Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Botanical Garden & Nursery in Walnut Creek, CA
Ruth Bancroft Garden is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to preserving and promoting climate-resilient plants through its 3.5-acre dry garden and retail nursery in Walnut Creek, California. Founded in 1972, the garden showcases over 2,000 plant species, including agaves, aloes, cacti, and California natives, reflecting Ruth Bancrofts vision of a natural, unmarked landscape. Our team of expert horticulturists and landscape designers provides educational programs, workshops, and design consultations, emphasizing water conservation and sustainable gardening. The nursery offers drought-tolerant plants suited to the East Bay microclimate, while the garden hosts events like weddings, art exhibitions, and seasonal festivals.Accredited as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, we prioritize accessibility through free and discounted admission programs. Our staff includes certified landscape architects and horticultural specialists with decades of combined experience. The gardens mission extends to conservation, community engagement, and inspiring climate-resilient practices. Members receive reciprocal admission to 345+ botanical gardens nationwide. We maintain strict operational transparency, adhering to ethical standards in plant care, customer service, and environmental stewardship.
Services
Botanical Garden
Plant Nursery
Landscape Design
Private Event Rentals
Educational Programs
Photography Sessions
Guided Tours
Plant Sales
Art Exhibitions
Seasonal Festivals
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Voted 'Best Wedding Venue in the East Bay' by Diablo Magazine for five consecutive years.
- Home to 'The Most Beautiful Garden in the World' by TripAdvisor.
- Largest selection of Proteaceae in Northern California.
- Expert-led landscape design services tailored to Mediterranean climates.
- Offers educational programs for all ages, including family-friendly field trips.
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
What people say
Stunning plant collection
Perfect wedding venue
Expert nursery staff
Inspiring landscape design
Welcoming family environment
Services
Botanical Garden
Experience a world-renowned 3.5-acre dry garden featuring drought-tolerant plants from around the globe, including agaves, aloes, and California natives. The garden preserves Ruth Bancrofts artistic vision through unmarked pathways and naturalistic design. Visitors explore meandering trails showcasing over 2,000 plant species thriving in the East Bays Mediterranean climate.
Plant Nursery
Our nursery offers climate-resilient plants tailored to the East Bays microclimate, including California natives, succulents, and Proteaceae. Expert staff provide guidance on plant selection and care. Seasonal sales and workshops promote sustainable gardening practices to help customers create water-efficient landscapes.
Landscape Design
Transform outdoor spaces with climate-adaptive landscape plans created by certified designers. Services include site analysis, plant selection, and custom design plans. Hourly consultations and full-service installations focus on drought tolerance, wildfire mitigation, and aesthetic appeal for residential properties.
Private Event Rentals
Host weddings, corporate events, or celebrations in a unique botanical setting. The garden accommodates up to 150 guests with indoor and outdoor venues. Dedicated coordinators ensure seamless execution of events, from ceremonies to cocktail hours, with on-site amenities and flexible rental packages.
Educational Programs
Engage in adult and childrens education programs exploring climate-resilient gardening. Classes cover plant care, design techniques, and ecological stewardship. Field trips and workshops foster intergenerational learning, emphasizing hands-on experiences and conservation principles for all ages.
People
Kate
Design Services Director
Kate leads landscape design initiatives with 15+ years of Bay Area horticultural experience. She holds degrees in Landscape Architecture and Museum Studies, focusing on sustainable design and plant resilience. Her expertise bridges Ruth Bancrofts legacy with modern ecological practices.
Gonzalo Mannucci
Associate Landscape Designer
Gonzalo brings 27 years of Bay Area design expertise, specializing in native plants and fire-resistant landscapes. A licensed architect, he merges technical skill with environmental stewardship. His work emphasizes locally sourced materials and California-specific plant palettes for resilient gardens.
Molly
Associate Landscape Designer
Molly combines landscape architecture expertise with a passion for connecting people to nature. A UC Berkeley graduate, she focuses on residential designs that balance aesthetics with ecological function. Her projects prioritize biodiversity and climate adaptation in urban settings.
Questions
What are the garden's operating hours?
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Last entry at 3:15 PM.
Does the garden offer guided tours?
Self-guided tours with printable booklets are available. Private group tours can be scheduled in advance.
Can I host a wedding at the garden?
Yes, we offer wedding rentals for 31-150 guests with indoor and outdoor venue options.
Are photography sessions allowed?
Professional photo sessions are available after hours for a fee of $500-550.
Is the nursery accessible to all visitors?
Yes, we offer wheelchair rentals and ADA-compliant facilities for visitor accessibility.
Does the garden accept plant donations?
We accept plant donations that align with our climate-resilient focus and collection needs.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Claire Audette-Bauman
Jun 12, 2022
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Absolutely stunning mix of cacti, succulents, trees and more, including some I've never seen anywhere else before! Would highly recommend coming here and spending an hour or two exploring the spectacular gardens. There are very helpful docents walking around to answer questions. Also adorable nursery with beautiful plants and pots at the entrance. Great place to bring kids, they even have garden bingo for them to play.
Vicky Vuong
May 07, 2022
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Gorgeous garden, worth the visit to see all the plants. Mostly succulents and palms, but they also provide a pamphlet that highlights the plants in bloom at the moment.
Michelle M.
Dec 27, 2021
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The Ruth Bancroft Garden is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Walnut Creek. Attending Garden of D'Lights was probably one of the most memorable moments of my holiday season this year. We left with two of the most beautiful Poinsettias. Thank you, RBG Team for this hidden gem!
Radhe Lesny
Dec 18, 2021
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What a gorgeous garden. I became a member and went to the garden for the lights during the holidays. I had been wanting to go for years and it didn't disappoint. My sister, daughter and I all couldn't stop saying how beautiful it was. Can't wait to go back during the day to see what that's like. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Salen
Oct 15, 2021
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This is a beautiful botanic garden made up primarily of succulents. Huge variety of plants. Nicely designed with places to stop and linger among the plants and trees. The koi pond is lovely. The nursery has a large selection of healthy succulents and cacti along with planters and other garden supplies. Go on a weekday if you can. The walkways are gravel so there are wheelchairs to borrow that have mountain bike tires. This is a friendly and welcoming place.
Fanny
Sep 25, 2021
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Although I often see plants for dry weather on the streets, this place was still nice to visit. The garden has plants that are much bigger than what you would see on the streets. The front desk was helpful, they gave me a pamphlet for a self guided tour with a sheet inside to show what is in bloom. The paths throughout the garden are dirt and not paved, so your shoes might get dirty.
