Your Event at the Garden
The Garden offers five unique outdoor venues for creating an unforgettable event. Whether you’re seeking an intimate ceremony location, hosting a wedding reception, celebrating an anniversary, throwing a company picnic, or creating an inspiring corporate event, the Garden is a magical and timeless location for your special occasion.
Event Locations
Celebration Garden
Capacity: Up to 600
Newly renovated in 2019, the Celebration Garden is our largest and most versatile outdoor venue with an amazing array of iconic plants from throughout the Botanical Garden that includes Mesoamerican ferns, Southeast Asian and South American palms and African impatiens. Conveniently located by the Main Gate, this expansive manicured garden can accommodate a variety of events including intimate ceremonies by the Thomas Church Pavilion, elegant tented receptions on the large green lawn, while also facilitating a private and casual atmosphere for company picnics or team-building retreats.
Garden of Fragrance
Capacity: Up to 100
The perfect backdrop for smaller weddings or commitment ceremonies. This romantic garden features a large green lawn surrounded by an expansive collection of uniquely scented flowering plants.
Moon Viewing Garden
Capacity: 20 Standing Only
A world away from the fast pace of the city, the Moon Viewing Garden’s zen like atmosphere is the perfect setting for couples to exchange their vows and provides a beautiful site for wedding pictures.
Redwood Grove
Capacity: 70
Tucked away down treelined pathways, redwood trees circle this venue, creating both a sacred and celebratory feeling for an intimate ceremony or a relaxed team-building retreat. Fixed wooden benches are included.
Zellerbach Garden of Perennials
Capacity: 150
Zellerbach Garden, with its abundance of pastel flowering perennials, stone columns, and three wooden arbors, is an idyllic setting for making memories. Perfect for intimate ceremonies and light cocktail receptions or grander events utilizing the large adjacent green lawn.
*Due to Covid-19, maximum capacity and event guidelines, including catering, will be adjusted to comply with SF Health Department Directives for outdoor ceremonies and small gatherings.
Event Rental Types
1 Hour Micro Ceremony
Ideal for elopements, intimate weddings and mini ceremonies with up to 20 people.
The 1-hour timeframe is for simple standing ceremonies only, with no set-up or deliveries required.
2 Hour Ceremony Only
Perfect for individuals or couples who want a short and simple ceremony and will be hosting a reception at another facility.
Maximum guest count is 100.
All events must end by 5pm.
The 2-hour time frame includes set-up, ceremony, and clean-up. Ceremonies are standing only except in the Redwood Grove where benches are included. No deliveries of any kind are permitted, and the ceremony requires minimal set-up or décor. Catering and the serving of alcohol is not permitted.
4 Hour Ceremony or Event Rental
Ideal for those who would like a seated ceremony, casual meeting, or a light cocktail-reception.
*Maximum guest count is 200
Available locations: Celebration Garden, Garden of Fragrance, Redwood Grove, Zellerbach Garden
All events must end by 5pm.
The 4-hour time frame includes set-up, ceremony, light cocktail reception if time permits, and clean-up. Delivery/pick-up service for rental equipment is permitted within rental time frame. Small pop-up tents or umbrellas only. Catering and the serving of alcohol is limited.
*Guest counts above 200 may require additional hours for setup and breakdown.
10 Hour Event Rental – Celebration Garden
For all after hour events, or those events that include tenting, full-service catering, multiple vendors, or event build-out required.
Maximum guest count is 600
Rental time frame: All events must end by 12am, including clean-up.
The 10-hour time frame includes setup and breakdown. Amplified sound is permitted up to 10pm. Tenting is permitted with prior approval.
For questions or to request a reservation, please complete the following form:
Frequently asked questions
Can I have amplified sound?
Amplified sound is permitted in the Celebration Garden. A permit and sound monitoring by Park Patrol is required. Additional fees apply. Amplified sound must conclude by 10pm.
What is the latest my event can go?
10 Hour events in the Celebration Garden must conclude by 12MN, including cleanup. All other events and ceremonies must conclude by 5pm.
Will my event location be private/closed to the public?
With the exception of the Celebration Garden, we limit access into the gardens but do not guarantee complete privacy.
Do you have WiFi?
There is no dedicated WiFi within the Garden. Depending on your phone carrier, cell service is accessible in most of the Garden.
Is there access to electricity?
A generator will be required for electricity. There is no access within the Garden.
Do you have parking?
Limited street parking is available on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and surrounding streets. The Music Concourse Parking Garage is within walking distance of the Garden. For the hours and for additional information http://goldengateparking.com/. Valet service can be utilized with prior approval and permitting through SF Rec and Parks.
Can I tent in the Garden?
The Celebration Garden is available for tenting. Depending on the tent and layout, up to 400 people can be seated on the main lawn. Additional setup and breakdown days may be required.
Does the rental fee include admission for my guests?
Your rental includes admission to the Garden for you, your guests and your vendors. They may enjoy the Garden during the hours that it is open to the public.