Every year, The Conservatory of Flowers hosts "The Butterfly Zone" exhibit from March 18 to November 2 in Golden Gate Park. This year, the Conservatory doubled the number of plants and butterflies to give you the unique experience of walking amongst the gentlest creatures on earth.

During the day, you can walk in and be surrounded by free flying butterflies. The most popular visitor spot is The Butterfly Bungalow because this is where everyone can see the different stages of the butterfly life cycle. You can see the amazing little chrysalides and, if you're lucky enough, you can also spot some butterflies hatching out of their cocoons!

2008 marks the first year that The Butterfly Zone will be hosting their Night Safaris. Every first and third Thursdays of the month between May 1 to October 2, from 8:00pm to 9:30pm, you can join in on the night hunt for nocturnal moths. For the regular admission price, you can borrow a flashlight and look around for varieties of moths and hopefully get a chance to spot the green Luna moth, which is the largest moth in North America (having a wing span of 5 inches) or see the large array of colorful butterflies resting in the rafters of the greenhouse ceiling! I'll be making a trip on the first Thursday night of September (9/4/08) and snapping some shots which will be included in this article to give you an idea for what's in store for your visit! If you can't make it this year, then you'll have to hang on for Spring 2009!

For those planning to make a visit here is some visitor information:

Conservatory of Flowers

John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, CA 94118

(415) 666-7001

• Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00am to 4:30pm (be out by 5:00pm).

• Closed on Holidays EXCEPT Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

• Wheelchair Accessible, Strollers NOT allowed.

ADMISSION:

• FREE - Children 4 and Under

• $1.50 - Children 5 to 11

• $3.00 - Youth 12-17, Students with ID, and Seniors 65+

• $5.00 - Adults