Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Called "A Gem of the East Bay," and voted "Best Botanical Garden" by Sunset Magazine (2019), a visit to the Ruth Bancroft Garden offers visitors an opportunity to see cacti, succulents, California natives and other rare and unusual drought tolerant plant species from around the world. The Garden features many large, mature plant specimens, originally planted by founder, Ruth Bancroft, that are not often seen in other dry gardens, making for a unique visitor experience all seasons of the year.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dogs on leash welcome
Picnics welcome but no food is sold on site.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Dogs on lease are welcome
Children 4 and under are Free
Check Garden's website for upcoming events.
Visitors are always welcome to freely browse and shop in our retail plant nursery
Self Guided Tour Book
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
The Ruth Bancroft Garden
Discover this world-renowned 3.5-acre garden, housing a large and unique collection of succulents, cacti and drought-tolerant plants from around the world. Beautiful in every season. The Garden’s founder, Ruth Bancroft, lived to be 109 and was a pioneer in drought-tolerant gardening. Looking for a fun and relaxing outing with family and friends, garden inspiration, or a great place to picnic, take photos, paint or bring the dog, the Garden is the perfect choice. Bring your lunch along and make it a picnic! Free parking. Note: The Garden is handicapped accessible, but the pathways are gravel not paved. There is seating scattered throughout the Garden including wooden benches and chairs and several sets of café tables. No food is sold on-site.
Options
Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
I’m giddy with ideas
H2916ALangiec,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The garden was magnificent! I didn’t know about this garden until friends and family started randomly making comments about it. Their enthusiasm made me book immediately . I wasn’t disappointed, and through their garden design realized what I could do to incorporate cactus, succulents and California natives in my garden
Interesting and informative,beautiful colors and composition.
Gary M,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Incredibly interesting succulents and other plants. Well laid out paths, however, the sections could have been numbered so that we could find areas more easily.
Fascinating!
ladeaut,
Aug 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The garden is small, so it's easy to see it all in a couple hours. There is an amazing variety of desert plants, cacti and other succulents. It's also very well kept and the objet d'arts (from local artists?) throughout the garden are fascinating. Very reasonable price, also. Incidentally, we started our visit to Walnut Creek and the garden with another couple by having lunch with them at Va de Vi restaurant in Walnut Creek. Wonderful food, wonderful service, perfect outdoor seating--highly recommended.
Ruth Bancroft Garden
Revathirajakumar,
Nov 18, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ruth Bancroft Garden This place has an amazing collection of cacti, succulents, trees, and other unique plants. It takes about an hour or two to explore the beautiful gardens. The entrance has a cute nursery with lovely plants.
Amazing experience in surreal garden
robertbuch47,
Oct 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing collection of plants, shrubs and trees from all over the world. It was a great experience. Both our grandchildren ages 6 and 10 enjoyed walking around the impressive garden. We took lots of pictures! Plenty to see.
Light
Compass45565643280,
Jan 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent exhibits! My 2 years old grand daughter had a ball. She was monitoring the laser beam and have a lot of fun!! The hot chocolate is an unexpected bonus on a wet night . The ranger staff are very knowledgeable and friendly!!
2022 Garden of D’Light - 🎆 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Awesome!
Camper156591,
Nov 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful experience… so creative and artful. Amazing visually and conceptually, to walk through the gardens and see the plants transformed by color, light and dazzling yet simple effects… I went the opening night (Nov. 25) with my daughter. We both loved the experience. It would even be beautiful in the rain, if you bring a big umbrella. Hint: be sure to see the “aquarium.” Also the “cats.” So many delightful surprises & magical moments! 🌵 🌺 🐟 🌵 🎆
Succulent lovers’ idea if heaven.
Sharon D,
Aug 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. An enormous variety of succulents and cactus from all over the world. Fantastic shopping in their huge nursery and gift area. You can start a real obsession with succulents here. Close to 680 and parking is free.
Nice way to spend a morning
Joe B,
Jun 14, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00The Bancroft Gardens has a really interesting collection of primarily drought tolerant plants. They have some very big agaves, etc. additionally, there are nursery has very reasonably priced plants to take home.
bad
jackpD6411FY,
May 13, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00very rude people. cost way to much for so little. Very bad place. was not fun. i wish it could have been a better place for my date and i.
From $15.00
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Operated by The Ruth Bancroft Garden