Lakeside Park and Garden Center
Lakeside Park and Garden Center
4.5
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One of the best public gardens in the state offers Japanese, Polynesian, and many other types of gardens.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
12
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Kristina Hoerler
San Francisco, CA41 contributions
Jun 2014
I just stumbled upon this little gem. I wondered through the flower gardens in awe , and my heart rate and blood pressure instantly felt like it dropped! Beautiful sunshine filtered through a variety of greenery, very few people around and you hardly notice the ones there. You feel like you have the place to yourself! I sat on a Chinese garden bench and listened to the water in the fountain and enjoyed the warm breeze and rustle of leaves. I walked a bit more and started sketching some flowers that inspired me for some dress designs. My sister took my photo and the strangest thing! A rainbow looked as of it was shooting out from my heart although it had not rained and we were not close to the water! How wonderful!
A very pleasant walk/ read/ place to sit and meditate or work on a laptop!
A very pleasant walk/ read/ place to sit and meditate or work on a laptop!
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry P
8 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
If you want a place in Oakland to just sit and read, or enjoy the beauty of flowers and plants, hard to beat Lakeside Park and Garden Center. It includes a community garden, a scented garden for the blind and others interested in the smell of beauty, a banzai garden, a Japanese garden, and lots of benches tucked away along its paths. Lakeside Park includes the oldest bird sanctuary in North America, a nature center with a working beehive, a boathouse with boats for rent, a playground for young children, and areas for picnicking or throwing a frisby around.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dave P
Oakland, CA12 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The grand stand has great music from time to time and being in the location is peaceful for picnics and almost no need to bring but something to snack on and breath.. views here are great if into flowers especially roses the gardens are great to and what a quiet place in the middle of the city to visit..
Written August 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OaklandPat
Oakland16 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
It is worth the time to get here.. Its the best collection I have ever seen. There is always someone in the garden who knows all about them. I think they are all volunteers.
This is a treasure for Oakland. bring your friends from out of town
If they are into plants this is the collections to see.
Tuesday-Friday 11-3pm
Saturday 10-4pm
Sunday noon-4pm
This is a treasure for Oakland. bring your friends from out of town
If they are into plants this is the collections to see.
Tuesday-Friday 11-3pm
Saturday 10-4pm
Sunday noon-4pm
Written April 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,858 contributions
Nov 2020
This is a very pretty park along the Lake and one that we include when we walk around. It's part of the gem of Lake Merritt.
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann W
San Leandro, CA149 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
If you walk around the lake it is 3 flat miles. There are tons of birds. It is just gorgeous, especially now that it is tidal lake.
Written March 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KSGoh
California851 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
Small oasis from walk around Lake Merritt. Enjoyed the collections of Vireya Rhododendron in blooms. Beautiful paths through sections of succulent, palms, roses, Japanese garden, and a community garden. Wonderful place to sit and relax awhile.
Written May 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA188,167 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We enjoyed going to this delightful Lakeside Park and Garden Center by Lake Merritt. We parked in the lot by the garden area (it was inexpensive at $2.00 for a couple of hours), so had time to wander the delightful gardens. They are well maintained and a perfect place to see the flowers in bloom. There are all types of plants in seven different themed garden areas.
There is also the amazing Japanese bonsai garden that is maintained by volunteers as part of the garden area as well.
The gardens are free to see. and the garden is large and well maintained.
There is also the amazing Japanese bonsai garden that is maintained by volunteers as part of the garden area as well.
The gardens are free to see. and the garden is large and well maintained.
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol N
Oakland, CA37 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
This is a lovely garden with seasonal displays and is a part of the overall Lake Merritt locale. See Lake Merritt review to learn more of the area.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ebk16
Oakland, CA328 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
This is a lovely corner of Lake Merritt which has sections devoted to bonsai, native plants, aromatic gardens and a host of plants. Visitors to Oakland are well advised to "walk the lake" like we natives do and be sure to stop at the gardens.
Written November 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bibiflocfloc
Ardennes, France
Hi there,
Can we bring food/have a picnic there?
Also is it safe in the evening?
RubyDuo
Portland, OR142 contributions
Is this the same Lakeside park that used to have a laughing train? We loved this park for that train. Is this Fairyland? Was it resold/refurbished/remade?
RubyDuo
Portland, OR142 contributions
Oops. Nope, that is 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 You can see pictures at the Fairyland web site. I still have a key to the talking boxes which is what got me looking.
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Claim your listingLakeside Park and Garden Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lakeside Park and Garden Center
- Hotels near Lakeside Park and Garden Center:
- (0.23 mi) Bellevue Club
- (0.29 mi) Lake Merritt Hotel & Apartments
- (0.57 mi) Kissel Uptown Oakland
- (1.73 mi) Executive Inn & Suites
- (1.65 mi) Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel
- Restaurants near Lakeside Park and Garden Center:
- (0.15 mi) Bacheesos
- (0.14 mi) 1888 Coffee Station at Bacheesos
- (0.15 mi) Persian Nights
- (0.18 mi) Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) Oasis Kitchen