For many Southern California residents there is a natural oasis just a short drive away — the region’s many botanical gardens offer an escape from the daily grind of the urban jungle with a stroll through their grounds.
And in most cases, it’ll cost less than a meal to treat yourself to an afternoon taking in Mother Nature’s beauty — and the stress release of being out in the open, stretching your legs, is certainly cheaper than a spa day.
These large gardens bring some of the most interesting and beautiful plant life from around the world to Southern California, but they also showcase the natural vegetation that makes our region special. Most also hold classes and events helping residents with their own gardens, teaching about conservation and connecting people with nature.
Here are seven of the botanical gardens offering a bit of tranquility in busy SoCal:
Walking through the oak grove at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Summer roses in bloom at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An orange Day-lily opens in the sun at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poppies in bloom at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Serine shade in the Japanese Gardens in Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poppies in bloom at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, CA, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors crowd in to see the tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors crowd in to see the tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors crowd in to see the tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Flowers at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors crowd in to see the tulips at the Descanso Gardens on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tulips are now at thier peak at the gardens. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens is located in La Cañada Flintridge and sits on 150 acres of both cultivated and natural landscape surrounded by local mountains. Many paths and trails wander through the woodlands and gardens of colorful native flowers. There is a forest of ancient trees, a collection of rare and unique breeds of camellias and the gardens’ own hybrid breed of drought-tolerant lilacs.
Blooming this month are many varieties in its 5-acre rose garden and pansies, daisies and others in its promenade collection.
Address: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Admission: General admission is $15; there are a variety of discounts for seniors and students and children ages 5 to 12 are $5. Advance tickets are required and must be reserved online.
Information: descansogardens.org
Cherry blossoms in the Chinese garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors stroll among cactus in the desert garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Wisteria fills the air with fragrance in the Japanese garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors stroll past Lily’s at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Perfect tea weather in the tea house at the Japanese garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Poppies bloom near the entrance to the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A view of the bridge in the Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Azalea’s cling to a Japanese style since in the Japanese garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A couple through the Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Visitors stroll through flowers in the Japanese garden at the Huntington Library on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Huntington
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens encompasses about 130 acres in San Marino, with 16 themed gardens and more than 83,000 living plants. It is a laboratory for botanical conservation and research that includes rare and endangered species. The art museum features British, European, American and Asian art and the library features 12 million items from the 11th to the 21st century.
Many plants in the gardens bloom this time of year, including among its extensive collection of cactus. And several will still be offering color into next month as well. There are gardens themed around the plants of Australia, Japan and China, as well as herbs, deserts, jungles, Shakespeare and many more.
Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays, closed Tuesdays; reservations are required Fridays-Sundays, holidays and peak seasons. There are daily capacity limits. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekdays as well, there are daily capacity limits.
Admission: General admission is $25, $29 on Fridays and weekends; there are various discounts for youth, seniors, military and more
Information: huntington.org
A bee goes to work on flowers at the LA Arboretum on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Perfect weather for an afternoon nap a the LA Arboretum on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Flowers brighten the path for visitors at the LA Arboretum on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A quiet pond nestled in the wooded path area at the LA Arboretum on Wednesday, March 278, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, in the city of Arcadia, features 127 acres that were once the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita. Paths wander through the natural landscape that includes wildlife, historic buildings and plants and trees from around the world.
Take a break on the shore of Baldwin Lake and watch the wildlife, wander collections of herbs, magnolia, roses, plumeria and more. Themed gardens explore the vegetation of Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean and look at aquatic gardening, water conservation gardens and seasonal gardening.
Address: 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Admission: General admission is $15; there are discounts for students and seniors and children ages 5 to 12 are $5. On the third Tuesday of the month, admission is free but advance reservations is required.
Information: arboretum.org
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
One of the many Southern California botanical gardens to visit is The South Coast Botanic Garden an 87 acres treat for garden lovers in Palos Verdes Estates on Thursday, April 4, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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South Coast Botanic Garden
The South Coast Botanic Garden fills 87 acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It has more than 2,500 different species of plants from around the world including Australia, the Mediterranean and southern Africa.
Now open is SOAR, an exhibit featuring tropical butterflies. There is also Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature with pieces placed throughout the garden.
Address: 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission: General admission is $15; there are discounts for students and seniors and children ages 5 to 12 are $5. Advance purchase is required for weekends.
Information: southcoastbotanicgarden.org
A group walk a trail at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.(UCR/Stan Lim)
Master’s student Matthew Barclay, 24, from the School of Business, takes a walk through the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (UCR/Stan Lim)
Flowers from aloe vera plants blooms in the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (UCR/Stan Lim)
A women and child walk a path located in the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.(UCR/Stan Lim)
Chloe Schneider, 2, of Riverside and her grandmother Winona Schneider, visiting from Nebraska, walk past California Poppies blooming in the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (UCR/Stan Lim)
People walk along a trail at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (UCR/Stan Lim)
A group look for turtles in Turtle Pond, located in the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (UCR/Stan Lim)
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UC RiversideBotanic Gardens
The UC Riverside Botanic Gardens feature 40 acres to explore. The living plant museum contains more than 3,500 plant species and thousands of specimens from around the world. The gardens are utilized for teaching, research, demonstration purposes, and for the enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
Many varieties in its desert and rose gardens bloom this time of year and a native garden features the plants important to the region.
Address: 1 Botanic Gardens Drive, Riverside
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month
Admission: Suggested donation of $5 per adult.
Information: gardens.ucr.edu
A bumblebee looks to extract nectar from flowers on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A bench sits peacefully along the pathway of the California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Poppy flowers bloom on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A butterfly and a bee meet on a Ceanothus “Dark Star” shrub on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A trail walker go through at the California Botanic Garden on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Flowers bloom on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Purple flowers bloom on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A woman captures photos of the Channel Island Poppies along the pathway of the California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Joshua Trees span along the California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
A butterfly sits on a Ceanothus “Dark Star” shrub on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the California Botanic Garden in Claremont. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
The Cano family, from left, Brandon, 12, Lenna, George, Riley, 4, and Austin, 12, stroll through the California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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California Botanic Garden
The California Botanic Garden is located on 86 acres in Claremont. The large botanic garden has curated collections of more than 22,000 California native plants, some of which are rare or endangered and promotes botany, conservation and horticulture of California’s native flora.
The garden, which also has an active research department, has a herbarium, seed bank and several special collections.
Address: 1500 N. College Avenue, Claremont
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Mondays from June through August; check online for seasonal hours the rest of the year
Admission: General admission is $10; seniors and students $6; and children 4 and older $4
Information: calbg.org
Visitors make their way through a field of blooms as they walk along a path at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An Allen’s hummingbird hovers at a bloom at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors make their way along a path beneath a sprawling tree at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A western fence lizard sits on a plant in the sun at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A visitor lays on a bench in the warm afternoon sun as she takes a break at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
California poppies bloom at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton. (Courtesy of CSUF News Media Services)
Visitors walk through a bamboo forest at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton walk past a Brontosaurus topiary on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors walk along a path near the entrance of the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman sits on a bench next to the pond on a spring afternoon at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A large bloom at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An Allen’s hummingbird hovers over a flower at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Red-eared sliders rest at the edge of a pond at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A flower glows in the sunlight at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A honey bee hangs on a bloom at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A western bluebird sits on a sign at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton
The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton consists of 26 acres on the university campus in Fullerton. Situated on what was once an orange grove, it now is home to a collection of many important plants, including rare, threatened, and endangered species and plants from around the world. Paths wander through the grounds past ponds and a nationally recognized citrus collection.
The botanical gardens feature Mediterranean, desert, woodland and cultivated plant collections. There is a rose garden, children’s garden, seasonal garden and more.
Address:1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Admission:$5 suggested donation per person; parking is $4 an hour or $10 a day
Information: fullertonarboretum.org
