Yerba Buena Gardens
The Yerba Buena Gardens, in the city of San Francisco, California, is a city park located in downtown, covering about two city blocks. It was built on top of an underground parking garage and is home to a number of museums, gardens, and other cultural attractions. A few things people come here to enjoy are the beautiful gardens, a grassed leisure area, a playground, as well as the picturesque Upper Terrace and Yerba Buena Lane for restaurants. The Yerba Buena Gardens are also adjacent to the Moscone Center, which is a large convention center that hosts many events throughout the year.
The Yerba Buena Gardens allows visitors to relax and appreciate San Francisco's weather and culture. The garden itself covers 5 acres of groomed lawns with flowers, trees, water, and art, and was established in the 1990s as part of an urban revitalization effort aimed at fostering community. The Cho-En Butterfly Garden uses native plants to attract native San Francisco butterflies and enables them to grow from eggs to adulthood. Meanwhile, the Reflection Garden serves as both a memorial to the Ohlone Indians and a stage for numerous oral traditions.
The Upper Terrace Garden and the Sister City Gardens, which display flora from San Francisco's 18 Sister Cities from around the world, are where visitors will find the area's restaurants and much of its seating. A number of sculptures and water features may also be seen in the East Garden. Finally, three lawns within Yerba Buena Gardens were specifically built for children. The Children's Garden teaches kids about gardening and the natural world, while the South Lawn contains an oversized chess board where people of all ages can play. The Yerba Buena Gardens provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco and is a great place to enjoy the city's weather and culture.
What's Nearby the Yerba Buena Gardens
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
You can see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial where some of his moving speeches are etched in the different languages of San Francisco's sister towns on the glass walls behind the waterfall. It's a wonderfully tranquil setting that's perfect for a hot day.
Children's Creativity Museum & Carousel
The Children's Creativity Museum is an experience to remember, where kids can participate in a variety of hands-on activities. There's an Animation Studio where children can create a short movie out of clay figures, a Technology Laboratory where they can operate robots, and an Imagination Laboratory where they can experiment with blocks and magnets. The 1906 classic carousel is right by the entrance, and outside in the back is an awesome playground.
Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center
Get some of your energy out at the Yerba Buena Ice Skating Rink and Bowling Center, both of which are located inside the same building. The gardens were intended to be child friendly, and this is a place that kids will enjoy.