I would say this are cool-op gardening plots not actual visitation gardens, the bonsai garden was nice but had no bathroom :(

I grew up in Oakland and used to love visiting with my parents on Sabbath afternoons. We are taking a class this year in scientific photography and we absolutely love it !! Scott and his daughter have taught my son and I immeasurable concepts and techniques in this field and The Gardens have definitely been explored like I never dreamed I could have!! We are now officially published photographers!! If you wanna check us out: steamgraphic.com happy trekking!!

Very beautiful, well-maintained park. We came for the bonsai garden, but loved the palmiterium(collection of large # of species of palm trees). If you drive, you will have to pay $4 for parking.

This is one of the best places in Oakland. A hidden gem that most folks dont know about. It houses the oldest bonsai tree in America!

I love the Bonsai Garden was so fabulous great looking trees unbelievable Japanese culture and the docent were upstanding so much information they gave us had a great day

Nice park, lovely gardens.

Beautiful hidden gem in Oakland! I love the serene setting and unique variety of garden styles. The sensory garden is full of aromatic herbs to smell and touch, it’s a favorite! The Japanese garden is peaceful. Redwoods, succulents, palms, and a butterfly & bee gardens too. I saw an entire colony of monarch butterflies resting in the trees here, it was amazing. I come here all the time.

Awesome city owned garden but put together mostly by volunteers and kept together with city funds along with donations. Nice place to bring the kids or a stroll date. A bonsai garden is hidden inside the middle.

Beautiful views on lake Merritt, good place for a picnic or get-together keeping in mind six foot distance is best and the floral delight will make you stay

Peaceful place to relax... if you come to the park after 4:30 or so, there is no parking fees. :)Public washrooms will be locked around 6 pm.Bonsai garden closes at 4pm.

Main garden gates closes at 5 and the bonsai garden closes at 3. Free to get in and gorgeous.

It is one of my granddaughters and I favorite places to visitEndlessly fascinatingAlways peaceful

Oh, the palm tree garden is the most delightful assortment of palm trees I have ever seen. Coconuts also growing here as well as fruit on these trees that are so delicious. Great landscaping ideas in this garden Benches available for restful stops to relax in the shade and enjoy the tropical surroundings.

I want to express my gratitude to the dozens of community volunteers who work trying to replace the efforts of the 16 professional gardeners which we as a city used to hire to maintain these gorgeous Gardens located here at Lake Merritt. What professional nail supervises the bunch of us, and hundreds of visitors and residents make use of the huge space which provides lots of corners individual meditation, or family picnics, or just communing and exploring.Bonsai Garden, Japanese Grotto, sensory garden, turtle pond, Dahlia garden, rose garden, Palm Garden with more varieties of Palms from all over the world than I knew were in existence! And there are spaces for toddlers and grandparents, little plots that families and individuals can claim for a season or two to grow some vegetables, they are gorgeous redwoods and many of the 400 varieties of trees which are located around the lake entire, this doesnt take into account the area dedicated to tips on composting, or the bee Hotel, or a rotating bunch of sculptures which seem to appear from time to time. So much to explore, that ones own pace.Unfortunately it has to close at 4 p.m. which is probably a result of lack of funding like the lack of gardeners. But this is a jewel in our city which deserves all the support we can give it. Dont miss it! Something for everybody.

One of the great thing about living in Oakland.The gardens, the lake, the bbq, the boat houses, the band stand, the bird sanctuary and a lot of open grass, play structure, and other things like the lawn bowling, amphitheater and Childrens Fairyland all kind of blend into one another.And the place has life. This is a great place to jog, bike or just sit amd people watch as well as picnic and grill. And people are put and about. Walk the perimeter and youll see all kinds of people enjoying the gardens, lake and park.The only downside is that there are not enough food vendors, bathrooms etc and the city has allowed too much of it to be in disrepair.

Oaklands best kept secret. Close to a great farmers market and fun trails. Wasnt crazy or crowded even on a holiday weekend.

Really beautiful place. The diversity of flora is so impressive for a public garden, and its pretty well maintained by volunteers. Very impressed by how many types of flowers, plants, and trees there were. The Dahlia section was amazing.

Beautiful gardens with lots of flowers and also a bonsai garden! If you are taking a stroll around the lake, definitely stop by this wonderful place.

Beautiful garden area. I highly recommend checking it out. Its free and run off donations and volunteers. They have a fair few events going on with other gardens as well throughout the year.

The gardens were closed but the outside was beautiful

I love it . Its beautiful!

Great quiet oasis with great variation of plant life near lake Merrit

A surpsing gem I never knew existed in nearly thirty years of being an Oaklander. With free admission and an interesting range of garden environments, this is a nice place to stroll through or find a bench and have a quiet moment in a serene setting.

Perfect place to walk around and enjoy with the family, very educational and a lot to learn about plants.

Beautiful plants and animals. very relaxing

Was Relaxing And Full Of Nature Life Literally...

Love it.. very peaceful place to take a walk in during lunch hour.

The gardens are nice, but given the rave reviews I heard about them and how its a prime spot for people to propose, I was a but disappointed at how sparsely planted the area is. Compared to the other gardens weve visited, to his was by far the most modest.However, I loved the community feel of the garden and how very local it is. Would I come here to propose? No. Would I come here to feel a part of the community? 100-percent.

Went to a baby shower held here at the garden facility. First time Ive been there & I notice the ladies restroom was not properly stocked with paper towels or hand soap. If I had rented this venue for $1200. for 4 hours, I would be very concerned that these necessities were overlooked! Secondly, it was EXTREMELY hot in the facility. No air conditioning or fans provided. Lastly, the lady over the facility was late getting there to open up so that the group could set up, but insisted that everyone had to leave early so that there was time to clean up!! The baby shower was nice!

A beautiful place to walk around. Many different kinds of plants, bonsai gardens, a sensory garden, amazing natural rock sculptures, community gardens, and a waterfall feature. All this and Lake Merritt across the way.

Great pocket of serenity.

Great various selection of different plants in this garden.

A wonderful place. A bird sanctuary. And,fantastic gardens run by the local government with volunteer assistance. A good community spirit. I have been visiting every month since about 2010. Photographs each visit. There is always something different going on.

The route is good for an early morning run. Through sunny oakland

Great place to walk around with kids.

Wow..the surrounding of the lake has greatly improved!!Have not been here for several months...the park has cleaned up...except for a couple..tents disappeared around the lake even under the bridge across Alameda courthouse..I know it was difficult job to relocate them...great accomplishment !!!Please maintain so they will not return...THANK YOU°°Enjoying ..

These gardens are simply beautiful. The atmosphere is calming and I absolutely loved going to see all of their irises (my favorite flower)

Gorgeous and big enough to not have anything remotely like crowds.

Amazing gardens in Oakland! Highly recommend.

That was Adult Prom Night. The place was beautiful and amazing. Nice little waterfall in the back. Even the little Albino raccoons was a little cute.

Japanese Tea Garden is a great place to relax and smoke.

Great place to take a stroll in a Sunday afternoon after branching it up with some friends or family. They have some water activities available during the right season. Hey also have a bonsai garden you can wonder into. Well maintained and public restrooms are available and very close to the pulse of the city.

Lovely hidden gems in Oakland

This is a great botanical garden waiting to happen. The bonsai collection is one of the best, but open limited hours. The community garden is lovely. The environs, in general, need an infusion of upkeep and new ideas. I hope Oakland recognizes this garden as a resource and commits more money and labor to making it great.

Its normally such a beautiful place I looked a little dry there

Beautifully kept garden. Has much to see, including a Bandaid garden. Palm tree garden was spectacular. Free entrance and plenty of street parking.

The Gardens are a great place to wander. When Autumn Lights happens, do not miss it! So much fun. Art everywhere, good food trucks, beer and wine, and a burning man like atmosphere of wonder. Bring cash to support their plant sale. Outside Autumn Lights, the Gardens is a relaxing place to bring a picnic, take your inlaws, or your favorite book and a hot tea.

Im a certified Arborist, and let me tell you there are some incredible trees here, some real beauties.

My daughter loves to play here

Beautiful nook, check it out if youve got the time.

Beautiful place to surround yourself with nature. Limited hours but a great place to take a stroll and escape the concrete jungle (or at least pretend to!).

If you dont mind the city crowds, the City Gardens by Lake Merritt offer ample opportunities for summer relaxation. You can spread on the grass under the oaks for a picnic or walk down the path around the lake and enjoy the city views. Visit the gardens that range from the exotic corner reminiscent of Hawaii to the Japanese garden groomed to perfection. Bring your children to the Fairyland for a $10 fee, no discounts offered.Once you tire of driving around in search of street parking, head through the gates where you can secure a spot on the road winding through the gardens, for the reasonable price of $5.

My favorite place to escape urban Oakland and just have some quite time. There are numerous gardens within including; a community vegetable garden, a sense garden, bonsai garden, Japanese garden, cactus garden, south east asian rhododendron garden, palm garden and more.

Fun to walk around this lake! Great way to exercise!

The Gardens are beautiful, various groupings of plants and trees, generally well marked. Plenty of areas to sit in the sun or shade on rocks or chairs and relax, take it all in. Retreat.

As i stroll meander through this beautifully landscaped and immaculate showcase of what botanical intrigue has to offer humanity I often find myself pondering the deepest questions that come to mind. In fact meandering through the various paths into the special architecture of construction and raw beauty of nature I often spend hours here without blinking in a meditative trance. if you see me please do not say hello, instead take a moment to reflect on your life, loved ones and your general well being. namaste(No wifi here)

Free and open to anybody. We took our two kids there after visiting Fairyland and they thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some butterflies and caterpillars on the milkweed for people to look at and mostly well maintained paths. The bonsai garden was also great to explore.

Awesome place to go for a walk.

Beautiful garden great place to take a walk!

Nice little spot in the middle of the city! There’s a a community garden and volunteering on weekends.

Nice public gardens with Bonsai gardens too. Directly across the street from Lake Merritt.

This is the crown jewel of Oakland!

Oh man you got to check this place out, this is that perfect little get away for you and lil Moma. Ill give you a tip. Take someplace where it gets a little breezzyyy. Handing your coat over perfect gentleman. Also good way for Her to learn your smell. Believe me it works.

Its a very beautiful and comfortable place to hang around and spend your weekend. People set up their hammocks and relax under the shady canopy with sun peeping through the branches of the trees. Its very close to nature, there are birds and ducks, and squirrels. Its a place where people plan events like birthdays, wedding shoots, get togethers and parties. Its also very close to the hub so there is easy access to the market place also.

This place and the whole Lake Merritt and its surroundings are great!!

Enjoy the view of the lake Merritt

Nice chill garden, full of fat Squirrels and a variety of plants. Good spot to kinda get away from things for a while.

Super cool place to Walk.,

Ive been coming here for decades and seen alot of changes, but this place is still beautiful.

The gardens at Lake Merritt are so pretty! Behind the Childrens Fairy Land is the Gardens. A local community garden center with tons of beautiful plants and trees. Inside the gardens is also a bonsai exhibit area with a knowledgeable volunteer to inform you of the rich history of the area as well as the potting techniques used to keep the trees small! With an interactive, scent and taste area where herbs grow, its def. an experience to try and have. Walk through the area, quiet and relaxing.

One of Oaklands best gems, year round! Autumn Lights Festival, which happens annually in October, is a truly spectacular and magical event.

Beautiful. Go it is right there Oakland

Super plush way to relax in a big city.

Its a very relaxing group of several gardens with beautiful plants and flowers and lots of benches. Some parts are better maintained than others, but its still a hidden gem at Lake Merritt. I cant believe Ive lived here for decades and never knew about it.

Why is one of the best spots in Oakland?-Community Gardens where you can grow your own salads, and experiment with plants, compost, soils and irrigation systems.-Master Gardeners ready and happy to help you and share their knowledge. Active program of seminars for gardening.-Aroma Garden is an exuberant pleasure for your senses.-Pollinators and Monarch butterflies favorite spot.-Bonsai Garden where time and people build temples of Nature.-Birds singing and flying everywhere.-Beautiful place to walk, meditate, relax or eat your food in your lunch break. With enough benches well distributed around the Garden.

I moved to this neighborhood so everyday I can come here to restore my tranquility, just beautiful, always cool even on the hottest days. My dog and I walk here several times a day, sometimes we picnic, and at night we watch the families of raccoons fish for mussels. In the Spring there are families of Canadian geese and many other species of birds and ducks. This is a secret gem in this part of Oakland, also great trails for running and walking.

This is a beautiful place to take your baby, date, or older relatives for a stroll. My daughter enjoys a quite a bit.

Enjoyable place to stroll

Beautiful scenery. Great nature area

Love the peace of the Lake. Even when there are lots of people around, its still very peaceful. I love Lake Merritt. I walk my dogs the 4 to 5 days a week: Tudy, Frudy and AuRudy. Theyre wonderful dogs.

A hidden treasure, absolutely tranquil and relaxing

Very nice relaxing place downtown. Good parking also.

Small old school park, great for kids of 6 yr and under. You walk more to and from the parking. $10.00 @ adult kids rides only. Just relax and enjoy your little kids or your grandkids.

Always a pleasure. I was parked by the boathouse entrance in July & I heard a familiar voice speak, getting louder/c loser to me. I looked up & it was GRAMMY winner/ PLATINUM artist ANDRE 3000 from ATL the group OUTCAST! I spoke to him and he did a double take, spoke back, & theI look on his face was as if he had realized that just like him.lol Or he looks like me. Very interesting bcuz ppl tell me that since he 1st dropped LPs!! DOPPLEGANGER$????

The sensory gardens, the community gardens, the succulent and orchid gardens...not to mention the Japanese water garden, and the only outdoor bonsai garden open all year anywhere in the US! simply stunning, locals and new friends should all visit.daytime hours 10-4ish...

Beautiful walk under construction around some parts can wait to see the upgrade

Quiet n beautiful..we need rain though.

Nice place to visit. I was attending a wedding here, and it made for a beautiful backdrop.

You can tell a lot of time and love went into making this place great.

Beautiful gardens tucked away by Lake Merritt. Great place to relax.

Very nice gardens open to the public. Great spot to take visitors as you walk around the lake. Well-kept. Good for takes or spending leisure time with friends.

Nice to amble through veggie and more formal garden areas alike

Great public space to meet friends

Oaklands Green Heart is a hidden jewel, a collection of diverse gardens that hold sites of cultural, horticultural, ecological and historical interest.Branded the Gardens at Lake Merritt in 2008, the Gardens are home to the Pollinator Posse and since 2012, has been the site of the Autumn Lights Festival”, a popular and much-anticipated Oakland tradition, enjoyed by adults and children alike.

A cute place for a walk. The gardens were a bit too wild for my liking. The Bonsai garden closed an hour before it was advertised. :(

Beautiful park but areas smell like urine and had geese poop everywhere on the trail

Very nice greenary and close to nature.

Good area to enjoy the garden with enough parking spaces but u have to pay for parking .

Enjoy it go out with family and friends

Beautiful scenery and much to do