SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Cherry blossoms are in peak bloom at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Each spring, the park's Japanese Tea Garden transforms with delicate shades of pink and white. Following an intense heat wave this week, a Golden Gate Park spokesperson told KRON4 on Friday that the flow ers are "looking absolutely stunning." Friday marks the first day of astronomical spring, and the annual bloom marks "a fleeting and beautiful welcome to the season of renewal," the park spokesperson said San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden is home to 60 cherry trees, primarily Yoshino cherries, along with Kwanzan cherries. Yoshino cherries bloom first, creating a soft canopy of pale pink-tinged white flowers. They are followed by Kwanzan cherries, which bloom with a bright pink double flower. Cherry blossoms bloom on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The tiny, delicate flowers have a short time window. "Their brief flowering period reflects the Japanese concept of mono no aware, recognizing the poignancy and impermanence of life. Cherry blossoms -- known as sakura -- hold deep cultural meaning in Japan and around the world. For more than a thousand years, people have gathered for hanami, or 'watching blossoms,' to appreciate both the beauty and the fleeting nature of the blooms," the park spokesperson wrote. Timing for blooms depend on weather conditions in San Francisco. In recent years, blossoms usually flower from mid-March into April. Where to see the California wildflower superblooms For sakura season, reservations are required to visit Japanese Tea Garden to prevent over-crowding. Timed tickets are complimentary for San Francisco residents, veterans, and Museums for All participants. Once inside, guests may stay as long as they wish until closing at 6 p.m. For the quietest experience, guests are encouraged to visit on Tuesday or Thursday mornings when the garden opens at 9 a.m. ...read more read less