Bonsai Garden

A great spot to visit (for free!) near Merritt Lake in Oakland. While they have limited hours so you have to plan accordingly, they have a beautiful selection of bonsai’s and a nicely curated park. The range of trees and styles was fun to see and the park was both peaceful and pleasant.

This garden is a gem. The amount of unique bonsai trees you could find is astonishing. BTW I went there on a rainy day.

This garden is a gem in the city! They have a Bonsai tree that supposedly over 500 years old. These tress will fascinate you with their small but mighty essence!Pictures couldn't begin to do these bonsais justice!

We absolutely loved this place. It is a wonderful place. Do visit if you stay around in bay area. They have some really good collections of plants. The hosts on the property are very friendly, they answered all the questions we had and also showed us their archives. They usually rotate the plants on display. So If you get talking to hosts and they are free you may get a chance to see their archives.

It has very small trees (Bon Sai ) that are unbelievable in size and they look exactly the same as it’s bigger versions. We enjoyed the small walk inside the park and would recommend. There are even places to sit and relax

Great Bonsai Garden. Highly recommend. Beautiful specimens. Some dating back to President Lincoln. Beautiful Cypress, maples, etc. All well manicured. Even got to see all plants in rotation behind gates. A must see for a day to get away.

Amazing Bonsai garden in the middle of a very nice experimental garden along Lake Merritt. It wasn't the easiest thing to find, but the looking was pleasant enough. It is free and staffed by very nice volunteers. The Bonsai collection itself includes interesting specimens, including several of great historical importance. They only display about 40 at a time but they have over 200 in the collection. The pleasant arrangement and the interesting views (with a traditional Japanese garden and gate with skyscrapers in the background) make this a special place to visit.

Truly a spectacular display of many world class bonsai here in this hidden gem. The Bonsai Gardens at Lake Merit are truly special and not to be missed. Both the bonsai enthusiast and simply an appreciator of art in nature will love this destination.

Oh yeah, I forgot it was here even though bonsais are big among my peeps. I had been to the Gardens at Lake Merritt a few times before (review: https://bit.ly/3GGkF7i), but the gate was always locked to this section as it's open and staffed by volunteers for only 3-1/2 hours a day. Well, I finally arrived in time to enjoy the meticulously sculpted bonsai trees. There are about a hundred on display. I can see why they're cloistered in their own area because they require personal attention to appreciate the detail of the pruning. I've been to the more manicured sister bonsai garden down at the Huntington in San Marino (review: https://bit.ly/3WxPUHK), but this collection reflected a broader variety which one of the volunteers will happily describe to you without fail. Free to the public, it's definitely a hidden jewel. RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

Not all plants interest me, but bonsai trees most definitely do. The Bonsai Garden is located inside The Gardens of Lake Merritt and have their own hours. Within the space, there were many trees in the collection for you to enjoy. I especially liked the Japanese maples. Fun Fact: Kathy Shaner, the curator, is "the first western woman and the only Japanese-certified bonsai master in the United States." Props.

As many times that I have walked the loop of Lake Merritt I never knew about this beautiful, secret garden. My friend brought me here on a Saturday afternoon stroll. There were 10-15 other visitors admiring the unique shapes, leaves, and colors of these ancient trees. Some dating back over 200 years! Here I am thinking I was a champ for having an Orchid, I purchased in 2008 at Trader Joe's continuously bloom. You know them thangs die after the flowers are spent, unless you are a plant whisperer. You have to admire a team of dedicated grounds keepers who meticulously care for these plants. They are the true Bonsai Whisperers. Expert precision is a requirement as the team meticulously trim, snip, and shape the trees all by hand. This really should be called the Bonsai Garden Museum. One can stand and stare at a tree for minutes on end. I am still trying to comprehend how a Pomegranate tree that is under 3 feet tall and over 200 years old is still blooming beautifully. Free to the public, wheelchair accessible. Street parking is available nearby.

A nice way to spend part of an afternoon outdoors. Lots of beautiful bonsai - and the volunteer docent provided a lot of really interesting information. I'm glad we found this!

It's a local gem. Beautiful living art and the garden that surrounds is too. Can't believe it's free to the public. It's one of Oakland's treasures. A garden inside a garden inside a park. They also offer free bonsai classes, which I can't wait to try!

Walking around the lake we stumbled here. Peaceful well kept garden with a very knowledgeable worker. A large variety of bonsai trees that they rotate throughout the year. Free to all guests, donations accepted to help maintain the garden.

Very beautiful garden at Lake Merritt. It was very serene when I visited and the area is extremely well maintained. You can tell a lot of care goes into the well-being and maintenance of the plants. Lovely excursion.

I was visiting the Oakland cathedral nearby and was looking for things to do in the neighborhood and found this gem of a place. I am very fond of bonsai's and this place was heaven for me. They had a quite a large number of bonsai exhibits both small and large. They also had a few bonsai's that are more than 100 years old. Talk to the staff there and they'll share plenty of history about each of the plants there. This is in the middle of Lake Merritt garden area which by itself is pretty good. The bonsai garden is free but they do charge a $5 parking fee. That being said there's plenty of parking spaces all throughout the garden and lot of things to do in addition to checking out the bonsai's.

This is such a lovely spot to get away from the city. The bonsai here are beautiful, even in winter! It was fun to walk around and learn about each tree and the history behind it and how the trees are styled. The garden is well kept, neat and tidy. I loved visiting this place and I'm thoroughly impressed by the variety of Bonsai displayed here!

SOOOOO pretty and big!!!! I can't believe going here is FREE. The bonsai garden specifically was cool because the bonsai trees were nicely cut and shaped and there were also information cards that told us what kind of bonsai tree it was.

Really cool place inside a really cool place. Garden Inside a garden. The biggest draw back here and it's not their fault is the insane car thefts that take place in broad day light! Uber, walk, or make sure there's nothing in your car- it will get broken into and no one, be they onlooker or park attendant will say a word.

I discovered this place a few years ago while trying to catch Pokémon in the gardens (it's filthy with 'em!) but now I just come here to walk around and have a peaceful place to be alone. The second best part about this place is it's beauty. The first best thing is that it's 100% free to go in and walk around. And the third best thing is probably the location, which is right on Lake Merritt but tucked far enough back that it's never busy and always a calm and serene place to take a tile out... or catch Pokémon.

This is a lovely, well-maintained little garden in the middle of the Lake Merritt Garden. It's an oasis of calm in an otherwise bustling city. We stopped by here as part of an East Bay excursion. Parking was a little difficult but we snagged one of the few spots left in driving loop and made a leisurely stroll to the garden. We were greeted by a friendly volunteer docent, who pointed out some of the special items in this beautiful collection of trees. Personally, I had no idea that the art of bonsai could involve so many different species - even redwoods! We spent about 30 minutes walking through this place and chatting with the guide, and watched the volunteers in the work area carefully tending to the plants. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Date: 8/27/2016 Time: 2:40 PM 68° Partly sunny Here I am born and raised in Oakland, 64 years of age, and I don't believe I have ever been in the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt. It's a shame all these years I never set foot in this garden even though I have walked and or jog on Lake Merritt pathways in the past many times. I guess I never took the time to "smell the roses" behind those dark shades of mine. This garden is maintained by the employees of the City of Oakland. I must say they do excellent work to keep the landscape beautiful. The garden is filled with various types of trees, plants, shrubbery, flowers and water ponds. It is so serene and peaceful walking through the garden. The location is a hidden gem, tucked behind the Garden Center Buildings. My husband and I were fortunate to catch sight of a hummingbird perched on one of the metal stands. The bird stayed there for a little while. Snap, snap...we managed to take at least two photos of the tiny bird before he flew elsewhere. I am glad there is a bonsai garden on this side of the bay to visit. It is closer to my home and I don't have to travel far to see Oakland's version of a Japanese Tea Garden. Definitely there will be more visits to Bonsai Garden to admire the landscape and to appreciate what Oakland has to offer. I love this garden. There are all these paved pathways to walk around and explore. Afterthought: Thank you, George H., for your comment, clarifying that volunteers maintain the garden and providing more detailed information. I stand corrected.

It's just so chill here compared to the SF gardens on a typical weekend: not overcrowded, peaceful, and nice.. And there's just such a large bonsai collection here. Came here on a Saturday when there was a large boat racing event at Lake Merritt, but the Gardens at Lake Merritt: were all just peaceful and were free of the crowded flock outside of the gardens. - The rest of the Gardens at Lake Meritt is worth exploring too. But, the Bonsai Garden is totally worth checking out: one of the best features here.

How can you not love this place!!! A small, quiet garden with pathways and benches all around. It's just so peaceful here. I always walk through here when I'm at Lake Merritt. It's easy to miss, so if you're ever hanging out at the lake, go check this place out, it's free, and you will be pleasantly surprised!!

This was a hidden gem inside the garden area . It makes us want to start our own bonsai hobby. Admission is free and the lady there was really knowledgeable. Would come back and would recommend.

It is one of the jewels of Lake Merritt. I can't believe we have such a treasure in Oakland and a group of artists/volunteers tending to and preserving the trees and artwork over all these decades. Thank you!!

A gem of a place, in the heart of Oakland. I was drawn here because of the bonsai garden, and was not disappointed!!! The entire grounds are just stunning, with a huge variety, including a test kitchen garden and loads of nooks and crannies. Back to the bonsai though. I was blown away!!! I saw a 1,500 year old California Cedar, and the big highlight was a bonsai given by the Emperor of Japan to President Abraham Lincoln--wow.

This place is the Tardis, aka the telephone booth from Doctor Who, it's bigger in the inside. I have NEVER been here before. And I've been visiting Lake Merritt for over a decade. Thankfully, T, who had a girlfriend who lived around here, had taken him here, though he was also visiting, he led me here. However, he had assumed incorrectly that I'd also been here. And he was getting tired of walking my giant dog. I mean, she's almost as heavy as me, so to me, she's a giant. This was a holiday but it was open, even though it was supposed to be closed. It also allows dogs, even giant puppies like mine, though be aware of squirrels - they really know how to stir up trouble. The bonsais were lost in the full bloom, there were so many places to sit and ponder the meaning of life, or the meaning of squirrels, as in the case may be. I do not fully understand the plot of land that are evenly divided and seemingly tendered by varies people, perhaps a community garden? It reminded me of the Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, there they also had the community garden where folks went to tended their plot of lands. I'd like to get my hands on some of that. Of course it has a Japanese theme throughout, but the plants were the main attraction. There were just so many brilliant colors in late summer, like women approaching middle age, they are going all out for that last minute, last second of ray before bursting into flames. I particularly enjoyed a ballon type of weed-like plants. I've seen it previously in the Mendocino Coast at a nursery, but I've not seen them in the bay area before. Alas, we were being asked to leave. The day is almost gone and I've only just started to feel relaxed in the garden. Next time, I'd take a friend there, and pretend that I've known this hidden spot all along. Good for first time dates. Or a mid afternoon stroll with your loved ones.

Got there on Saturday at 11. Opening hours show it's supposed to be open since 10, but to my disappointment it was not open. No signage indicates any special event.

Had a nice walk in this park enjoying the beauty of the bonsai and other plants. The park was clean and the bonsai trees were well maintained. There was a large pagoda where you can rest and shade yourself from the hot sun I had. There were koi and red eared turtles swimming in the pond around the pagoda. Adds tranquility. My little niece enjoyed walking and exploring around. I recommend this place for people who'd like to zen out

If you're looking for a peaceful place to go in Oakland that's far away from reality (cough Trump), look no further than the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt. My girlfriend and I recently paid a visit here on our whirlwind tour of the more hidden gems in the East Bay, and we absolutely loved this garden. I cannot believe the Bonsai Garden is tucked so quietly away inside Lake Merritt because it's stunningly PEACEFUL, BEAUTIFUL, and best of all it's FREE! The Bonsai Garden is found on the northern side of Lake Merritt within Lakeside Park's Garden Center. Its location is SUPER convenient for several reasons. First off, getting here by foot and public transportation is EASY! You can simply take many of the AC transit buses or even Bart to Downtown Oakland/Lake Merritt, and then it's a peaceful/semi-short walk into the garden. Once you get into the Lakeside Park area, just follow Bellevue Ave and the signs will guide you to the Garden Center, and then subsequently into the Bonsai Garden. I actually prefer walking over driving because then you don't have to pay the parking fee (around $5 I think)/fight for street parking. Second, since Bonsai Garden is inside Lake Merritt, there's already so much you can do here that totally ENHANCES your experience! It's definitely a worthwhile visit because afterwards, you can check out the lake itself, the Lake Merritt Garden Center (right next to the garden) AND maybe even Children's Fairyland too. Open for several hours every day of the week (except Mondays), the Bonsai Garden has an amazing collection of different kinds of Japanese bonsai trees. Before coming here, I never knew that there could be so many, and so my experience was a learning one. Even though the garden itself is pretty small (you can see the entire space when you walk through the gate), because every bonsai has a unique story to tell, you can totally spend HOURS here if you wanted. My personal favorite was the Atlas Cedar, which literally just looked like a mini forest inside a pot of dirt. It was awesome! Overall, I really like that Oakland/Lake Merritt has such a hidden gem in the Bonsai Garden. I wouldn't say that you should go out of your way and travel 2+ hours just to come here because the garden itself is TINY. BUT, it's definitely part of your experience if you plan to visit Lake Merritt. For that, I give the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt my fullest recommendation. Definitely worth an "omg, I have to travel here if I am in the area" rating! Have fun and prosper,

This is a wonderful place to check out some great bonsai trees. This Bonsai Garden has Free Admission but appreciates any donations. There is a wide variety of different kinds of bonsai and it's a great pleasure seeing the gardeners at work here. The place is well-kept and all the trees are visually stunning! This is a one-of-a-kind place. Did I mention this place has free admission? Worth visiting at least once every season to see the leaves of the trees change color!

Wow. What a find. I'm definitely not loving Oakland, but a coworker brought me here and I'm not sure if it was because the sun was shining, it was Friday, or what, but I found this place really really appealing. It's not a huge space, but it's amazing looking at all these little potted trees that are often several hundred years old. I'd def take a short walk through here again and intend to take some other coworkers through. I'm kinda meh on Lake Merritt, but the Bonsai Garden was inside another garden area, which was lovely to walk in too. It's definitely away from the hustle and bustle of the foot path and the flowers and trees are a lovely contrast to the blarrrgh visuals of Lake Merritt. I feel bad now that I didn't leave a donation. Will next time.

Great place to come for a stroll. The volunteers were informative and knowledgeable. The grounds were well maintained and the trees were incredible! Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

If the bonsai you've seen have been limited to the malls, festivals and Home Depot, you must make a trip out to see the bonsai at GSBF's (Golden State Bonsai Federation) collection in Oakland. When you enter, you'll be greeted by a volunteer who will give you a brief explanation about the collection and give you a tree list that can provide greater detail about each tree on display. It's a self-guided tour but the tree list will help you understand what type of tree you are looking at and the estimated age. Some of the trees are very old so it's a privilege to be able to see such old trees. Because these are live trees, the trees will look different in different seasons so it's nice to visit several times a year to see the trees in the various seasons. The volunteer should be able to answer any questions you have so don't be shy. The collection is a highly regarded one so take advantage of this free exhibit and learn more about the amazing art of Bonsai.

The bonsai garden is such a gen! Really wonderful artistry! Particularly the perfect miniature live redwood tree caught my attention. Definitely worth a visit.

This is a true gem in Oakland. Every time someone comes to visit I take them here. There is information about each tree so you know how old it is or where it came from. Some of them are so old which is crazy to see. Lucky to have such a great Bonsai garden! You will discover a new love for Bonsai trees.

Beautiful and tranquil place. The trees are all gorgeous and so well taken care of they inspire you to start a bonsai hobby. It is a garden within a garden so if bonsai is not your thing there are other beautiful plants for you to enjoy.

This place is incredibly beautiful - for a second I thought I was back in Kyoto when I stepped into the garden. The landscaping and decorations of the garden are nicely done, and the bonsai collection is also very good. Tons of very old and large bonsais and also a great variety of types and species. Really cool place to stop if you are walking or running around the lake.

Oh this place is so peaceful and beautiful. It's one of the places I love going to most. Sad it's getting more discovered but everybody should get to enjoy this beautiful space

For a quiet (free) hideaway with gorgeous minimalism look no further than this free little park near the lake. Highly recommended for a quick mindful moment on your own or with friends!

Wandered in here one day when I was walking around the lake. Usually I'm running and blow right past this place without really noticing. What a hidden gem! Fantastic garden with an impressive bonsai collection. I'll be back again and again.

Please support with not only a visit but donations. My bf and I feel bad for not being able to donate here today, but believe me, I'm sending in a check ASAP. Their bonsai collection is absolutely amazing. The work and detail of the trees are indeed a work of art. The patience and love that goes into these gorgeous plants is a must see. Even during the winter, the details of the branches and to see the training of the growth. My bf and I practically forgot where we were when we left the gates. To think this beautiful collection by Lake Merritt. My favorites by far were their juniper and redwood trees. The miniaturization of the trees is so detailed you can't believe that some of these giants make you the giant. I gladly support such places, even if it isn't the first time around, but thereafter because it takes great volunteers and even greater donors to gift such magnificent beauty in this urban setting.

Definitely worth a visit. Some of the bonsai are very old: This one is 400 years old: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/golden-state-bonsai-collection-north-oakland?select=_EseFRM-aahDFD6t6zq-bw#_EseFRM-aahDFD6t6zq-bw

Breathtaking, inspiring. Went one day, returned the next day. There aren't adequate words to describe the magical nature of the specimens of this art.

This place is a real hidden jewel. It took me to another place and time. The most historical one is the one that dates back to the time when Lincoln was president and his foreign minister was given this bonsai as a gift while in Japan. Other highlights include a bonsai redwood (who would've thought?), a grape vine bonsai, and a miniature forest of maple trees. Wow. The volunteer docents really added a lot to the experience too. They were so enthusiastic and kind. One came from San Mateo and the other one from Cupertino. Did I mention that this is the largest bonsai collection in all of Northern California? Oh, and it's free!

After a good half hour of boating, walking sounded really nice, and lo and behold the gardens at Lake Merritt. Quite a cute little assortment of plants and then we saw IT. You'll know when you see it, surrounded by the tall wooden fencing. The Bonsai collection. Beautiful. The docent was incredibly insightful and helped me track down the famous bonsai oak tree. Stop by and pose for a few pictures with it. It has quite a long and storied past. They'll tell you all about it if you ask. The collection changes often so each visit you make here will be unique. It is volunteer-run so everyone involved is passionate and it shows. Admission is free and a visit alone is like a retreat in the middle of the city. Unlike the rest of the gardens, the bonsai collection is open for viewing during specific hours- so be sure not to miss out.

A hidden gym in Oakland. A tranquil sanctuary for a short stroll or just sit and soak in the beauty of the bonsai. There are many unique bonsai here with lots of history. Worth a visit.

Several of my mother's Bonsai trees are part of the permanent exhibit here and the docent house is named after her. The people who operate the garden and run the Golden State Bonsai Federation are unbelievably devoted to their art. My mother often went on expeditions to gather the makings of new trees, particularly juniper. She was always busy sculpting her trees and tending to her collection (I have no clue about it but she was a real expert). On her expeditions she knew what she was looking for and what she could make a tree from. When she passed away in 1991, some of her pieces were held aside and became part of the garden's permanent exhibit. The rest of her collection was liquidated and the proceeds were used to fund the garden, which hadn't found a home at the time. The fence surrounding the garden is a wonder to behold with its all-wood joinery. I marvel at it every time I visit. In this day and age, how wonderful it is that there are people who are dedicated to creating things of beauty for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are a devotee of Bonsai or not, it is great to come here just to enjoy such lovely surroundings. My brother and I are proud of the way the garden has turned out and of the people who are so devoted to it.

Cute place for a mid-day, date night or evening stroll. They have a lovely collection of Bonsai tucked away just around Lake Merritt.

The bonsai garden is one of my favorite places to visit in Oakland, and it has a large amount of trees. Many volunteers are happy to talk and answer questions about bonsai. The redwood bonsai is one of the most interesting trees. Definitely recommend checking the garden out!

What a beautiful sanctuary. Some trees look a lot like the Bristle Cone Pines that I have seen. It is like seeing big trees of all kinds in a miniature scale. It is also a great place because of the fact that they don't allow pets. The only animals I saw there were birds and a couple squirrels.

Great bonsai garden. got to see the experts at work in the back garden area. The staff was very helpful on how I should take care of my bonsai at home. This is a great garden to visit, it should not be missed.

Super cute garden and worth checking out if in the area. It's free and there is a nice succulent garden in the same area.

This is a cute little garden filled with donated miniature bonsai trees. When you walk in, you are given a guide to reference all of the bonsai trees that tells you where it's from, how old it is, and who it was donated from. There was probably about a hundred or so displayed --it was pretty cool. It was peaceful and quiet and nice to stroll through. It's not a huge place and it's not a place where you can spend your whole entire day but it's worth stopping by if you're into this sort of thing. I don't think it's worth going out of your way to visit though.

Stumbled upon this gem while walking around Lake Merritt. It is amazing and wonderful. Definitely go.

Amazing Bonsai garden in the middle of a very nice experimental garden along Lake Merritt. It wasn't the easiest thing to find, but the looking was pleasant enough. It is free and staffed by very nice volunteers. The Bonsai collection itself includes interesting specimens, including several of great historical importance. They only display about 40 at a time but they have over 200 in the collection. The pleasant arrangement and the interesting views (with a traditional Japanese garden and gate with skyscrapers in the background) make this a special place to visit.

I had never been inside the actual Bonsai Garden, just the garden surrounding it. It is definitely worth checking out at least once to take a self guided tour of the many sculpted bonsai trees on display, especially the oldest bonsai from the President Lincoln Era.