Gardens in Oakland

Dunsmuir House was built by Alexander Dunsmuir, who came to the Bay Area in 1878. The grounds are home to a wide variety of trees, including Camperdown Elms, Bunya Bunya and Hornbeam, still grace the estates gardens and expansive meadows. In addition, the Hellman estate contained a golf course, formal croquet court, tennis court, swimming pool with Mission style bathhouse, glass conservatory with grotto, an elaborate aviary, formal garden maze, and Japanese garden.

This Arboretum was named for Emile Labadie who was an esteemed professor in the Landscape Horticulture department at Merritt College and also worked for the San Mateo Department of Agriculture.

The Rose Garden was constructed in 1932 as a project of the Works Progress Administration. It was named in honor of former Oakland mayor Fred N. Morcom. As well as thousands of roses, the garden features winding walkways, a reflecting pool, and a cascading fountain. The gardens are in bloom from Mothers Day in May through October 31 of each year.