San Francisco is one of the most amazing cities in the world with its steep hills, breathtaking views and temperate climate. Flowers in San Francisco can be found in abundance growing in the many parks or quaint neighborhoods of the city, as well as being peddled by street vendors in Union Square and the Financial District. Take a picture or take some home, it’s your choice!
Buying Flowers in San Francisco
Getting out and wandering flower markets or florist shops can be a relaxing experience, but if you have an event or occasion in mind it’s a good idea to do some planning first. Before you begin your search for the perfect pansies or ideal irises, be sure to have a good idea what you’re looking for. Shopping for a simple bouquet or fresh flowers in San Francisco with which to decorate your home or condo involves a different strategy than say planning for a large ceremony or event. In instances like seminars or large destination weddings, advanced planning is almost always recommended. These are times when it’s best to find a professional florist with a portfolio and references who specializes in these types of orders and can help you work through the process of selecting, ordering, and pick-up or delivery.
When looking for flowers in San Francisco, you’ll find you have plenty of options. Friendly street vendors will happily offer you a single long stemmed rose to bring home to your significant other, while San Francisco’s multitude of professional florists can assist you in ordering table displays, corsages, and bouquets for weddings and proms. Flower markets that cut out the middle man and allow you to select and arrange your own flowers or purchase prearranged designs at a discount. These are especially helpful when you need to purchase large quantities of flowers for large events or distribution. There is even an assortment of online vendors that are happy to deliver to San Francisco if you don’t live in the area.
Wholesale flower markets are an exciting place to shop for flowers in San Francisco, whether you’re a local or a visitor. Just taking the time to peruse the various vendors and admire their bountiful blooms and fresh arrangements can be a peaceful way to spend a few hours. The vendors are typically skilled in helping you select a perfect assortment of colors and styles to suit your needs and tastes and are able to provide you with suggestions and tricks for caring for and prolonging the life of each plant. This includes using a clean vase and purified or bottled water when storing your flowers. Also, you’ll want to be sure to trim any excess leaves or buds that might be underwater as these will wilt and create bacteria. If the vendor or florist did not already do so, you should also cut about 1 inch off the base of the stem at an angle as this will allow the flowers to soak up water better.
Because the flowers you find at many markets are sold wholesale, the price is significantly reduced, especially when buying in bulk, and the flowers are fresher and will tend to have a longer shelf life than when purchased at a retail florist. However, when purchasing wholesale, it is likely that the burden of arranging of the flowers will be passed on to you so if you’re not skilled in floral design and are looking for something professional, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
Sending Flowers in San Francisco
There are a few different options for flowers in San Francisco. If you’re not in the city and looking to send flowers to a local resident, the options include going with a national flower brand or to find a local florist in the neighborhood of the recipient. There are a few things to think about when making this decision
Local florists provide that special touch when both preparing and delivering your bouquet or arrangement. They typically have been in the area for a long time and know the local trends and feelings of the neighborhood, and can help you make the best choice of flowers. Additionally, it’s always great to support the small time mom and pop flower shop when you can.
National chains provide the ease of ordering and delivery that many people on the go desire. Rather than having to call up a local florist and discuss flowers on the phone, they can log online and preview the different flower arrangements offered, select one and pay without ever having to speak to a person.
One note is that many times large chains have relationships with local florists to fulfill orders, so if you prefer the ease of ordering online, but still want to support the local florist, you do have that option.
Finally, if you’re a local San Franciscan, there is a third flower option, which is one of the many street vendors typically found in the Financial District or Union Square. They offer a wide variety of freshly cut flowers at decent prices, which is perfect for a last minute flower purchase on the way home from work or to a date.
Viewing Flowers in San Francisco
If you’d prefer to view some of the amazing arrangements of planted flowers in San Francisco, then the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is going to be your best bet. The Conservatory of Flowers is a botanical greenhouse which has been around for over a hundred years and houses over 1,700 types of plants, including the largest public collection of orchids in the world. The flowers and plants are amazing, and the building itself is an historical monument, so definitely worth checking out.
Other parks in San Francisco have breathtaking flowers as well, including the Presidio, Fort Mason and Dolores Park, which are all worth checking out.
Flowers are one of the many things that make San Francisco so special. Whether you’re looking to give them to someone for a special occasion or just want to view some beautiful specimens on a lazy weekend afternoon, San Francisco has a great option for you. Just remember to take time and enjoy the experience of shopping around for the perfect flowers and, of course, to stop and smell the roses!
