The Gardens at Lake Merritt

Ton T

Looks a lot better then my garden

Jasmine Granas

This is one of my favorite places in the East Bay. I can't exactly explain why but I always feel so good when I am here. There's something so sweet and endearing about this place. I love the messy veggie gardens in the middle. The palm forest is heavenly. And the energy of the whole place is hopeful and peaceful.

Vader L

Peaceful place to relax... if you come to the park after 4:30 or so, there is no parking fees. :) Public washrooms will be locked around 6 pm. Bonsai garden closes at 4pm.

Marilyn Chilcote

I want to express my gratitude to the dozens of community volunteers who work trying to replace the efforts of the 16 professional gardeners which we as a city used to hire to maintain these gorgeous Gardens located here at Lake Merritt. What professional nail supervises the bunch of us, and hundreds of visitors and residents make use of the huge space which provides lots of corners individual meditation, or family picnics, or just communing and exploring. Bonsai Garden, Japanese Grotto, sensory garden, turtle pond, Dahlia garden, rose garden, Palm Garden with more varieties of Palms from all over the world than I knew were in existence! And there are spaces for toddlers and grandparents, little plots that families and individuals can claim for a season or two to grow some vegetables, they are gorgeous redwoods and many of the 400 varieties of trees which are located around the lake entire, this doesn't take into account the area dedicated to tips on composting, or the bee Hotel, or a rotating bunch of sculptures which seem to appear from time to time. So much to explore, that one's own pace. Unfortunately it has to close at 4 p.m. which is probably a result of lack of funding like the lack of gardeners. But this is a jewel in our city which deserves all the support we can give it. Don't miss it! Something for everybody.