Our Dog Days of Summer event is back! Bring your furry friend and come PAW-ty in the Garden together.

On this day, we’ll be beating the heat and celebrating our doggy visitors with:

• Dog pools in the Plaza
• Cold drinks provided (thanks to our generous sponsor, Rivian)
• People Food (no begging pooches)
• Vendors (pet and otherwise) in our air-conditioned Great Room
• Free talks on the shaded patio (see schedule below)
• Adoption partners for those looking for a new best friend
• Drawings for cool prizes—dogs wearing their best summer ’fit will be entered to win!
• If you’re looking for a new ride, Rivian will be offering free test drives from the Garden’s lot (though your dog will have to cheer you on from the sidelines). Learn more here. 

Free Talk Schedule:

10:00 – Gardening for the Summer Heat

with Ruth Bancroft Nursery Manager, Jeremiah Harper

• Discover plants that bloom even in the hottest weather
• Learn how to protect your plants from extreme heat
• Hear about the best ways to water on HOT days

11:00 – Don’t Let Your Yard Go to the Dogs: Landscape Design for Children (Two-Legged and Four)!

with Ruth Bancroft Garden Landscape Designer, Gonzalo Mannucci

• Learn how to create play spaces for dogs and kids while maintaining a resilient, beautifully designed yard
• Hear about planting for play, pee, and protection!
• Discover how to plan a timeless landscape for every life-stage need

12:00 – Learn About Assistance Dogs

with representatives from Canine Companions and Joybound – Shelter to Service Program

• Learn about two incredible assistance dog programs and the life-changing support they provide
• Hear how San Quentin inmates are helping to train some of these amazing dogs
• Discover ways you can get involved and make a difference
• Meeting assistance dogs in the Garden – best ways to interact

Events in the Plaza and Great Room, as well as the talks, are FREE to the public. Entrance to the Garden requires a paid admission ticket.

Our generous sponsor, Rivian, will be offering free Garden admission tickets to the first 75 people who RSVP on their website HERE.

Please note:

• Each person may bring no more than one leashed dogs.
• All dogs must be leashed at all times (no retractable leashes).
• All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.
• All dogs must be well-behaved with other dogs and people.
• People and pets must stay on paths and out of planting beds at all times.
• Pets must be cleaned up after.
• All attendees must agree to follow posted rules and assume full responsibility for their pets.

Thank you to our generous sponsor, Rivian, for helping to make this day happen!

Participating Partners: