Tucked beside the Conservatory of Flowers, just off JFK Promenade, a unique garden is blooming with hundreds of varieties of dahlias. Called the Dahlia Dell, the garden is free to visit and open to the public, featuring beautiful flowers that bloom each summer.
The blooms typically start in July and peak in late August, although you can still expect to see flowers well into September. If you haven’t had the chance to make it out to the dell yet, now is the time to do it before the blooms come to an end. Dahlias have a long history in San Francisco. The flower has been grown in Golden Gate Park since the 1880s, and was even named the city’s official flower in 1926.
The Dahlia Dell is managed by the Dahlia Society of California, and dedicated volunteers routinely tend to the garden. You can often spot people working in the flowerbeds to maintain the numerous varieties of dahlias throughout the summer. The Dahlia Society of California was established over 100 years ago in 1917, just a few years after the Dahlia Society of America was formed. The society still holds monthly meetings and events, and has maintained the beautiful garden in Golden Gate Park for years.
The Dahlia Society will also give a garden tour next weekend on September 13. The tours are every 30 minutes from 10 am to 11:30 am, led by members of the Dahlia Society. No tickets are necessary, and all ages are welcome on the educational tour.
The Dahlia Dell is located right next to the Conservatory of Flowers and is always open to the public. This September also marks the return of the popular Flower Piano event held in Golden Gate Park’s Botanical Garden, featuring free and ticketed concerts in the beautiful gardens. You can expect professional musicians performing, or sit at a hidden garden piano yourself.
While you’re in the park, we recommend checking out the summer pop-up bar on JFK promenade, free concerts at the Golden Gate Bandshell, and exploring the scenery at the Botanical Garden. Plus, for rainy days, you can always explore the de Young museum and California Academy of Sciences.