Yerba Buena Gardens Festival | Frequently Asked Questions

Yerba Buena Gardens is a 2.5-block complex bordered by Mission, Folsom, 3rd and 4th Streets in San Francisco. This unique outdoor venue includes a 5.5 acre lawn, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Waterfall, the Sister City Garden, and several striking sculptures.

Unless indicated, all programs of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival are FREE of admission and take place on the Esplanade, at Mission St between 3^rd and 4^th Streets. Jessie Square is also at Mission St between 3^rd and 4^th Streets, directly across from the Esplanade. The Children’s Garden is located at Howard and 4th Streets, near the historic Looff Carousel. See the Getting Here page for directions.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival programs taking place in Yerba Buena Gardens are FREE of admission and no reservations are needed. Most events are designed for comfortable picnic style lawn seating. We have very limited chair seating, provided primarily for seniors and individuals who have a physical need for a chair. You may bring your own seating but please be considerate by bringing low folding chairs.

Our regular season runs from May through October. Please see our Calendar for dates and times.

We encourage the use of public transportation. All venues are fully ADA accessible.

BART/MUNI: Powell Station and Montgomery Station are both 2 blocks away.

MUNI Bus: 8-San Bruno, 14-Mission, 30-Stockton, 45-Union run directly past the Gardens. All Market Street routes have stops 1–2 blocks away.

CalTrain: The CalTrain station at 4th and Townsend is served directly by MUNI's 30 Stockton bus line. This line has convenient stops at 3^rd Street at Howard and at Mission.

Yerba Buena Gardens is also convenient to Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans and AC Transit downtown bus routes.

Driving From the East Bay: Take Interstate 80 and exit at Fremont Street. Take an immediate left from Fremont onto Howard Street and get into the right lane. Go two blocks and turn right on 3rd Street Yerba Buena Gardens will be on your left immediately across 3rd Street from SFMOMA.

Driving From the Peninsula: Take Highway 101 until it connects to Interstate 80 and exit at 4th Street; 4th Street immediately leads onto Bryant Street. Take a left from Bryant onto 3rd Street Yerba Buena Gardens will be on your left between Howard and Mission Streets and immediately across 3rd Street from SFMOMA.

Driving From the North Bay: Take Highway 101 to Lombard Street. Follow Lombard to Van Ness Avenue and turn right; follow Van Ness until you reach Golden Gate Avenue and turn left. Follow Golden Gate as it crosses Market Street onto 6th Street. Turn left from 6th Street onto Folsom Street and follow Folsom up to 3rd Street; turn left onto 3rd Yerba Buena Gardens will be on your left between Howard and Mission Streets and immediately across 3rd Street from SFMOMA.

Go to Google Maps for more driving directions.
See the Gardens Map for detailed areas within the Gardens.

There are a number of parking garages in the area; however, visitors are encouraged to use public transportation. The closest and largest garage is the 5th and Mission Garage (415-982-8522). Parking is also available at the Jessie Square Garage on Stevenson Street (415-978-9634) between 3rd and 4th Streets. Please note that parking availability in this busy downtown area can vary widely due to conventions, holidays, etc.

See the Gardens Map for nearby parking garages.

A limited number of chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each senior or disabled patron may be accompanied by one other person. 15 minutes to show time unoccupied seats become available for general seating. Wheelchairs are accommodated.

Picnics are welcome and encouraged, but cooking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. There is an abundance of food service providers in the vicinity ranging from fast food to high-end dining. Visit our In the Neighborhood page for a list of local restaurants.

No.

Sorry, pets are not allowed unless they are certified service companions.

Lost & Found is located at the Yerba Buena Gardens Management office, by the footbridge around near Samovar Tea Lounge. It is also around the corner from the YBAE office. Drop in (see Gardens Map) or call (415) 820-3550.

• Dress comfortably and remember to be prepared for both sun and fog - San Francisco is a place where one may experience all four seasons in a single afternoon!
• Blankets and tarps will be limited in size to 8' x 8'. Unoccupied blankets will be subject to removal and can be collected at Lost & Found.
• Please turn off cell phones during performances and move out of the audience area while using a mobile device.
• Please do not bring pets, bicycles, rollerblades, or beach umbrellas. Professional photo or video camera gear, telephoto lenses, tape recorders and flash photography are not allowed without advance permission by the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Gardens Management and the artists.
• Please be aware of personal items. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival or Yerba Buena Gardens Management does not assume responsibility for lost or stolen items.
• Backstage areas are restricted to authorized personnel.
• Unauthorized sales, solicitation, and distribution of printed materials and products are prohibited.
• By attending the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, each person consents that the Festival may photograph, film, videotape, record, or otherwise reproduce the image and/or voice of such person and use the same for any purpose whatsoever without any payment or liability to such person. Recording/photography of performers is strictly prohibited.
• Gardens Management reserves the right to revoke admission.
• Yerba Buena Gardens is managed in accordance with the San Francisco Parks Code.
• Smoking is not allowed in Yerba Buena Gardens.

Call Yerba Buena Arts & Events at (415) 543-1718 or check YBGF on Twitter on the day of the program for updated information.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival accepts unsolicited materials from artists. We are always interested in hearing from artists who perform in outdoor venues, especially those composing their own music or creating site-specific theater or dance.

Send electronic press kits to info@ybgf.org.

Please do not mail a press kit unless an electronic press kit is unavailable. Press kits can be mailed to:

Artistic Director
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
760 Howard St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Materials will be returned only if accompanied by a postage-paid self-addressed envelope.

The Festival reviews all materials received; however, due to the high volume of inquiries, we cannot guarantee someone will respond personally to your submission.

There are a number of areas of the Gardens available for private rentals. To learn more, visit the Rentals page or call us at (415) 543-1718. Small picnics without tables or other set-up are allowed in Yerba Buena Gardens. Please call Gardens Management at (415) 820-3550 if you have a group of over 25 persons.

Yes, please see our Film/Photo Shoot page or contact our office at (415) 543-1718 for details.

We often partner with our neighbors on specific projects or events; however, we are all independent non-profit arts organizations. Please see the In the Neighborhood page for contact information for our neighbors.

St. Patrick's Church is directly across the street from the Esplanade. Its bells ring at 12:15 every day. YBGF lunchtime concerts start afterwards as to not be interrupted.