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    Gamble Garden

    4.6 (184 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Services - Gamble Garden

    Venue rental

    Gamble Garden Photos

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    Greenhouse
    Ivan B.

    I was looking online about this garden. Honestly, I thought that it's going to be very big based on the map, but it's just a medium-sized garden with a house. I think that this garden has been here for decades and workers took very care of that garden. There weren't many people visiting this garden probably because I came here on Monday, but there were pretty nice gardens and flowers to look at. It also has a green house and a two-story house I believe. Idk if anyone lives inside that house with a garden, but probably the Gamble family has been living there for a while. Otherwise, it's most likely an office, museum, or used for something else like a preservation. I wanted to stop by here since I like going to gardens and taking pictures of plants and nature. Honestly, there wasn't really much here since the garden isn't really big, but it's still a nice place though.

    Saydee B.

    I loved spending time here. There are so many flowers I have never seen before that just took my breath away!

    Win L.

    Very peaceful here. Great place for a walk or even picnic. Lots of beautiful plants/flowers. It's free to wander and there are also community events held regularly. Check their website for dates/times. The garden is free and dog friendly as well!

    My favorite bush at Gamble Garden.
    Joyce H.

    My dog and I love visiting Gamble Garden. It's a beautiful garden off Waverley in Palo Alto. I love that it's a free and fun place to visit year around. They have lots of wonderful volunteer opportunities that brings the community together. It's a historic building and they have tours of the house and grounds. Some of the events are tea parties, luncheons, tours, seasonal faires and art workshops. Check out their website for all the cool events throughout the year. They hold lots of awesome events year round and plant seasonal flowers so every season feels special and the plants are always thriving and unique. Dogs are welcome. Just be responsible so we can all continue to share this special and wonderful place.

    Ally W.

    I have always known about Gamble Garden because I used to work near it. The garden is located on the historic Elizabeth Gamble property. Every second Saturday the house is open to the public. I've gone here for holiday tea (very popular and fills up quickly.) Gamble also has classes. This Fall I took my parents to the succulent pumpkin class, taught by volunteers. It was very fun. A little pricey at $60 a person but more affordable than their floral classes ($160 a person). The class was engaging and fun and we learned some techniques. The end result was wonderful. They also offer some art classes like cyanotypes that I may be interested in doing. I like paying for the class because it also supports this nonprofit organization.

    Arnel E.

    It's our second time here in the garden. Our first was during a sunny spring morning. This Saturday's weather, however, is chilly and threatening showers. This free to the public garden now has colorful flora blanketing the cultivated plots. Spring does bring out the bright hues of the tulips and, of course, the California Poppies. Always a good reason to be snap happy with our phones when in the Palo Alto area.

    Chicken Marcella with orzo  Salad with cranberries and pecans
    Patricia A.

    RAFFLE WINNER Yes, I was the raffle winner for the Christmas luncheon at Gamble Garden. This was The first time here and really enjoyed the ambiance of a Christmas past. Tablescape with the vintage tea cups added to the ambiance and Christmas season. Employees/volunteers were welcoming and attentive during our luncheon. TODAY'S MENU Holiday tomato soup, JM roll Chicken marsala with orzo Salad vinaigrette, cranberries and pecans Chocolate cake with amarena cherries coffee * tea Tomato soup was tasty and the JM roll paired well with it. I really enjoyed the salad with the cranberries and pecans, Chicken marsala had a good flavor and texture. The cake was and the cherries were a hit. After our lunch we took a tour of the garden and enjoyed the hidden treasures we found there. Will have to keep Gamble Garden in mind for next year.

    Thia L.

    Always a Breath of Fresh Air every time we are here!!! We have made this place a yearly thing now for me and my friends. We love it here in this time of year. Plenty of Springs Sunshines! The time of year where everything grows in Full Bloom. Just wonderful Fragrances! I definitely recommend this Gamble Garden if you're into Plants and Flowers

    Lara R.

    This is a lovely garden at any time of year, there isalways something to see. March and April are truly spectacular. Free to the public. Parking is great unless an event is taking place. They have some great events there throughout the year. Membership gets you discounts for events, 10% discount @ Summer Winds Nursery, and benefits at some other places around the U.S.

    Joan W.

    This is a lovely free 2.5 acre garden that has lots of colorful flowers and plants located about a mile from the shops on University Avenue. It's great for flower enthusiasts, meditative walks, and for Stanford parents looking for something to do in Palo Alto. Every season has something different to offer. I love the tulips and daffodils in the spring and the dahlias in summer. Everything is very manicured and taken care of. I was impressed on the number of edible vegetables they had like pumpkin, squash, corn, and large tomatoes I believe heirloom tomatoes.

    Picnic table
    Annabelle R.

    This is a simple, free, beautiful garden, with a few picnic tables/seating, just a small area of shade, and the highlight for me, a giant bunny shrub sculpture (okay it's not that giant, but it's bigger than me). There's nothing too extravagant, and the garden's pretty small, so you can view all of the flowers and decor in a short amount of time, but I imagine more people come here just to relax. Though there's no grassy area for picnicking. All of the plants and flowers are labeled (well, most of it) if you like being able to identify what you're looking at. I learned that one of the flowers/colors I like is called Coprosma Reopens 'Tequila Sunrise' (common name Looking Glass Plant 'Tequila Sunrise' though it was labeled by the Latin name in the garden). The Gamble Garden is a nonprofit org dedicated to education and attached to a historic home. The garden is open everyday "during daylight hours" according to their website. There is plenty of free street parking nearby and in the neighborhood, so it's easy and convenient to pay a visit.

    Gamble Garden
    John D.

    Presidential Garden Historic 2.5-acre garden and house that was built in 1902 and later donated to the City by Elizabeth Gamble, granddaughter of James Gamble the co-founder of Procter and Gamble. The Good: *Well-maintained and manicured garden *Free admission *Street parking available, as well as parking lots *Would be a great place to have a wedding or private event. *Some good tips on attracting native insects *Restrooms available (M-F only) The Meh: *No Restrooms on weekends *Not the best place to visit in the fall/winter. The Ugly: *Evidently, from what I can tell, you don't need a permit to do commercial photography here. So expect the silence to be broken by annoying professional photographers trying to coax and cajole smiles from grumpy toddlers. TLDR: Lovely garden that would be best in the spring and summer.

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    Beautiful garden that's immaculately kept, with not a weed in sight. Totally worth a visit.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Gamble Garden

    My son is going here for a field trip tomorrow and i would like to know is it good for field trips?

    It's a great place to go for a field trip if you like to learn the history of Palo Alto. I would take the house tour.… Read more

    Do you open on weekends?

    Yes. Occasionally, we close half of the garden for private events, but most of the time, at least half of the garden is publicly accessible. Please give the office a call if there is a specific date you would like to check.

    Is it open to the public to come do family photos?? Are there a lot of bloomed flowers right now?

    I’ve seen many families taking photos there I don’t think there are any issues with photos. There are always different flowers in bloom!

    Are we allowed to picnic at Gamble Garden?

    Yes, we have picnic benches

    How much do you charge for renting a space for hosting a private party?

    It is $100/hour except for summer weekends which are $1200 for 8 hours.

    Can we just come to walk around to take the pictures? Do we have to buy tickets? Thanks

    There is no set ticket price. Donations are welcome is their policy.

    What time does the garden close for taking pictures?

    We are an open gate.

    View All 14 Questions

    Review Highlights - Gamble Garden

    Whenever I'm in the area and have some time, I stop by for a stroll around the garden to see what's in bloom.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

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