A Floral Oasis

Open to the public in 1879, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is the home to over 1,700 plant species. Photo taken May 6, 2013.

Severe structural damage caused by a 100-mile-an-hour windstorm closed the Conservatory from 1995 - 2003. Photo taken May 6, 2013.

Did You Know?

• The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, open to the public in 1879, is the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America, and is a city, state and national historic landmark.

• Purchased by James Lick for his Santa Clara estate, the businessman and philanthropist died before his greenhouse could be erected. It was subsequently purchased by a group of prominent San Franciscans that included Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker.

• The building required twenty-six thousand square feet of glass weighing twenty-five tons, two tons of putty, and is only equaled in size by the Conservatory at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.

• The Conservatory has seen more than its share of accidents and natural disasters. In 1995, the most serious damage was caused by a 100-mile-an-hour windstorm that wiped out 20 percent of the trees in Golden Gate Park and 30,000 fogged, white glass panes in the Conservatory.

• Today, the Conservatory of Flowers contains approximately 1,700 plant species. Its collection of high-altitude orchids—more than 700 of the 1,000 known species—is described as the largest and most comprehensive public collection in the world.

How to Get There

Muni routes and lines: From downtown: 5 Fulton, 21 Hayes, 71 Haight-Noriega routes or the N Judah line

From north of the park: 33 Stanyan or 44 O'Shaughnessy routes

From south of the park: 33 Stanyan, 44 O'Shaughnessy or 71 Haight-Noriega routes

Twice a month we share some of our favorite destinations in the city and the Muni routes and lines that will take you there.