Join
Become a Garden Member! A membership to the UC Botanical Garden means free admission year-round, allowing you to experience the wonder and beauty of nature from season to season.
As one of the most diverse plant collections in North America, the Garden has something new to discover with every visit. Your membership also provides many exclusive benefits, from members-only activities to discounts in our shop and local nurseries.
In addition, our loyal members find gratification in knowing that their membership directly supports our vital plant conservation efforts; our resources for global scholarly research; and educational outreach connecting people to plants and the natural world.
Core membership benefits for all levels:
Free daily admission, no reservation required
- Members’ Only Hour, 9:00–10:00 am, Wednesday through Monday
- Exclusive members-only events and tours, including behind-the-scenes tours of the Garden’s vast collections with UCBG horticulturists and experts
- Reciprocal privileges at over 380 gardens, arboreta, and conservatories throughout North America and the Cayman Islands
- 10% discount at the UCBG Garden Shop, and select local nurseries
- Discounts on classes, workshops
- Exclusive mailing of the Annual Report
- Receive a special discount to a Bay Nature membership, which includes a one-year subscription to the quarterly Bay Nature magazine along with many other great benefits like free access to exclusive Bay Nature Hikes and Bay Nature Talks. Find a complete list of Bay Nature benefits here. ($15 off a 1-year $40 membership for UC Botanical Garden members. Discount code provided upon membership purchase, included in receipt)
- All Membership sales, including gift memberships, are non-refundable and non-transferable
Additional unique benefits associated with each level can be viewed below.
Membership Levels:
- All of the Benefits as specified above
- Unlimited free admission for one adult during regular Garden hours
- Two free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- If purchasing a two-year membership: Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only)
- 100% tax deductible
Seniors ages 65 and over qualify for a discount on the Individual level only.
- All of the Benefits as specified above
- Unlimited free admission for one adult during regular Garden hours
- Two free one-time guest passes (for general admission only) per membership year
- 100% tax deductible
- All of the Benefits as specified above
- Unlimited free admission for two adults (two cardholders) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours
- Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- If purchasing a two-yr membership: Eight (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only)
- 100% tax deductible
- Our Best Value! Visit over 1,000 museums and gardens for free!
- All of the Benefits as specified above
- Unlimited free admission for four adults (two cardholders+ two guests) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours
- Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- Membership in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) and the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) offering free admission and benefits at over 1,000 participating US and Canadian museums.
- 100% tax deductible
- All of the Benefits as specified aboveplus NARM and ROAM reciprocal privileges (see Family Plus)
- Unlimited free admission for four adults (two cardholders + two guests) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours
- Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- Invitation for two to the annual Director’s Reception
- 100% tax deductible
- All of the Benefits as specified above plus NARM and ROAM reciprocal privileges (see Family Plus)
- Unlimited free admission for four adults (two cardholders + two guests) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours
- Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- Invitation for two to the annual Director’s Reception
- Two free one-time passes for a Redwood Grove concert
- Private docent-led tour of the Garden for up to ten guests
- $900 tax deductible
- All of the Benefits as specified above
- Unlimited free admission for one adult during regular Garden hours
- Two free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- 100% tax deductible
Only current UC Berkeley Students are eligible for this rate. NOTE: Before you receive your membership packet the Garden will verify your affiliation status.
- All of the Benefits as specified above.
- Unlimited free admission for one adult during regular Garden hours
- Two free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- 100% tax deductible
UC Berkeley Affiliates are eligible for these lower rates: If you are a current UCB or LBNL staff, faculty or student, UCBG Volunteer, Cal Alumni Association member, UC Retirement Center member, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute member you qualify for these rates. NOTE: Before you receive your membership packet the Garden will verify your affiliation status.
- All of the Benefits as specified above.
- Unlimited free admission for two adults (two cardholders) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours
- Four (total) free one-time guest passes (for general admission only), per membership year
- 100% tax deductible
UC Berkeley Affiliates are eligible for these lower rates: If you are a current UCB or LBNL staff, faculty or student, UCBG Volunteer, Cal Alumni Association member, UC Retirement Center member, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute member you qualify for these rates. NOTE: Before you receive your membership packet the Garden will verify your affiliation status.
Gift Membership
To purchase a Gift Membership, select the level above and click “Join/Renew.” On the purchase page, check the box next to “This Membership is a Gift.” The system will prompt you to fill in your gift recipient’s information, and we will email the Membership information, including a Welcome email, directly to the recipient.
Digital Membership
- Please note that all memberships default to a digital membership unless you choose otherwise.
- Your digital membership card will arrive by email within three (3) business days. If you would like to visit the Garden before then, please check-in at the kiosk entrance and present ID when you arrive. Your membership status will be available and allow you immediate entry.
- If you do not have an email address or prefer to receive a paper card, please choose the blue box on the membership sign-up form that says “I prefer a paper membership card.”
- If you choose to convert from a paper to a digital membership please contact the membership office.
All Garden membership sales are final. All sales, including gift memberships, are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Still have questions? Contact us at gardenmembership@berkeley.edu, or call (510) 643-1924, Mon through Fri, 9:00 am–4:00 pm.