American Public Gardens Association Annual Conference 2026: Inspiring Innovation
Jun 8, 2026 – Jun 12, 2026 // Hilton San Francisco Union Square
San Francisco, a city known for its innovation and captivating landscapes, provides the backdrop for our 2026 annual conference, "Inspiring Innovation." Co-hosted by Filoli, dedicated to connecting rich history with a vibrant future through beauty, nature and shared stories, and the Gardens at Golden Gate Park, a hub for connecting people to plants, the planet, and each other, this event presents an opportunity for professional development across operations.
This is your invitation to cultivate new perspectives and sow innovation in all facets of your public garden. From the insights offered by Bay Area gardens to the initiatives and research occurring across the city, you'll be inspired by the ingenuity that thrives in this city, this region, and within our shared commitment. Join us to learn from experts across the field of public gardens, exploring solutions and departing feeling energized and equipped to implement transformative ideas across your institution. San Francisco awaits, ready to spark your creativity and ignite your passion.
Things to Do
Few cities offer the variety of world-class experiences that are possible in San Francisco. Get inspired and start getting excited about your next visit to the City by the Bay.
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Eat & Drink
You may leave your heart in San Francisco, but you most certainly won’t leave with an empty stomach.
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Local SF
San Francisco has many iconic sights, but it's worth getting a local perspective. See it as the locals do to help plan your next trip.
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Attraction Passes
Discounts, savings, and more on passes to your favorite San Francisco attractions.
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Explore San Francisco's
Neighborhoods
San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor and charm. Choose a neighborhood on the map to learn more.
Union Square
When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping in Union Square. Indeed, in a town with abundant citywide shopping, Union Square is the most renowned source of retail therapy.
Fisherman's Wharf
If there's one part of town that visitors — both first-timers and many-timers — equate with San Francisco, it's Fisherman's Wharf.
SoMa / Yerba Buena
In the 1970s, industry moved out and artists moved in. Now, SoMa has so much to experience, including the country's most beautiful ballpark.
North Beach
Old Italy, the New Deal, memories of Kerouac and the Beats and echoes of the waterfront Bohemianism meet of-the-moment eateries in North Beach.
Nob Hill
Those little cable cars that climb halfway to the stars in Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco’’ are climbing Nob Hill, the historic and iconic neighborhood of San Francisco.
Embarcadero / Financial District
From captains of the high seas to captains of industry, the Embarcadero has often been where people first began their San Francisco journey.
Civic Center / Hayes Valley
This central city district encompasses everything from stately concert halls and museums to animated restaurants and wide-open public plazas just west of Downtown.
Marina / Pacific Heights
The Marina's boutiques and restaurants attract a hip, younger crowd, while the views and stately homes of Pacific Heights take your breath away.
Japantown
San Francisco’s Japantown is the oldest in the U.S. From its famous Peace Pagoda to a variety of great eats, learn about this vibrant historic neighborhood.
Fillmore
A neighborhood full of music history, fine dining, and upscale shopping, The Fillmore packs more into a few city blocks than you can believe.
Mid-Market
A combination of enterprise zones, high tech, arts groups, retail, and restaurants, Mid-Market is witnessing a boom.
Chinatown
With its pagoda-style architecture, ornate lamp posts, exotic menus and other distinctive elements, a stop here can feel more like a trip abroad than a neighborhood stroll.
Bayview
Bayview is the sunniest neighborhood in San Francisco, home to 35,000 residents, nesting ospreys and some of the most urban, diverse sights and bites in the city.
Mission District / Dogpatch
The Mission District is one of San Francisco’s most of-the-moment neighborhoods, packed with trend-setting boutiques, restaurants, and more.
Castro / Noe Valley
Regardless of your sexual orientation, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to the world-famous Castro District, one of the country's first gay Neighborhoods.
Haight-Ashbury
Start your Summer of Love experience on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets, where 1960s flower power blossomed.
Golden Gate Park / Sunset
Within Golden Gate Park, you'll find lakes, gardens, museums, golf courses and a herd of bison. The Sunset offers a zoo, views of the Pacific Ocean and tasty eats.
Richmond / Presidio
The southern anchor of the Golden Gate Bridge, the verdant, scenic Presidio, artfully reclaimed Crissy Field, and the Civil War-era Fort Point are just a few of the attractions in the northwest corner of town.
Treasure Island
This gem of an island offers a bustling urban winery scene, terrific music festivals, and photo ops of San Francisco's downtown skyline.