The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a great place to bring the family to learn about plants and nature. There are several interesting trails to follow which are suitable for the whole family and will introduce children to California’s diverse climatic regions and habitats. You can visit cool redwood forests and sandy deserts within a short distance of each other and aspirant gardeners can be inspired by the Water Wise Home Garden exhibit, which will show you which plants will thrive in your California garden. You can explore at your own pace or join one of the free docent-led tours which are offered on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Tired and hungry little explorers can enjoy a treat at the Garden Pantry.

Located in Mission Canyon, with sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands,the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78 acre botanical garden that displays California native plants in natural settings, encompassing a range of cultivated displays as well as stands of natural coast live oak and riparian woodlands. Containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants, it is home to approximately 9.2 km of hiking trails within the garden in addition to some stunning landscapes. There are several other really interesting areas to explore within the garden’s premises – such as the historic Mission Dam and aqueduct built in 1807,that supplies water to the Santa Barbara Mission, an authentic Japanese Teahouse and Tea Garden, and the breath-taking views along the Porter Trail. One can experience, at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the quiet shade of the Redwood grove on a hot summer’s day or the full blast of the Meadow wildflowers in full bloom in spring. The establishment was founded in 1926 and designed by noted landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, becoming a Santa Barbara County Landmark in 1983. Considered to be a model botanic garden, it fosters conservation of California’s native plants through research and education.

If you’re the type of person who finds peace in nature, the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden should be on your itinerary. This garden, which focuses on California native plants, is unlike any we’ve been to before. Even the Redwood Section, where redwood trees were planted beginning in 1930, looks as though the trees are organically growing there. Throughout the mile-long walkway, there are plenty of spots for visitors to sit and reflect.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a place of beauty and serenity, of education, research and conservation, of history and stewardship. We welcome you to visit and enjoy our unique native California plants exhibits in beautifully designed landscapes. With beautiful vistas to the Santa Ynez mountains and to the Channel Islands, tranquil trails through the redwoods and along Mission Creek, a wide variety of educational opportunities, and a remarkable historic landmark status, the Garden is a wonderful place to spend the day. Admission is free for the following: Children under 2 Active military personnel in uniform Garden members with valid membership card Dogs on leash!

For a tranquil city break, visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which displays a thousand different native California plants over 31 hectares, through which guests can stroll some eight kilometers of trails with mountain views. There are both wetlands and desert landscapes as well as a Japanese tea garden on the grounds. A city public gardens partnership promotes an entire network of green spaces, including the National Historic Landmark Casa del Herrero, an outstanding example of Spanish colonial revival architecture, built in 1929. By John Oseid, AFAR Local Expert