San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco, California, United States

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The San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park, covers 55 acres and opened in 1940 after initial plans were laid out in the 1880s by park supervisor John McLaren but were delayed due to lack of funding until Helene Strybing left a major bequest in 1927.

Planting began in 1937, supported by Works Progress Administration funds and local donations, leading to the creation of a diverse living museum showcasing about 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. The garden's layout reflects various global habitats such as Mediterranean forests, cloud forests, and deserts, including unique features like a Moon Viewing Garden and the largest public collection of magnolias in North America.

The conservatory, one of the park's oldest structures, holds tropical, rare, and aquatic plants including the giant Victoria regia water lily. It serves as both an educational institution and a serene space for visitors, continuously evolving with new additions and renovations to highlight botanical diversity and plant conservation.