Tours

General information for all tours:

  • Space for all tours is limited.  To secure your spot, please contact:  education@grpg.org or (408) 298-7657
  • Custom lunch hour tours are available,  contact: education@grpg.org
  • All tours will be held regardless of weather only heavy rain will cancel.
  • Please bring a water bottle, sun protection, and wear layered clothing and good walking shoes.
  • Parking:
    • at the Garden Center, north of Taylor and Spring
    • Seymour Street lot near Heritage Rose Garden;
    • free parking around the Visitor’s Center. 

 

Walk & Talk with Us! 
9:30am – 2:30 pm
$20 for members/ $30 non-members
Three-mile walk
Meet at the Garden Center, 715 Spring Street
From roses to recreation to public art, we have a lot to offer.  Come find out for yourself as we stretch our legs and walk the park’s length.  At the Garden Center we will talk about the history of this 256 acre park, the old Columbus Park neighborhood and some new additions. From there, we will meander through the Courtyard Gardens, into the Heritage Rose Garden and past the Historic Orchard to the new Visitor & Education Center for a cup of coffee and an informational talk on the Park’s flood project.  From the Center we will walk along the trail to Confluence East and lunch at Lowry’s Irish Coffee House, located in the River Street Historic District.  Finally, we will pad our way to Discovery Meadow, where we will catch VTA Light Rail, circling back to the Garden Center. This is the most comprehensive walking tour along the Guadalupe.

 

Kid’s (and Parent’s) Walk in the Park
9:00 – 11:00am
$10 for members/$15 non members (per child)
Ages 5-10; siblings in strollers are welcome. 
Meet at Visitor’s Center, 438 Coleman Avenue
Having fun and learning is as easy as a walk in the park!  Join the Friends of GRPG for a morning stroll along the Park’s trails with stories, science, and fresh air. We’ll look for animal habitats, birds and talk about the art. Engage all your senses!  The walk will culminate at Arena Green for a Carousel spin and time climbing on the play structures.  

Parent participation is required; all children must be accompanied by a parent.

 

Art Along the River:  A Walking Tour
10:00am – 12:00pm
$10 for members/$15 non members
This tour is geared towards adults
One-mile walk each way
Meet at Discovery Meadow
Have you ever driving by the memorial at Park Avenue and been curious about the white flags?  Or wondered about the tribute to the Olympic Skaters at Arena Green?  Join Friends of GRPG for a stroll along the Guadalupe River as we discover some of the public art not often seen by busy San Jose commuters.  This interpretive walk will begin at Discovery Meadow and will include visits to the Veteran’s Memorial of San Jose, Five SkatersArt Piece, Weavers’ Gifts a tribute to the Muwekma Ohlone people past depictions of wildlife and art that reflects the many cultures that have contributed to the history of our community.  This tour will end at the River Street Historical District and Lowry’s Irish Coffee House.

 

Ghosts of the Guadalupe
10:00am – 12:00pm (Lunch not provided)
$10 for members/$15 non members
This tour is geared towards adults
Meet at Discovery Meadow
Join Friends of GRPG for a unique historical tour of the Guadalupe River and the people and cultures that have occupied its proximity.  Journey back in time as we read excerpts from the diaries, newspaper clippings and letters depicting life long before airplanes and paved roads decorated the sky and land along the river.  Discover the story of the Ohlone Indians, the Spanish, Chinese, Italian and other peoples who have made lives for themselves in the Santa Clara Valley.  We’ll visit historical points along the river, ending at the River Street Historical District and Lowry’s Irish Coffee House

 

Rose Garden and Historic Orchard Tour
10:00am – 12:00pm (Lunch not provided)
$10 for members/$15 non members
This tour is geared towards adults
Meet at Seymour Street parking lot
Ever wonder why roses grow so well here, or what the difference is between a tea rose and a hybrid?  Walk through the Heritage Rose Garden and get an education about this lovely flower, with a walk through rose history. Begin with the old garden roses and enjoy the Gallicas, Albas, Damasks etc…. continue clockwise through the Portland’s, Bourbons and Hybrid Perpetuals. Proceed through the exotic Chinas and Teas and stop at some of the older Hybrid Teas and Floribundas ending with the ever blooming modern roses. This is the largest collection of rose varieties in the United States. It was planted and maintained by volunteers.  Then we walk to the historic orchard next door where you can see a window on the Valley of Heart’s Delight, before it became Silicon Valley.  Come back and visit the garden often – it will be a new experience each time!