The Gardens at Lake Merritt Oakland CA are a public program designed to highlight the knowledge of horticulture and the preservation of the culture of award winning horticulture. It is one of the most popular places in our great city of Oakland. It also hosts one of the annual highlights of Oakland called the Oakland Lights Festival.
The Gardens hosts gardening workshops and a world class bonsai garden. Regardless of whether you visit for a day or as a weekend retreat, you will be glad you did. It is located at 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610. We hope you enjoy The Gardens at Lake Merritt Oakland CA as much as we do!
Visitors can explore seven acres of themed gardens that span the lake. You’ll find California native plants and flowers along with Japanese and Korean gardens, bonsai trees, palm trees, and even a torii gate. Children will be delighted by the pollinator garden. You can even visit the famous “bee hotel” to see how many of the creatures make the area their home – all for free! You can even buy food and drink from local restaurants and cafes.
Visitors should not miss the tidal lagoon in downtown Oakland. A popular spot for water sports, Lakeside Park features many trees of interest. However, the real highlight of the lake’s plant life is in the gardens. The Gardens at Lake Merritt include a superb Bonsai Garden, a Community/Edible Garden, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and Rhoddendron Garden. There is also a Sensory Garden, Vireya Display Garden, Succulent Garden, and Bay Friendly Demonstration Garden.
There are many attractions in Oakland that families and children will love. The city is home to many colleges and universities, including Mills College, founded in 1852, and the California College of the Arts. There are also several museums, an opera house, and theaters and dance companies to visit. The African American Museum is also a must-visit for visitors to Oakland. Soak up the culture and history of the area, and take time to visit The Gardens at Lake Merritt Oakland CA.
A special program in the Gardens encourages visitors to help local wildlife. The Gardens have been a home to albino raccoons, native birds, and a variety of other species of plants and flowers. The Japanese Garden is particularly beautiful and is a cultural and educational center. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a tiger or two. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the flora and fauna of Oakland. Read about another museum here.
The Pardee Home Museum is another Oakland attraction. It was once the home of three generations of a wealthy California family. Today, it houses the museum’s collections and is a city landmark. During your visit, you can tour the museum and enjoy a high-tea party or a ghost tour. There are so many reasons to visit the gardens, and you’ll love it! The gardens are open year-round and will delight you and your family.
Oakland is also home to the Oakland Children’s Museum, the oldest children’s theme park in the country. According to legend, these cranes inspired George Lucas to create the AT-AT Walkers from Star Wars. They resemble creepy, four-legged tanks from the movie. A visit to this park will keep your kids busy for a day. You can even spend the whole day here with your family! As always, we look forward to seeing you at our office!