GOLDEN STATE BONSAI FEDERATION
A non-profit 501(c) (3) educational organization
Our Mission
GSBF, Inc. is a non-profit
501(c) (3) educational organization comprised of member and affiliate clubs in California and adjoining states. We promote the art of bonsai. 

This website connects you
to regional bonsai clubs,
GSBF collections, insurance information, educational events,
resources, and supplies.
If you can't find what you need, reach out to us at:
gsbonsaifed@gmail.com
Services and Benefits: Our primary mission is bonsai education.
We maintain three bonsai collections throughout California that are open to the public.
These collections provide beautiful settings in which to appreciate bonsai.
• Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (Northern California)
• Clark Bonsai Collection (Central Valley)
• Huntington Botanical Gardens (Southern California)
Our trusted volunteers get hands-on experience with museum-quality trees, and teach the public about bonsai and the collection.
In addition to the annual Bonsai Rendezvous, GSBF is conducting quarterly online educational programs (Golden Zooms) by nationally-recognized bonsai professionals to current GSBF club membership.
GSBF offers member clubs the protection of
low-cost group insurance coverage without
the hassle of negotiating their own rates.
Bonsai Garden at
Lake Merritt
The BGLM is home to some of the finest bonsai in the U.S. Located within the Gardens at Lake Merritt in Oakland’s Lakeside Park, the BGLM opened its doors to the public on November 6,1999 and is the permanent home of some 177 bonsai and suiseki viewing stones, of which 80 trees can be seen at any one time on a rotating basis. This permanent collection assures that these precious trees and suiseki viewing stones by outstanding masters and collectors will be nurtured for the enjoyment of the public. As of December 2024, Suzanne Muller is the new BGLM Director and Gordon Deeg is the new curator.
Visit the website
Clark Bonsai Museum
​
The bonsai garden officially opened its door with a grand opening celebration on October 17th & 18th, 2015 at the Shinzen Friendship Garden in Woodward Park, Fresno, California. The bonsai collection is a partnership dedicated to the preservation and advancement of bonsai in the Central Valley. Discover a living art display with over 100 museum quality bonsai offering stunning rotating seasonal displays. Docent tours available. Visit the Shinzen Garden _ Experience a serene and beautiful North American Japanese Garden.​​
​​​
​
Huntington Botanical Gardens
In a joint effort to build a world class bonsai collection for the public in Southern California, the Golden
State Bonsai Federation and the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens established the GSBF Collection at the Huntington in 1993.
Today, the growing collection features bonsai masterpieces and viewing stones from noted artists throughout the region.
​
​​
​
