After hanging around in Haight-Ashbury, I decided that I needed a nature break. I caught a cab and headed for The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

The Japanese Tea Garden is a really interesting place. It is filled with small zen-like gardens and huge, red pagodas. It was a definite change of pace from the shops I had just left.

Entrance to the garden costs about $5-$6. It is open during the summer until around 6:00 pm. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to tour the gardens, but we could have spent longer. The garden is set up around a large winding loop. By following the loop it leads you around to each of the small garden areas. By following the path you will discover a beautiful wooden bridge, a very large pagoda, a tea house, and numerous other visual delights.

In addition to being gorgeous, the tea garden is extremely peaceful. You can feel the tranquility, which is a marked contrast to the streets just beyond it's walls. People tended to keep their voices low and move in groups throughout the garden.

The garden is extremely well marked and each exhibit has a plaque explaining the meanings and history of it. These plaques are written in both English and Japanese. The plaques definitely added to the ambiance of the gardens.
In addition to the gardens, there is an authentic tea house located in the gardens. The waitresses wear beautiful kimonos. Since I'm not much of a fan of tea I didn't go in, but it seemed really neat from a distance.

This is definitely an attraction worth checking out and it's reasonably priced.

I am often amazed at the little pieces of paradise that can be found in large cities. These are the special places where the city lifestyle disappears into the beauty of nature, serenity, and artwork. As a tourist on vacation, those are the ideal spots to rest during an arderous day of sight-seeing, schedules, and entertainments.

One place not to miss in San Francisco is the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park. The sheer majesty of the intricately designed gardens, full of historic significance, is enough to amaze the casual bypasser, but to go inside is to walk the trails into fantasy.

At the entrance you are introduced to Japanese art and architecture and must pay a meager fee to enter into this avenue of delight. Once inside, the riots of rich purple, red, and yellow flowers are precisely balanced by soft whites and blues and the verdant greens of the well-tended plants. Meandering pathways centered around a reflecting pool have broad thorofares for groups as well as small hidden knooks and benches where lovers can steal a romantic kiss without being disturbed. The air is filled with the perfumes of flowering plants and the teas brewing in small personal teapots in the tea house.

Overlooking another reflecting pond the tea house is serviced by women in authentic Japanese attire and the feel of the natural world is represented with wooden stools, a rustic structure, and an amazing view.

There is of course a gift shop where one can purchase a variety of things from postcards and magnets to paper fans, wall coverings, and candies. The wonderfully unique thing about the gift shop was the seed packets you could purchase, to take a little bit of this paradise home with you. Overall, I would rate the Japanese Tea Gardens with all the stars avaliable and would like to announce that I have never seen a more spectacular place to hold a wedding.

Part of the Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is perhaps the most beautiful and serene part of San Francisco. The water in the garden is the "ying" and reflects ever-changing life, the stones are the "yang" of the garden, and represent either mountains or islands.

There is great curved bridge, which you have to cross. You'll definitely feel as if you've been to Japan, but without the lengthy plane ride.

When you've finished your tea and exploring the garden, don't miss the Strybing Arboretum or the Conservatory of Flowers while in the park!

The Tea Garden is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

The beautiful Japanese Tea Garden located in the center of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is one of my favorite places. Painstakingly maintained and gorgeous in every aspect, this serene garden oasis provides the perfect respite from a hectic day. While the garden can be over-run with tourists during the busier seasons, those lucky enough to enjoy its beauty during the off-season are in for a real treat. Be sure to savor the garden slowly -- I think too many people plow through it and miss out on its exquisite beauty.

The oldest Japanese garden in the United States, the Tea Garden features a tea house that overlooks a small pond. A variety of teas (rice and green tea among them) and Japanese cookies can be ordered here for $3 per person (and it is well worth it!). The views of the garden from the tea house are wonderful.

The garden has several architectural features that enhance the beauty of the landscape. The high, graceful arch of the Moon Bridge reflects in the pond below to form a perfect circle. A towering red pagoda and Shinto gate also grace the garden. A large statue of Buddha and several large lanterns are placed among the network of winding paths. The horticulture is spectacular, and the garden is carefully planned so that plants are in bloom year-round.

A visit to the Japanese Tea Garden is a peaceful and most enjoyable experience. There is a small admission fee to enter the garden - $2.50/adults. The garden is open 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.