The Garden is open for visitors seven days a week from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The RBG Office is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm during the week (Monday through Friday). The Garden Office is closed on the following holidays but The Garden is still open for visitors unless otherwise noted.

January 1 (Office & Garden Closed)

January 16

February 20

March 26 - April 6 (Spring Preparation, Office

  Open)

May 28

July 4 (Office & Garden Closed)

September 3

October 8

October 22 - November 2 (Winter Preparation:     

   Office Open)

November 22 (Office & Garden Closed)

November 23   

December 25 (Office & Garden Closed)

Admission revenue helps to preserve the garden for the public to enjoy. Your admission fee includes a self-guided tour booklet or a guided docent tour (see Tours section below).

$10

The Ruth Bancroft Garden Members:     

     Become a member here.

Children* (under 12):     

     *Arranged group tours are $5 per child.

Free admission is offered on the first Tuesday of every month and during plant sale events.

Other special event pricing may apply. Call the office with any questions.

On weekdays, start your visit at the Office Entrance where admissions should be paid at the office. On weekends, start your visit at the North Entrance and staff will be there to help you with admission fees. If staff is not available, please use the North Entrance self-pay box located next to the entrance into Ruth's Folly (the green gazebo) or the office entrance self pay box located on the Kiosk.

Parking for mid-week self-guided tours or for meetings with garden staff is located at our Office Entrance at 1552 Bancroft Road.

Parking for docent-led tours, weekend admission and special events is located at our North Entrance at 1500 Bancroft Road. Parking is available on the gravel area adjacent to Ruth’s Folly (the green gazebo). If that lot is full, please continue up the driveway and parallel park along the left side of the driveway near the red barn. All tours begin at Ruth’s Folly. The garden is bordered by private property; please be respectful of our neighbors and enter only the public garden through Ruth's Folly.

Self-Guided Tours
Available every day that The Garden is open from 10 am – 4 pm. On weekdays, you may check in using the Office Entrance. On weekends, the North Entrance will be open. Check in with staff or use the self-pay box adjacent to Ruth's Folly (the green gazebo) to deposit tour fees if no staff is available. 

Walk-in Tours (Docent-Led)

November  to March: Docents are present to offer tours and answer questions on Saturdays from 10 am - 11:30 am.

April to October: Docents are present to offer tours and answer questions at the following times:

Fridays and Saturdays: 10 am - 11:30 am

Sundays: 11 am - 12:30 pm

2nd Friday of the month: Sunset Garden Tour from 6 - 7 pm

1st Saturday of the month: Theme Tour at 11 am

Reservations are not required. For current tour information, please call our Garden Hotline at (925) 210-9663 or email info@ruthbancroftgarden.org. Groups of ten or more should schedule a Group Tour (see information below).

Group and Special Interest Tours

Docent-led Group Tours for groups of 10 or more can be scheduled on Tuesdays – Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at least 6 weeks prior to your tour. Please download our Group Tour Scheduling Form and email this to: tours@ruthbancroftgarden.org  We will contact you shortly after receiving your email.

Schedule a Children's Tour by contacting our Education Coordinator. Learn more about these kid-friendly and hands-on tours here.

Classes, Groups or Clubs may make appointments to visit The Garden by calling the office at (925)944-9352.

Horticultural Classes Professors are welcome to schedule class visits to RBG. Tours may be scheduled with our Garden Curator or the Garden can be used for plant identification. Call ahead to make an appointment and discuss the best options for your horticultural students.

Painting/Artist Visits Call ahead to make an appointment. Office staff can help you plan your visit to avoid group tours, special events, children’s tours, major garden renovation work, loud machinery, etc.  The regular admission fee applies.

Photographers should refer to our Photos tab.