East Bay Bonsai Society

Category: Clubs Also called: EBBS; East Bay Bonsai Society (Oakland, California); eastbaybonsai.org

What it is

The East Bay Bonsai Society (EBBS) is a member bonsai club based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1961, it says it is one of the most enduring bonsai organizations in the United States, with more than 120 members. It holds monthly general meetings with presentations by local and guest artists, publishes a monthly newsletter (The Tree Shrinker), keeps a lending library, and runs an annual auction, picnic, holiday party and a two-day November show. It is a founding member of the Golden State Bonsai Federation.

Official URL

Official club site: https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/

Meetings & events (2026 calendar): https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/meetings-and-events/
Membership and dues: https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/membership/
2026 club show schedule: https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/2026-club-show/
About us / history: https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/about-us/
Newsletter: https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/newsletter/

Last checked

2026-10-28.

Who it’s for

Bonsai growers at every level in Oakland and the East Bay who want a long-running monthly club with printed dues, a fixed venue, a dated 2026 calendar and a public annual show.

Why it’s listed

It is an active local club with its own website, a named venue, printed dues and dated upcoming events. Checked on 2026-10-28:

Meetings: 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday of each month at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 (September and October meetings move to the first Wednesday).
Upcoming (2026 calendar, “subject to change”): November 11 show-prep workshop (7:30 PM); November 14–15 annual show; November 22 Intro to Bonsai at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (instructor Addison Galambos); December 9 holiday party.
2026 show: free, Saturday November 14 (10 AM–5 PM) and Sunday November 15 (11 AM–4 PM) at the Lakeside Garden Center. Headliner Dave De Groot (bring-your-own-tree workshops and a Saturday seminar), beginner workshops both days where you go home with a potted juniper, and a sale of trees, pots and tools.
Dues: $30 per year per individual; $40 per household. Members joining October–December are covered through the following calendar year. Paper newsletter by mail is $10 extra.
Access: guests are invited to attend general meetings before deciding to join.

Location

Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, California 94610 (off Grand Ave. from I-580).

Notes

Related listing: the monthly free Introduction to Bonsai class at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (already on Bonsai Plaza under Learning) is taught by EBBS volunteers. This card is the club itself, which was not yet listed.
Finn flags: California is already well covered (BSSF, ABAS Sacramento, San Diego, Lake Merritt Learning); EBBS was previously held for that reason. Released today because its 2026 calendar, dues and November show are all current. The About page says meetings skip August and October, while the Meetings page says September and October move to the first Wednesday; prefer the Meetings page.
Listing image: the club’s own bonsai tree mark (cropped-bonsai.png, 512×512 PNG), saved as east-bay-bonsai-society-logo.png. The site has no text wordmark.
Not affiliated with Bonsai Plaza. No form, membership payment or contact was made.

FAQ

Q: When does the East Bay Bonsai Society meet? A: At 7:30 PM on the second Wednesday of each month (September and October meetings are on the first Wednesday).

Q: Where are meetings held? A: At the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, California.

Q: What’s coming up? A: As posted on 2026-10-28: a November 11 show-prep workshop, the free annual show November 14–15, 2026, a November 22 Intro to Bonsai class at Lake Merritt, and a December 9 holiday party.

Q: How much are dues? A: $30 per year per individual or $40 per household.

Q: Do I need to be a member to attend? A: No. The membership page encourages new guests to attend meetings first and then decide whether to join.