General Membership Frequently Asked Questions

How to pay by check

To pay by check, please make your check out to: UC Botanical Garden
Mail it to: UC Botanical Garden, attention: Membership
200 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, CA 94720-5045

Please indicate whether you prefer a paper or digital membership card.

I just bought a membership – what happens next?

If you would like to visit the Garden prior to receiving your membership card, the staff at the Visitor Kiosk can verify your membership in our system or you may use your receipt as proof of membership until your digital membership card(s) arrive by email, usually within 3 days. During busier seasons, processing may take longer. We are happy to assist you with time sensitive memberships as well. Contact Member Services at 510-643-1924 or gardenmembership@berkeley.edu with questions.

  • Note: If you chose to receive a paper membership card, these will arrive by mail in 2-3 weeks.

When will my Membership expire?

Your Membership is valid for one year from the end of the month of purchase. If you have purchased a two-year Membership, then it is valid for two years from month of purchase. One month prior to the expiration of your Membership, you will receive a notice from the Garden telling you it’s time to renew. When you renew, we will update your membership for 12 months beyond your current expiration date.

I lost my membership card; what should I do?

Contact Member Services at 510-643-1924 or gardenmembership@berkeley.edu.  While waiting for your new card, you may visit the Garden by showing your photo ID at the Entrance Kiosk.

If I forget to bring my membership card, can I still visit the Garden for free?

Yes! Just bring your photo ID.

Do I need to make a reservation as a member? What about my guests?

UCBG Members do not need to make a reservation to visit the Garden during regular business hours, including all guests that are covered by your membership level. Simply check-in at the Kiosk with your membership card and ID.

For guests accompanying you outside of your membership level (e.g. a second person with an Individual level membership), a reservation is required. (For “sold out” time slots, tickets may be available at the Kiosk window if arriving in the same vehicle.)

Do you have a discounted Membership level for seniors, teachers, and students?

We do not offer teacher discounts on Garden Memberships. However, we do offer senior and UC Berkeley Affiliates discounts on the following terms.

Seniors ages 65 and over qualify for a discount on the Individual level only. Our senior discount is not available for purchase online. To join or renew at this rate, please either mail us your membership payment with proof of age, or pay at the Garden shop or kiosk with valid ID.

Currently enrolled UC Berkeley students are eligible for our Student rate.

Current California Alumni Association members; UC Retirement Center members, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members, as well as UCB or LBL staff or faculty, and UCBG volunteers qualify for UC Berkeley Affiliates rates (available at the individual and family levels only). To qualify for UC Berkeley Affiliates rates, please provide proof of your eligibility.

Is my Garden Membership payment tax-deductible?

All memberships at the $500 level or below are 100% tax deductible. At the Director’s Club level $900 is tax deductible. Please contact Member Services for information about the tax-deductible portion of your membership gift at other levels.

How do I get my member discount when registering for one of your programs?

To verify your membership, you must do one of two things: if you have used the online registration site before, please select the “sign in” button at the top of the page. After signing in you will be able to register for the event. OR, if you have not used the site before, select the “register” button at the top of the page to create an online account to verify your membership and proceed with event registration.

Troubleshooting Tips:
If you are trying to receive a link to reset your password but are not receiving that email- double check that you are using the same email you used the first time you set up our online account. Many people use multiple emails and have forgotten which one they originally used. If you need to change the email on your membership account, please contact the membership department to update your contact information: gardenmembership@berkeley.edu

The online site does not require you to enter any numbers or information found on your membership card. It allows a user to create an online username and password to log-in so that their membership can be verified and then they can proceed with signing up for a class, event or program.

Once a user has an online account, they can select “sign-in” in the future and their information will auto-populate and their membership will be verified.
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Can I change the name(s) on my Membership card after purchase?

You may change the name(s) on your Membership cards at any time, simply let us know the current name(s) you wish to be on the membership. You will then be issued cards with the new name(s).

Must a Family Membership have two names listed?

No. If only one name is on a Family level Membership, or higher, that one person may bring a guest with them each visit. One named member must always be present to use this benefit. Family level and above allows free admission for up to four children ages 5-17 (children under 4 are always free).

At what age do children need to be included on a Membership?

Children ages 4 and under may visit the Garden for free under our current admission pricing. Memberships at the Family level and above allow free admission for up to four children ages 5-17.

Does the member need to be present when using one-time guest passes?

No, guests may come on their own using member guest passes.

May I visit other gardens with my UC Botanical Garden membership?

Yes! The UC Botanical Garden is a member of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admission Program. Your Garden membership offers benefits at over 270 gardens, arboreta and conservatories nationwide! For a list of participating venues and the benefits they offer, please visit ahsgardening.org. Please be aware that the list is subject to change. Before visiting any garden, be sure to visit its website or call to verify hours of operation. Please remember to bring your UC Botanical Garden membership card with you when you travel to reciprocating gardens. (Please note: reciprocal privileges are for the member(s) named on the card only, and you may be required to show photo ID.)

Can I bring my nieces/neighbors/friends to a member’s only event?

Members-only events are designed specifically to benefit our named cardholders. To preserve the integrity of our membership program, we generally do not allow members to bring guests to our members-only events. In the case where guests may be permitted to attend, it will be noted in the event description. Complimentary one-time use guest passes may not be used for members-only events.

Can I transfer my membership to someone else?

No. Memberships are non-transferable.

 

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