Here in Southern California, we’re lucky to have a variety of beautiful parks and gardens that are just waiting to be explored at any time. When you feel like escaping the mundane and losing yourself in nature’s beauty, a visit to one of them is just what you need. You’ve probably heard or visited popular spots like the Descanso Gardens or Los Angeles County Arboretum, but there’s another garden that definitely deserves to be on your radar. Located in Santa Barbara, a visit to this fascinating destination will make you feel like you’ve fallen into a fairytale!
Tucked away in beautiful Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden consists of 78 acres of sprawling natural beauty. With a focus on displaying California's native plants, it's well worth a trip when you feel like immersing yourself in an incredible setting.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was founded in 1926 and originally boasted just 13 acres. Today, it's considered a "model botanic garden," and it acts as a living museum that's dedicated to the research, education, and conservation of the state's native plant life.
The garden is organized by sections, with each section boasting its own breathtaking display of beauty. In all, there are over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants thriving in the garden. As you explore the garden, be sure to pay attention to the signage that tells you all about the different flora.
Take your time exploring the 5.5-miles of trails in the garden - there's something to see around every corner! Some of the garden's most iconic features include the historic Mission Dam and aqueduct built in 1807 and the authentic Japanese Teahouse and Tea Garden.
One of the garden's most unique sections is the Redwood grove. It's not very often you stumble across a towering grove of coast redwoods in Southern California, but here they are in all their glory! Sustained by the waters of Mission Creek, the oldest trees in the grove date back to 1926.
The Porter Trail is another fascinating area in the garden. Much of this area was destroyed in the Jesusita Fire in 2009, including the collection of California lilacs and cypress. However, today it proves an excellent example of the vegetation's amazing ability to regenerate and become something new.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is open to guests daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and $8 for youth. Learn more about this fantastic garden and what it has to offer here.
Have you been to this fascinating botanic garden in Southern California? This hidden gem is definitely a treasure. Share your thoughts, photos, and experiences with us in the comments below!
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