Open Wednesday – Sunday | 9AM – 4PM
Last Garden entry is at 3:15PM
The Garden is a living museum – please stay on the pathways and respect the space.
Location & Phone
1552 Bancroft Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Main Office: (925) 944-9352
Days Closed
Every Monday & Tuesday
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Juneteenth
Fourth of July
Admission Fees
Admission revenue helps to preserve the Garden for the public to enjoy. Your admission fee includes a self-guided tour booklet, What’s in Bloom sheet, and more! There is no admission charge to visit our on site retail Nursery. Well-behaved dogs on leash are always welcome!
$12 | Adults (age 18-64)
$10 | Seniors (65+)/ Students/ Active Military (with valid ID)/ Teachers (with ID)
$5 | Children (age 5-17)
Free | Children 4 and under
Free | Ruth Bancroft Garden Members
Free | Garden Conservancy Members
Free | EBT cardholders via Museums for All
Upcoming Events
Check out all the fun events we’re hosting this year!
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a nonprofit organization and many of our events are fundraising opportunities for the Garden. We hope you can join us at our 6th annual holiday light experience, Garden of D’Lights. The event begins November 22nd and runs on select nights through January 11, 2025. Get tickets!
Accessibility
We offer reduced or free admission* through the partnerships below.
*Only applicable for general admission during open Garden hours: Wednesday – Sunday | 9AM – 4PM. Cannot be used for after-hours events.
The Garden is accessible, but the pathways are not paved. Wheelchairs with durable tires are available for our visitors’ use on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking and restrooms are ADA-compliant/accessible. The building is equipped with an elevator. Service animals (and pets on leash) are always welcome. There is seating scattered throughout the Garden including wooden benches and chairs and several sets of bistro tables.
For the safety of people who are blind, or partially blind, we recommend the accompaniment of a sighted individual, as paths are not clearly edged, we have many spiky plants.
For our online webinars, we utilize the Zoom based captioning feature.
Tours
Self-Guided Tours
You can pick up a self-guided tour booklet in the Garden or access it here digitally! Tripods are prohibited. Access the spanish version here.
For Children
We have a special self-guided Children’s tour book, Garden bingo, and other suggested activities for younger visitors. Be sure and ask at the Admission Kiosk when you check-in! We also offer Field Trips available to 3rd – 4th graders. Email education@ruthbancroftgarden.org for more information.
Private Guided Garden Tours
Groups of eight or less can schedule a private garden tour of the Garden on Tuesdays-Fridays, 9am-4pm at least three weeks prior to your tour. Go here for more information and the link to submit a tour request form.
On-site Private Lectures
For groups of 24 or more, there is an option of scheduling a private on-site lecture with one of our Curatorial or Design staff. Topics include iconic plants of the Garden, history of the garden and basic garden styles. Go here for more information and the link to submit a lecture request form.
Membership
Members of the Garden get free general admission all year long and receive discounts on classes, special events and more! They also get 20% off all qualifying purchases every time they shop in our Retail Nursery. All members will be asked to present their membership card when checking in at the kiosk.
Please email membership@ruthbancroftgarden.org with any questions.
What’s in Bloom
There’s always something to see at The Ruth Bancroft Garden! Pick up a “What’s in Bloom” guide when you check in for your tour. You may also enjoy our “What’s In Bloom” – Online Edition available on our YouTube channel. Enjoy a virtual tour of the Garden with our curator, Brian Kemble, as he highlights the plants and flowers at peak bloom each month.
Designer in the Nursery
During Designer in the Nursery, one of our Landscape Designers will be in the Nursery to help you with your quick design questions. Need to replace a plant or two? Have a couple of pots you want to fill? Want to know more about our Landscape Design services?
We’ll see you soon!
Driving Directions
Drive East on Highway 24, and continue onto 680 North.
Exit Treat Blvd. and turn right. Go approximately one mile, then turn right on Bancroft Road.
Make a U-turn at Stratton Road. The Ruth Bancroft Garden will be on your right.
Drive West on Interstate 80 and exit onto 680 South.
Exit at Treat Blvd. and turn left from the offramp onto North Main Street. Make the next left onto Treat Blvd.
Go approximately one mile, then turn right on Bancroft Road.
Make a U-turn at Stratton Road. The Ruth Bancroft Garden will be on your right.
Drive North on 680.
Exit Treat Blvd. and turn right. Go approximately one mile, then turn right on Bancroft Road.
Make a U-turn at Stratton Road. The Ruth Bancroft Garden will be on your right.
Parking
Parking is available at the main entrance. Make a right hand turn into the entrance driveway from Bancroft Rd. Click here for a view of the main entrance on Google Maps.
Parking is also available on the local side streets, Stratton Rd. and Banbury Rd. Please be respectful of our neighbors.
Due to limited parking space, we cannot accommodate vehicles that require more than 1 parking space. No parking over 4 hours and no parking unless you are visiting the Garden and/or nursery.
Public Transportation
Parking is limited; carpool or consider public transportation when possible. The Garden is located 1.5 miles from the Pleasant Hill BART Station and only three blocks from The Contra Costa Canal Trail, which can be accessed from the BART Station. The County Connection Bus also stops near the Garden during weekday commute hours.
To learn more about the Garden’s history…
Check out our History page.
To learn more about Ruth Bancroft…
Check out our Ruth Bancroft page.