Reservations & Permits

Snowdrop bush - Styrax redivivus
Photo by Linda Blide

The Garden welcomes group gatherings of up to 30 people for the following purposes:

  • Wedding ceremonies (not receptions)

  • Memorials (not receptions)

  • Photo and film shoots - regardless of commercial status

  • Organized group gatherings

  • Outside organized tours or classes

At least 30 days prior to your event date, you may choose a site in the Garden for your event and reserve it for a maximum of two hours. The reservation fees are as follows:

  • $125/hour for residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties

  • $200/hour for all other counties

There is a $500 refundable deposit and $8 service charge for each reservation.

The reservation holder is responsible for guest and vendor compliance with these rules. Failure to comply with these rules will result in forfeiture of your deposit. Damage to plants or Garden landscape will also result in forfeiture of your deposit.

Reservation procedure

Before confirming your reservation, you must visit the Garden, meet with Garden staff, and select the site you wish to use in the garden.

  1. Call the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (510-544-3169) to check availability of dates and make arrangements to meet with staff to select a site in person.

  2. Visit the Garden and meet with staff to select the site in the Garden.

  3. Call the East Bay Regional Park District Reservations Department (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM) to book your reservation. Call 1-888-327-2757 (1-888-EBPARKS), option 2. Your event date is not confirmed until all fees are paid in full.

Event rules

Due to the Garden's small staff and limited parking as well as its intricate landscaping, we impose the following rules for all events in the Garden.

  • Group size must be limited to 30 people maximum.

  • The Garden may not be used for any type of reception. Amplified sound is not allowed.

  • You must select one area for your event. Please keep in mind that people with limited mobility may find it difficult to get to many of the desirable sites.

  • Reservation time includes set-up, ceremony, and clean-up time. You will not be allowed to extend your reservation time.

  • All events must finish within their reserved time.

  • All events must take place between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM The Garden closes at 5:00 PM. The Anza View Road gate close at 4:30 PM.

  • The East Bay Regional Park District picnic cancellation policy applies to cancellation of event reservations at the Botanic Garden.

  • The Garden does not supply chairs, canopies, or any other supplies.

  • No vehicles are allowed to enter the Garden. Chairs and supplies must be brought into the Garden by hand or by hand-cart and may only be brought in on the same day as the event.

  • Throwing of any material such as rice, bird seed or other seed, balloons, or confetti is prohibited.

  • Littering is prohibited.

  • Drones are prohibited according to East Bay Regional Park District Ordinance 38.

  • Groups bringing many cars may have to distribute them on two sides of the Garden in order to find enough parking spaces.

  • The restrooms for the Garden are at the main parking lot across Wildcat Canyon Road from the main entrance to the Garden. There are no restrooms in the Garden, nor is there a dressing room.

  • The Garden is a public park. There will often be Garden visitors who happen to walk close to the wedding. Although the staff and volunteers will do their best to assure that there are no intrusions on the ceremony, Garden visitors are welcome to roam the Garden freely.

  • Current Garden and EBRPD Covid Guidelines must be followed by all attendees.

  • Do not bring plants, seeds, or soils into the Garden.

  • Stay on trails and out of the plant beds. Do not rearrange plants, rocks, or structures in the Garden. Do not collect plants, rocks, seeds, or wildlife.

Photography and filming notice

Use of the Botanic Garden for commercial or noncommercial filming, photography, or videotaping of print ads, commercials, movies, videos, and the like is allowed only with a written permit from the East Bay Regional Park District and may require payment of a fee. Commercial operation of cameras as part of bona fide reporting of news is exempted from this rule.