The San Francisco Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park boasts thousands of plants from around the world, creating unique areas within the sprawling gardens. The Gardens of Golden Gate Park regularly host unique events, from the beloved flower piano series to massive light installations. One of our favorite programs is the monthly beginner watercolor classes held right in the gardens.
Watercolor painting in SF Botanical Gardens
On the last Saturday of every month, you can attend a two-hour painting course in the gardens, focusing on whatever is blooming at the time. This means no session is the same, and you can leave with a unique painting reflecting the season.
The classes run from 10 am to noon on Saturdays, with a maximum of 12 students. All the materials will be included, such as paper, brushes, and paints. The class is intended to be beginner-friendly, so students will be given watercolor paper with a sketch of the subject so they can easily dive into painting.
The class is led by. professional artist Marco Flavio, who has trained in painting and printmaking in Italy and Japan, respectively. Flavio currently works as a watercolor artist in the Bay Area.
The next painting session is on July 25, 2026, and we recommend booking tickets soon as space is limited. If you can’t make it to the July session, the classes are monthly, so you have plenty of other opportunities to check it out.
About the San Francisco Botanical Gardens
The San Francisco Botanical Garden spans an impressive 55,00 and boasts over 8,000 plants. The garden is known for its many Magnolia blooms every year, and its various gardens filled with plants from around the world. We recommend checking out the Moon Viewing Garden and the thriving Succulent Garden. The Botanical Garden is always free for San Francisco residents, and will also have periodic free days for visitors.
