Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Activity Overview

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78-acre botanic garden that is home to over 1,000 plant species, focusing on plants native to California. The garden features over 5 miles of hiking trails which lead to various garden displays and features, including the Mission Dam and Aqueduct, meadows, ponds, and an authentic Japanese tea house located in the serene tea garden. If you want to escape your hectic city life and explore nature's wonders with your family, head to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for a relaxing day surrounded by nature.

Things to Do

• Hike the Porter Trail, where you can enjoy the sight of wildflowers in the spring as well as wonderful views of the ocean and nearby islands from the ridge.
• Head to the heart of the garden to visit the meadow, where you can see poppies, wildflowers, a pond that's home to red-slider turtles, gigantic oak trees, and a display of drought-tolerant plants that are essential in many California gardens.
• Explore the Discovery Garden in the arroyo section, which is designed to teach children about biodiversity and ecosystems through nature walks, tours, and informative signs.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Insider Tips

• Check out the garden's list of events to learn about upcoming classes, tours, lectures, bird walks, workshops, and other family-friendly activities that you can attend.
• Visit the ShinKanAn Teahouse and Garden on the second Saturday of the month between noon and 2:00 p.m., when you can learn all about traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.
• Feel free to bring your dog along to visit the gardens - just make sure to be respectful and keep them on their leash at all times.