quite like fall foliage. As the air gets crisp and the shadows get longer, the lovely sight of a canopy of yellow, red, orange and magenta leaves reminds us of the cycle of life.

At SFBG, visitors will find some delightful splashes of autumn color across its 55 acres as the ginkgo trees turn to bright gold, the dogwoods become a deep red-purple, and the native vine maples take on a fiery tangerine glow. A particular highlight is the Persian ironwood tree, whose leaves become a stunning rainbow of variable shades, from yellow to burgundy. Large deciduous shrubs like the smoke bush also add striking seasonal color to the landscape.

One particularly interesting Japanese maple cultivar is called 'Sango kaku,' known commonly as Japanese coral bark maple.  After the leaves turn gold and drop in fall, the bark and twigs take on a brilliant coral-red tinge that grows deeper as winter advances.

WHERE:                   
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

HOURS:
Open 365 days a year at 7:30 AM. Last entry changes with the seasons as follows: 5 PM October – early November; 4 PM 1st Sunday in November – January.

COST:                        
FREE with regular admission as follows:
San Francisco Residents: FREE with proof of residency
Non-residents: $8 general, $6 youth 12-17 and seniors; $2 children 5-11; children 4 and under FREE. Families of 2 adults and one or more child pay just $17.

The Garden is free daily 7:30-9am and all day on second Tuesdays of the month

INFORMATION:    
www.SFBotanicalGarden.org, (415) 661-1316

PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES:

Children's Story Time in the Library
Autumn Colors & Celebrations: Sundays, October 2 & 16
Special Halloween Story Time: Sunday, October 30
Harvest Season: Sundays, November 8 & 2210:30–11:30am
FREE (admission required for Garden walks following story readings)

Bean Sprouts Family Days
Saturdays, Now-October 29, 1-4pm
FREE with regular admission

Journey out to the Children's Garden to enjoy hands-on outdoor fun! Create colorful crafts with flowers, help weed and water the garden, read a book or play a nature game with Garden staff and teen interns. Suitable for families with children aged 3-10.

San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park with entrances on 9th Ave at Lincoln Way and on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive off the Music Concourse, is open 365 days a year at 7:30 AM. Last entry changes with the seasons as follows: 5 PM October – early November; 4 PM 1st Sunday in November – January; 5 PM February – early March; 6 PM 2nd Sunday in March – September. Admission for San Francisco residents (with proof of residence, e.g., CA ID with SF address, or photo ID and utility bill) is FREE. Admission for non-residents is $8 general, $6 youth 12-17 and seniors; $2 children 5-11; children 4 and under FREE. Families of 2 adults and one or more child pay just $17. Admission is FREE to all visitors from 7:30 to 9 AM. The public should call (415) 661-1316 or visit www.sfbotanicalgarden.org for more information.