A few weeks ago, I tagged along with the HH on a business trip to San Francisco and one afternoon we decided to check out the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate park.
It was well worth the $8 admission fee-not only are the grounds beautiful, but the surrounding area as well.
It’s set on five acres, and seriously such a relaxing stroll. In traditional Japanese garden fashion, it is broken into several smaller sections. 
There are koi ponds, zen gardens, and stepping stones and bridges leading you around the garden.
The gardens were originally designed as a fair exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, but when the fair ended, a Japanese landscaper named Makoto Hagiwara struck an agreement with the park superintendent to expand and maintain the traditional Japanese-style garden.
Sadly, Hagiwara was moved to an internment camp during the war, and never did get to return to see his work in the garden.
The gardens feature a tea house, so we decided to stop in for some miso soup. It was delicious even though it was 80 degrees out. 😉
I personally have never met a garden I can’t appreciate, so I might be biased, but if you are in the area, make sure to stop in.
~Mavis
Japanese Tea Garden – San Francisco
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco Golden Gate Park
(415) 752-1171
Vy says
Have you checked out Kubota Gardens, just south of Seattle? Gorgeous and free, and sounds like they have a lot of similarities. I’m long overdue for a walk there myself.
Mavis Butterfield says
No, but it’s on my list!!