One of the highlights of any visit to Golden Gate Park is a walk through the four-acre Japanese Tea Garden. Located near the Asian Art Museum, these beautifully landscaped grounds feature carp ponds, waterfalls, bonsai trees, and several Japanese-style buildings. As you wander through the garden you get a sense of the traditional Japanese appreciation for harmony and balance in all things.

The teahouse, which has been the focus of the garden since 1894, offers a wonderful spot to sit quietly with a cup of tea and reflect on the beauty of your surroundings. The simple menu includes a selection of teas (jasmine, green, oolong or iced) as well as standard soft drinks. All drinks are served with a complementary bowl of cookies (almond, sesame seed and fortune) and rice crackers. To complete the mood, the waitresses wear kimonos.

The Japanese Tea Garden is open daily. Facilities include a gift shop near the teahouse and restrooms near the gate to the tea garden. For more details, visit the Japanese Tea Garden page of the San Francicso Parks Trust.

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