My City By The Bay

Tai Chi Garden

The conservatory of flowers which resides in Golden Gate Park adjacent to the Botanical Gardens was originally opened in 1879 after a San Francisco business man had bought the conservatory from James Lick - another prominent business man and gifted the conservatory to San Francisco.  It has gone through many restorations but surprisingly survived the 1906 earthquake.  After years of deterioration the conservatory was put on the list of 100 of the world’s most endangered buildings.  So, in 1998 Hilary Rodham Clinton adopted the conservatory and as a result in 1999 the conservatory closed to undergo a major restoration project.  It reopened in 2003 and is one of the word’s largest conservatories.

There is a county fair building in the front of the conservatory by the entrance where many different events are held.  There is also a library and small kiosk gift shop where you can buy calendars and books depicting different plant species.  Walking through the entire conservatory will take you through to the botanical gardens.  There is also a pond where ducks frolic and squirrels which make their home on the grounds.

As you walk through the entrance early in the morning and make a right by the small Japanese garden you’ll see many people practicing tai chi.  Mornings are my favorite time to visit and I always walk through to the botanical gardens.  It’s so very energizing and peaceful.  And if you spend the morning there you can walk over to Ninth avenue for lunch and find some great eats in the neighborhood along with some little gift shops and bookstores.  By the way the conservatory as well as the botanical gardens are always free admission.  You can find more information at http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org

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