,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-122.39886,37.801044)/-122.43420515209436,37.78566488339244,11.519339355240442/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
Japanese Tea Garden vs Exploratorium
The Exploratorium and Japanese Tea Garden are both endorsed by experts. On balance, The Exploratorium is preferred by most reviewers compared to Japanese Tea Garden. The Exploratorium is ranked #2 in San Francisco with accolades from 9 publications like Michelin Guide, concierge.com and Not For Tourists.
Japanese Tea Garden
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Condé Nast Traveler
Afar Magazine
Not For Tourists
Show All Reviews
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94117
From $0 /night
Fodor's
"As you amble through the manicured landscape, past Japanese sculptures and perfect miniature pagodas, and over ponds of carp, you may feel transported to a more peaceful plane."
Full review
Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Since 1894, this picturesque 5-acre garden and bonsai grove has blushed with cherry blossoms in spring, turned flaming red with maple leaves in fall, and lost all track of time in the meditative Zen Garden."
Full review
Condé Nast Traveler
"The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States... located in Golden Gate Park, is a wonderful spot to relax while exploring the park."
Full review
i
Locals get a discount on entry ($5 instead of $7), so be sure to bring your ID.
Afar Magazine
"Visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco for a calming escape from the hustle and bustle of the city."
Full review
Not For Tourists
"Peaceful place to ponder."
Exploratorium
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Show All Reviews
Pier 15, on the Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
From $0 /night
Fodor's
"Walking into this fascinating "museum of science, art, and human perception" is like visiting a mad-scientist's laboratory."
Full review
Concierge
"Adults as well as kids will enjoy blowing giant bubbles or entering a tiny room that scrambles one's sense of perspective."
Frommer's
"Scientific American magazine rated the Exploratorium "the best science museum in the world" -- and I couldn't agree more."
Full review
Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Find answers to questions you wished you'd learned in school, at San Francisco's thrilling hands-on science museum."
Full review
Travel + Leisure
"Prepare to spend several hours here; rotating exhibits like “Making Sense of Sound,” where visitors don headphones to hear how deer, snakes, and other creatures process sound."
Full review
