Southern California’s Botanical Gardens are a perfect choice if you’re looking for an affordable day trip. These stunning destinations offer free or low-cost admission, and most gardens include areas designed especially for kids. Spring is the most popular season to visit a SoCal Garden, but just about any time of the year is perfect for enjoying these beautiful outdoor places. Our list contains gardens from Santa Barbara to San Diego, so you can easily find one near your home.
Sherman Gardens Corona Del Mar
Sherman’s Gardens can be found on the Pacific Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar, California. Despite its small size, this garden boasts stunning displays of flowers and plants. The Herb Garden is more than just for show, as Café Jardin, the restaurant on site, incorporates fresh herbs into the chef’s “coastal garden” cuisine. 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, California.
Niguel Botanical Preserve
Like a hidden gem, a beautiful garden is behind a Laguna Niguel community park. Spread across 18 acres of hillside, just 4 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, this garden offers steep trails with plenty of rest stops. If you’re visiting with children, there’s a playground nearby. The Admission and parking are free, and the view from the park’s top is breathtaking.. 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, California.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Long Beach State has a charming garden where some famished Koi Fish reside. The park spans just over one acre, yet every nook and cranny is brimming with trees, plants, and flowers. This garden is unavailable to the general public on Saturdays due to the hosting of weddings and other events. Admission to Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is free. 1250 Bellflower Blvd., California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California.
Huntington Library & Gardens
Huntington Gardens showcases the best plants and fauna that Southern California offers. Garden areas for visitors to roam include Japanese, Chinese, Desert, Tropical, Australian, Rose, Shakespeare, Conservatory, and Jungle Gardens. There’s even a unique Children’s Garden for the youngsters. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, California.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Seventy-eight acres to explore more than a thousand plant species thriving in various garden sections. Mission Creek runs through the canyon and includes a rock dam constructed to supply nearby Mission Santa Barbara water. The garden is in a valley with beautiful views of the towering mountains behind the coastline. 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, California.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Explore a 35-acre haven of garden trails boasting a spectacular array of flowering trees and plants from across the globe. The four-mile path is segmented into 24 unique gardens, each showcasing a different environment. Be amazed by one of the world’s most extensive and diverse plant collections as you wander through canyons and hillsides, observing various habitats. You can also unwind in the many secluded nooks dotted throughout the gardens. Find this tranquil oasis at 230 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, California.
Balboa Park Botanical Building
The Botanical Building, constructed for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition, houses over 2,000 plants, including orchids, ferns, trees, and flowers. The building is not just a home for these plants but also a sight to behold. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Lilly Pond, built for the exact exposition. Admission to the Botanical Building is free, but dogs are not permitted inside. However, they are welcome in the park surrounding the building.
Fullerton Arboretum
The nursery, situated on a sprawling 26-acre land at Cal State Fullerton Campus, has a noble objective of preserving the planet’s botanical treasures. Among its notable features are the native vegetation of southern California, a unique fruit grove, a massive 11,000 square foot organic vegetable garden, the Channel Islands garden, an extensive cycad collection, a conifer collection, a palm grove, community gardens, and a children’s playground. Fullerton Arboretum makes a great day trip destination for the whole family.
Japanese Gardens Van Nuys
If you like Star Trek, you will enjoy the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys. You may recognize the building in the above image as Starfleet Academy. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager, and Star Trek Deep Space Nine all included scenes shot at the gardens. The building, in real life, is a water reclamation plant. Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, California.
Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
33-acre garden located in Thousand Oaks, California. Admission and parking are free. The kid’s adventure garden is the most popular attraction and is open on Sundays from 11-3. The garden also features a nature trail through plants and flowers separated by geographical regions. Park benches and picnic tables.
South Coast Botanic Garden
Located in a former landfill, the South Coast Botanic Garden is a green oasis surrounded by urban sprawl. The 80-plus acre botanical garden and culture center features many different gardens, including a Mediterranean, Rose, Water-Wise, Garden of the Senses, Cactus, Children’s, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula, California.
Descanso Gardens
This 150-acre gem was developed as a year-round retreat for urban dwellers and highlighted nature’s beauty through an internationally renowned botanical collection and seasonal horticultural displays. For kids, the Enchanted Railroad is a lot of fun. It allows you to ride aboard a 1/8th replica of a diesel train that travels around a Descanso Gardens section. 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, California.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
One of the fascinating attractions at Rancho Santa Ana is the perennial plants indigenous to Baja and the southernmost part of California. With over 70,000 plant species native to California, this botanical garden is a must-visit destination. The park has informative signs that provide visitors with comprehensive details about the plants, birds, and butterflies that can be seen there. You can join a guided tour to gain more insights from experts. The garden is located at 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, California.
California State University Northridge Botanic Garden
A small garden spanning an acre is located at the heart of the Northridge campus. Though not extravagant, it is a peaceful haven for students seeking refuge from their classes. The garden was founded in 1959 and boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 plant species, predominantly native Californian plants. The park is exclusively open on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Alta Vista Gardens Vista CA
The garden has hundreds of unique and exciting plants and showcases sculptures and artworks throughout the grounds. Expect to find a new remarkable sculpture at each trail twist, often accompanied by a bench with a beautiful North San Diego County view. Admission is free; donations are always welcome. 1270 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, California.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
From sweeping lawns with peacocks that roam free to cactus gardens, hothouses filled with orchids, ponds with sunbathing turtles, and Asian gardens, this 127-acre historical site also serves as the summertime home of the California Philharmonic’s Concerts on the Green. 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, California.
Moorten Gardens Palm Springs
Visitors to Palm Springs can discover a hidden gem in the gardens, where they can leisurely walk and admire the impressive collection. This shaded area is ideal for wandering and relaxing, as it boasts over 3,000 desert plants arranged in specific habitats along a marked natural trail. 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, California.
Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden
If you’re in the area, check out the garden in Pollywog Park. Spanning less than an acre, it boasts an impressive assortment of California native and drought-resistant plants. While a trip here might only take up to 20 minutes, it’s worth stopping by before heading to Manhattan Beach Pier. Additionally, Pollywog Park has a lake and a spacious playground for children.
Wrigley Gardens Catalina Island
One of the island’s main attractions, the gardens feature a stunning monument to William Wrigley Jr. and a lush garden designed by his wife. The gardens showcase plants endemic to Southern California’s coast and islands, focusing primarily on Catalina Island plants. 1402 Avalon Canyon Rd, Avalon, Catalina Island, California.
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden
French artist Niki de Saint Phalle crafted this enchanting sculpture garden. Her inspiration came from her visions of the history of early California, myths, and the culture of Native American people, which is reflected in the magical artworks present in the garden.
Gardens at Casa Romantica
Casa Romantic is situated in San Clemente and boasts picturesque gardens, including the top bluff garden, native American garden, butterfly garden, herb garden, and cactus & succulent gardens. These gardens also offer a cozy small amphitheater terrace.
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The Garden is operated by the Gregor Medel Foundation, a non-profit organization.
We are pleased to see the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden on your important list of local gardens.
Please remove the above line. We no longer use this foundation name but are operated within the CVBotanic Garden.
Thank you.
Beverly Brune
Thanks for the info. The page has been updated.