Sharing today some gorgeous Gardens at Heather Farm photos – this beautiful location gives so much in the way of background variety!
When my client reached out for senior portraits, she was looking for a beautiful, floral setting. Gardens at the Heather farm photos definitely fit the bill! Come check out her stunning portraits!
While there are a variety of beautiful flowers in this garden, the two major draws for Gardens at Heather Farm photos are the beautiful rose garden, and the native plant garden. There is a children’s garden, and a fun waterfall and cactus garden, but I did not find the light to be as pretty in those locations.
What are the best times to visit Heather Farm gardens for photography?
I highly recommend May into June for photos at the Gardens at Heather Farms. This is when the roses start to bloom and are fresh and colorful! If time your photoshoot into early June you can get the best of both worlds with blooming roses and jacaranda trees!
The roses were absolutely stunning in these Gardens at Heather Farms photos – just the way my client was hoping!
Are there photo permit fees for The Gardens at Heather Farms?
Yes. There’s a $75 photo permit fee; since they host weddings and events on the weekends, you can only get photo permits for during the week.
The Gardens at Heather Farm | Walnut Creek
In the 1960s and early 1970s, this location was called Heather Farm Park. Ruth and Philip Bancroft donated this land to the park district of Walnut Creek and it became the site of the Heather Farm Garden Center Association, the garden club of Walnut Creek. Of note, just down the road from the Gardens at Heather Farms is the Ruth Bancroft Garden, which is a stunning location for a photoshoot, particularly if you’re a cacti lover. I love to combine client photoshoots with one stop at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, and one stop for Gardens at Heather Farm photos.
Directions to the Gardens at Heather Farm.
The Gardens at Heather Farms are a little bit up in the hills at 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek, CA.
If you’re coming from the south, you’ll take highway 680 N to exit 46B for Ygnacio Valley Blvd. Then you’ll turn left onto Marchbanks Drive.
If you’re coming from the north, you’ll take highway 680 S to exit 49 for Monument Blvd in Pleasant Hill. Then, a right on Buskirk, a left on Hookston, and right on Bancroft, a right on Ygnacio Valley Rd, and finally a right onto Marchbanks Drive.
While the garden staff is absolutely stringent on the fact you must remain on the path, benches allow for more variety in posing.
Are there any admission fees for Heather Farm gardens?
No. But, the garden is gated and is only open during daylight hours.
Are there bathrooms at The Gardens at Heather Farms?
Not any that are super close by – they are at least a 10 minute walk away. So it’s not a great option to rely on if you are wanting to change outfits for your photoshoot. Instead, if you have an outfit change during your Gardens at Heather Farms photos I can bring my pop-up changing tent.
Client Thoughts
Here’s what my client’s mom had to say about her Gardens at Heather Farm photos experience!
“Proud Mama moment. She looks so beautiful and grown up. Thank you!! So excited.”
Kristen Hazelton is a multi award-winning Chicago, IL and San Francisco Bay Area high school senior, university graduate, and family photographer. She also photographs in San Diego, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Monterey, CA, and Seattle, WA. She is a firm believer in human rights and welcomes LGBTQ+ and nonbinary clients. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
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