Golden Gate Park

My favorite part of San Francisco was the day we spent in Golden Gate Park. Sean and I both love plants, so the first place we visited was the Conservatory of Flowers. Built in 1879, this Victorian greenhouse holds an amazing variety of spectacular plant life. Some of the plants in this exhibit are over a hundred years old. Live butterflies flit through the exhibit helping with pollination and delighting tourists. I especially loved the water lilies. Though we didn’t see it, these enormous water lily pads reportedly can hold the weight of a small child.

The San Francisco Botanical Gardens were amazing as well. Begun in 1937 as a WPA project, this garden is home to over 6,000 species of plants! Not to mention some very bold squirrels! Of course, this Irish girl had to have her picture taken with the very largest species of shamrock she’s ever seen.

The Japanese Tea Garden however, was the highlight. Begun by an Australian in 1894, this intricate garden of paths, ponds and a teahouse features native Japanese and Chinese plants. Hidden throughout its five acres are beautiful sculptures and bridges. An interesting fact: Makato Hagiwara, a Japanese gardener whose family took over the garden from 1895 to 1942, also invented the fortune cookie.

This was our tea—quite reasonably priced, and a lovely respite after all that walking! And do take note of Sean’s fortune—how appropriate!

"You are a bundle of energy, always on the go."
See? ;)

--L