Private Garden Tours
Explore the Ruth Bancroft Garden with a guide and learn about the Garden’s history and dry garden plant collection. Tours are approximately one hour long and are given rain or shine. Be prepared for gravel pathways and the weather.
Capacity:
- Ideally, groups will have one to eight participants
- Large groups can be accommodated up to 20 participants but will split into two tours of 10 (scheduling may be more limited)
- For groups of 25 or more we recommend an Onsite Private Lecture (see details below)
Private Tour Fee:
- $20/adult (non-member)
- $17/adult (RBG member)
- $18/senior (65+) or student + ID (non-member)
- $15/senior (65+) or student + ID (RBG member)
- Free for caregiver of a visitor with disabilities
As this is a private guided experience, this is not a complimentary tour for RBG members or those with guest passes.
Groups can schedule a private tour of the Garden on Tuesdays-Fridays, 9am-4pm at least three weeks prior to your tour.
Park at the Main Lot. Consider carpooling, as parking is limited. Tour buses can be coordinated with the Tour Guide for specific instructions.
Our packed dirt and gravel pathways may cause difficulty for walkers or wheelchairs. We have two wheelchairs with wide wheels available for use.
In order to reserve your group’s desired date and time, we require a payment in full at least 14 days before your scheduled tour. Cancellations up to one week prior to a booked tour are subject to a 30% cancellation fee. Cancellations less than one week prior to a booked tour are non-refundable. The Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG) does not issue credits for future programs or events. RBG reserves the right to cancel a tour due to Garden closure or inclement weather. If a tour is canceled by RBG, participants will be contacted by email and receive a full refund.
On-site Private Lectures
Private lectures with our Curatorial or Design Director are offered to groups of 25-50 people who are wanting to learn more about this special place.
Content
Groups may choose from the following topics:
- Iconic plants of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
- History of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
- Basic Garden Styles
Capacity:
- 20-50 people
On-site Private Lecture Fee*:
- $35 adult (non-member)
- $30 adult (RBG member)
- $32 senior (65+) or student + ID (non-member)
- $27 senior (65+) or student + ID (RBG member)
- Free for caregiver of a visitor with disabilities
*Admission to the Garden is included in the lecture fee.
We also offer private remote/online webinars for groups. For more details, contact Program Director at alice@ruthbancroftgarden.org
Groups can schedule a private tour of the Garden on Wednesday afternoons or Thursday mornings at least six weeks prior to your tour.
Park at the Main Lot. We require groups of 20 or more to carpool. Tour buses can be coordinated with the Tour Guide for specific instructions.
Our packed dirt and gravel pathways may cause difficulty for walkers or wheelchairs. We have two wheelchairs with wide wheels available for use.
To reserve your group’s desired date and time, we require a payment in full at least 14 days before your scheduled tour. Cancellations up to one week prior to a booked tour are subject to a 30% cancellation fee. Cancellations less than one week prior to a booked tour are non-refundable. The Ruth Bancroft Garden (RBG) does not issue credits for future programs or events. RBG reserves the right to cancel a tour due to Garden closure or inclement weather. If a tour is canceled by RBG, participants will be contacted by email and receive a full refund.
For an additional $150, event staff can provide tables and linens on the patio, as well as a list of recommended caterers. Groups are responsible for ordering, paying and arranging delivery of the food. Event staff will receive the delivery, set-up and clean-up after the lunch.
