Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt — Introduction to Bonsai Class

Category: Learning Also called: BGLM Introduction to Bonsai; EBBS Introduction to Bonsai class; GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt classes Last checked: 2026-10-21

What it is

The Introduction to Bonsai class is a monthly beginner class at the GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) in Oakland, California. The class page says BGLM “has partnered with the East Bay Bonsai Society (EBBS) to help interested students get started in the study of bonsai,” with “highly trained EBBS members” teaching “on the fourth Sunday of each month (except January and December).”

Who it’s for

Bay Area beginners who want a hands-on start from experienced local growers, followed by a path into a club (EBBS) for continued learning.

Why it’s listed

It is a standing, recurring class run by a public bonsai garden and a local society, not a single-date event. Checked on 2026-10-21:

Schedule: fourth Sunday of each month except January and December, in the BGLM workshop. On that schedule the next classes fall on Sunday, October 25 and Sunday, November 22, 2026. These dates are worked out from the rule; there is no December class.
Teachers: volunteer EBBS members.
Sign-up: through the form on the class page. Nothing was submitted for this listing.
After the class: students are invited to EBBS meetings at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., held on the second Wednesday monthly at 7:30 PM (first Wednesday in September and October), and to EBBS member workshops.
The garden: free admission, about 150 bonsai and suiseki. Open Tue–Fri 11 AM–2:30 PM, Sat 10 AM–3:30 PM and Sun 12–3:30 PM; closed Mondays. Weather line (510) 763-8409.

Official URL

Official class page: https://bonsailakemerritt.com/introduction-to-bonsai-by-ebbs/

Garden home (hours, address): https://bonsailakemerritt.com/
Events page: https://gsbf-lakemerritt.org/?page_id=10

Location

GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, 650 Bellevue Ave., Gate 4, Lakeside Park, Lake Merritt, Oakland, California 94610.

Notes

California is not new (San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego and Descanso Gardens are listed), but this is the first Oakland / East Bay listing. TX, WI, PA, CO, NE, AR, FL, CT and MI were avoided.
Price and class time are not on the class page. Third-party summaries call it free, 1–3 PM, but that isn’t confirmed first-party, so ask when you sign up.
Listing image: the garden’s own logo (logo.png, white on transparent), placed on dark green at 426×223 and saved as bonsai-garden-at-lake-merritt-introduction-to-bonsai-logo.png.
Not affiliated with Bonsai Plaza.

FAQ

Q: How often is the Introduction to Bonsai class held?
A: Monthly, on the fourth Sunday, except in January and December.

Q: Who teaches it?
A: Volunteer members of the East Bay Bonsai Society.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Fill in the form on the official class page.

Q: Where is it?
A: In the workshop at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, 650 Bellevue Ave., Gate 4, Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94610.

Q: What comes after the class?
A: You’re invited to East Bay Bonsai Society meetings and workshops to keep learning.