Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

9/10 Very nice trails full of specimens. Serene and peaceful place aside from ducks chasing geese. It was entertaining. A small creek serenades entry path to an open pond full of turtles basking. Lots of little hidden gems to appreciate and wish I could have stayed longer. Ocotillo blooms and size astounding. However, a plaque was both broken and inaccurate. Tree was in fact a Parkinsonia aculeata. Will take more pictures next visit.

This is one of the most amazing and local places I’ve been to and been soo satisfied. There’s a beautiful waterfall when you walk in. The parking is free on the weekends and there’s no admission. There’s a suggested donation of $5 and they sale vegetables and flowers grown on the property. There’s tons of paths to take, a plethora of tress and plants both native and indigenous to the area as well as several landmarks on the site with historical value and significance. Through what I call the bamboo maze, there’s a gorgeous body of water that’s home to families of turtles and a favorite relaxing spot for some of our aerial friends. If you’re in Fullerton in Orange County, please, pay a visit to the arboretum for Fullerton college and see for yourself.

Its a gorgeous garden with a wide variety of trails, all relatively easy. You have to pay for parking, unless you're a student but the Arboretum is worth it and well maintained. It's free to enter they just request a donation.

I wish I could take credit for finding this awesome gem while initially planning my cross-country road trip, but the truth is I only stumbled onto it after getting "stuck" in Fullerton due to needing some (unexpected) work on my car. But talk about your brightest and shiniest of silver-linings! I absolutely love the variety of this place, with the garden divided up into different "ecosystems," every single one of which was worth exploring in full! I spent a couple of hours here thoroughly enjoying what felt like jumping from "world to world," and would wholeheartedly recommend making time for a visit to anyone who is going to be anywhere near the area. It is easily on par with most of (and frankly better than many of) the much more expensive arboretums/gardens that can be found all over the country, and while I certainly won't claim that it's the ONLY hidden inexpensive gem out there, it's definitely one of them and well worth a visit from anyone who remotely enjoys these types of things. Easy 5, along with my thanks for a great afternoon diversion on any otherwise not so great (car trouble) day!

Located on Cal State Fullerton compass is this massive arboretum. Parking on school lot cost $4 an hour. Entrance fee is a suggested donation price of $5 per person. Lots of trees, plants, flowers. You could literally spend all day at this peaceful garden but it was raining so we never made it half way through. Will need to return another day when it’s sunny.

Great place to wander and explore all the different plant life. I liked that they had different sections for different types of plants. Everything was so beautiful.

Visited from pennsylvania, and I was hoping to see natural california foliage, but it seems I got more than that.Because a lot of the palm trees did not come from california. You mean it turned out, we went on a day that they were having some sort of event. My son didn't get to do anything for halloween.This year, but he got to trick or treat at each stop which was kind of cool. And I got a free succulent for stopping at each table. It is handicapped accessible. His wheelchair was capable of going on the trails. Just don't go on the bottom trail because a tree grows over it.

Beautiful afternoon! Well worth the asking donation of $5.00. Spent almost three hours enjoying the amazing grounds! Such huge trees! Staff was very helpful and friendly. Parking was cheap and easy. Highly recommend.

Located on Cal State Fullerton compass is this massive arboretum. Parking on school lot cost $4 an hour. Entrance fee is a suggested donation price of $5 per person. Lots of trees, plants, flowers. You could literally spend all day at this peaceful garden but it was raining so we never made it half way through. Will need to return another day when it's sunny.

Definitely something to see and do when visiting Fullerton if you want and outdoor experience and to be on the college campus. I think parking was $4 for 1 hour on a Saturday. The Arboretum is free but suggested $5 donation. Not really worth it in my opinion. But I am spoiled having been to much bigger, better, nice arboretum and botanical gardens. The whole thing can be walked through rapidly in about 30 minutes. It is not large. There are a few sections, and they have different flora. Maybe at other times of the year when more stuff is blooming it would be better to visit than early Nov. There was some kind of plant sale going on, so probably more crowded than normal, and it was not peaceful nor serene as others mentioned. It was ok, but I have seen better. Photos attached.

Fullerton, CA It's been quite a while since I visited this property and on a return last week I would have to say it's so much smaller than other gardens I have visited since. Parking is no longer complimentary which is a huge bummer, I believe it is $4 per hour. The garden entrance is under construction right now so the main entrance is not accessible which really takes away from the first look at garden. It was nice to be back but with the new parking charge this garden would not be my first choice to return to.

Nice Arboretum, surprisingly large and I love the multiple paths you can take get to different areas. You pay for parking via an app though when we went it seemed like a lot of people were not paying. Opened in 1976, its been a Fullerton staple for awhile, the day we went there was a large group of amateur photographers with their tripods snapping photos in different areas. This is a great place for nature photography. The Arboretum's many paths wind through four major areas: Cultivated, Woodlands, Mediterranean and Desert Collections. We just came back from Joshua Tree but still loved the desert collection the most. The kids enjoyed the large pond at the beginning, there is a large turtle and duck population that intermingle with each other. You may also find birds catching fish from out of the waters. Some of the trees are also covered in ants so be careful where you lean, the kids loved following the trail to see where they were going. Toward the middle volunteers were drying flowers, bundles of which they have near the entrance and you can take home for free.

This was my second time here and found new sights to enjoy! Parking was plentiful and's very close to the entrance. The parking is $4/hr and there is no entrance fee but a suggested donation. Normal bathrooms are found near the entrance. There is a cute kid's area with plenty of items to keep the kiddos busy. The one the kids in our group liked the best was the pipe organ. You press the pedals for the notes and there's easy sheet music to follow. We wandered around the cactus garden which was pretty impressive and had plenty of good photo opportunities. The flowers were not in bloom so we were not able to see the rose garden or smell the chocolate flowers. There were plenty of benches so you can stop and rest as frequently as you would like. Some areas are shaded so you can take a break from the sun on a hot day. I don't remember seeing any cafes or food places inside. There was a museum that was not open on the day we went. It's a nice place for a nice walk. I will definitely be back!

The Fullerton Arboretum is a botanical garden gem for us people in Orange County. The grounds are beautifully curated, wonderful selection of local flora and also plants and trees from other locations. The cost is FREE but they do have a DONATION box for those wanting to support the conservation of this beautiful botanical garden (on selected days people can also buy plants, tress and fruits from the for sale section) please reach out to them directly to find schedule of "for sale" dates and times. There is some fauna: birds, butterflies, rabbits, turtles, ducks, lots of cute lizards and if your LUCKY you may see an or a (jk on those ) LOL in all seriousness, if you haven't visited the Fullerton Arboretum please go check it out! I think you will enjoy it

We lived here for how long and never been here? How lol it's such a beautiful place to visit with family and kids. You have to pay for parking $4 which isn't bad. It was a bit warm today but I really wanted to visit here with my family to see the beautiful flowers and take some pictures. There's little bridges and benches everywhere to sit. It's pretty big so lots of walking, that was hard for me but it was worth it. There was so many trees that you could find shade which helped me a lot. My family and I walked through almost the whole thing and thank goodness the lady working there she was so sweet told us to go to the flower garden that there are so many flowers to see there and they have a little kid area where I met a squirrel friend lol. They have beautiful pond here too with lily pads and lots of fish and turtles it was so cute also had a family of geese walking by which was so cool. I didn't eat and the heat on top of that made me not feel so good so didn't get to see the museum lol. But it's ok we still had a really wonderful time seeing all the beautiful trees, flowers, the little pond and lots of gorgeous flowers and butterflies flying around. There is one area with bamboo trees and they were making such cool sounds swishing noises together we had to stop and listen to that for a bit. We loved our little walk here taking photos and enjoying the outdoors for a while. Next time we go, I want to see the museum, thank you for such a lovely experience here and for being so friendly. I saw a lot of my Yelp friends have been here too, If you haven't been here I recommend checking this place out its so cute and lovely, if you love flowers and a nice walk this is a great place to go. Have a beautiful day, be kind to everyone :) Aloha

Had a great time at the Arboretum as a peaceful, serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I love that there are different microclimate areas to walk through and when we were here there was a person at a booth with some interesting animal pelts and turtle shells with some facts about each animal. There is a children's garden here too which my daughter enjoyed thoroughly.

A OC GEM! Definitely need to be on your list to check out if you live in the area. Came on a Sunday afternoon despite the graduation crowd. Still had adequate parking and wasn't too busy. This place is beautiful. Love how each area takes you to a different oasis. Great door date strolls or a family hang out with lil ones

Need a quick recharge? Stop by the Fullerton Arboretum located at Cal State Fullerton for tranquil settings, a piece of nature, and a breath of fresh air. We visited on the weekend when parking is free. Entrance is also donation based and you can support the arboretum by purchasing fruit at the entrance, which, at the time of making this video, is $5 a bag. The trails are easy and flat. Perfect for small children to run around and for those times when you just need a little exercise! When we went, there were no crowds and it was very easy to navigate. If you would like to watch a video I made whole walking the grounds, here's a link: https://youtu.be/lVmxVMQt26I?si=FKLD4RKz0n1TyhhR Information may be found at https://arboretum.fullerton.edu. The site, https://arboretum.fullerton.edu/faq.aspx, currently states the following: Arboretum and Botanical Garden is not a park. It is more like a zoo or aquarium. It has many rare, threatened and endangered plants. It also features cultivated plants of historical significance, including a nationally recognized citrus collection. The arboretum nursery propagates many of these plants to make them available to institutions around the world and to the public. The arboretum does not have an admission fee and invites visitors to explore and learn about plants, conservation and research. Donations on site or online go toward daily operational costs. The state of California requires that all public universities charge for parking on campus, which includes the spaces in front of the arboretum. Parking to visit the arboretum currently costs $4 per hour Monday through Friday, which can be paid through the ParkMobile app. Parking is free on weekends and university holidays. The Visitor Information Center in Lot G, across from the Arboretum, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist guests with downloading and setting up the ParkMobile app on their smartphones. An alternative payment method may soon be available to guests without smartphones.

I went here for a Pokémon GO event. I had never been here before. I honestly had never even heard of it. I didn't know there was a wilderness smack dab in the middle of the desert that is California!! lol I am originally from Louisiana so I can appreciate wildlife to a certain extent. And that extent is places like the Arboretum. You can walk in, have fun, and walk out back to the suburbs once you're done. lol If you live in the Fullerton area, then it is a lovely place to go for a morning walk. If you're into photography, there are many places where you can practice or set up photo shoots. If you are just going to enjoy the greenery, the flowers and the trees then it is a place you'll be able to get lost in all day. There are ponds and streams and turtles hanging out. There are also lots of benches for you to sit down and take in the scenery. I saw many people bring beach towels and food and have a picnic. If you are into any of the things I mentioned, I would suggest you take a trip to the Arboretum. If you're considering whether or not you're into the things that I mentioned, I would still suggest making a trip to the Arboretum, especially if you were born and raised in California and have never really seen a lot of greenery. It is just an amazingly relaxing place to visit. And who doesn't have anxiety these days?!?! Just a note: I went on the weekend so parking was free. Don't let the parking meters and the parking sign scare you! You only have to pay for parking during the week.

This arboretum is a haven for plant enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking tranquility. Especially if you're looking for great photos. These curated collections of trees and shrubs showcase diverse species from around the world, offering a blend of education, conservation, and beauty. Many also feature walking trails, gardens, and programs for all ages, making them perfect for family outings or solo explorations. A visit to this arboretum is not just a journey through nature but a chance to deepen your appreciation for the environment. This place can also host weddings.

What a find! I've lived nearby all these years and never knew this kinda garden existed, very clean walkable not crowded and a gem in middle of the city.

Love this place. Went for a plant sale. Bought a native plant. Walked around to enjoy nature. It was a beautiful day even with occasional light rain. Roses are a beautiful sight right now.

I enjoy the arboretum and go during lunch. Does anyone know what these shells are on the river bank?

Love this place. We can spend hours here. So relaxing and calming. My daughter and I went three times this past summer. They have a lot of places to sit on benches or under a tree. We love reading the descriptions of the different plants and trees.

The arboretum and botanical garden sits on a 23 acre site at the UC Fullerton campus. It opens to the public for free. Parking is available at the entrance for a nominal fee. We visited there on a Friday midafternoon. There weren't many visitors as the weather was quite hot under the sun. The garden was divided into various sections like succulents, thorn forest, subtropical and Mediterranean vegetations. They have a wide variety of plants. Unfortunately, some labels were missing. I liked specifically their collection of different varieties of mints and various fruit trees. Besides the normally seen grapes, figs, jujube and pomegranate, they have some more exotic ones like sapote, plantain and lychee. I was also interested in a chocolate smell flowering bush. Unfortunately there were only a few flowers left and they looked dehydrated. There are lots of trails which bring through various sections. Signs were clear but the paths were a bit beat up. There was also a rose garden but only a few flowers remain. Guess it's the wrong season to visit the garden. May visit again in the spring!

Such a gorgeous gem of a place! I love gardens and this one had a wide plethora of plants and trees. The waterfall and turtle pond were beautiful and so peaceful. I love how the garden was divided up by various plant regions- it was like going on a treasure hunt. It probably takes around 45 minutes to go through everything, but you can certainly stay longer and relax on the benches or grass. There are so many little paths and benches- very nice for a stroll with family or a loved one. The parking is free on weekends, but on weekdays you do have to pay. I would happily come again!

The parking and admission was free when I came on the weekend! There were sections for fruit trees, the house, and cactuses. I was in awe by the huge trees there and the variety of cacti they had. It was also just a great walking trail to get some exercise and greenery in. I wish the signs for the trees and plants were more descriptive but other than that it was an amazing time and experience. I definitely recommend if you are looking to do something fun for free

If you want to get away and be surrounded my nature, this is my place for you! It's a cute little spot tucked away in the CSUF campus. You don't have to be a student to come here. Admission is free and parking is free on the weekends. I was pleasantly surprised because it was bigger than I expected. There are many areas to explore such as a desert collection, citrus area, cacti garden, and so much more. They even host different events and weddings here. Side note: Currently, the Heritage House museum is closed until Fall 2024.

Very cool place to send a few hours in nature surrounded by a gazillion different species of trees bushes flowers. Very cool. Recently found this place and decided to go for a visit. There is a recommended donation at the entrance. The park was much larger than I expected, and it took us a while to walk around all the areas. The areas are divided into different "climates ". The desert area full of cactus is probably the coolest looking. There's a lot of chairs to rest and just take in the beauty of the place. Also, there's an area with fruit trees with very sour oranges. I tried one. Overall a beautiful place and I would highly recommend a visit.

Went here for a Homeschool lesson on plants and it was the BEST! The kids learned and enjoyed their surroundings! Volunteers there were awesome and even showed us an open pomegranate and told us about its seeds... loved it!

Another hidden gem in OC. This has been one of my favorite places on the planet since 2005ish. The collections here are engaging and unpretentious - I'd like to keep this arboretum a secret b/c it would be a shame to see this place overrun with unruly kids and couldn't-care-less adults. I do think groundskeeping has lagged a bit in the past 6 yrs or do - lots of the plants need tending and there's not as many bird species as in the past. Maybe not as many students care about botany or the arboretum anymore?? I do love photographing the flora and fauna here. Some very unique plants here that I've not seen anywhere else in my travels. There is a small fee for parking - but admission is free/donation. Bonus!

What a nice surprise! Fullerton Arboretum is a nice botanical garden near the campus, a 10 minutes drive from downtown. There's a parking lot, I used Lyft, so I didn't use it while visiting the area. Free to visit, $5 suggested donation. They do sell fruits and vegetables at the entrance that they grow inside the gardens. What a cool idea! Otherwise, expect to spend around 2 hours in here, there's a small lake with turtles, ducks and koi fish, a cacti garden, a nice orange grove, fig trees, lots of interesting trees in general, lots of nature learning. There are spots where you can sit down and relax. Great place to walk around, relax, exercise, lots to learn! Too bad the Heritage House is still closed. Peaceful spot, lots of photo ops! Not as big as other gardens in LA area, but this is still a great place to visit if you are in the area! Or make it a destination!

It's nice to have an arboretum in the area that has free parking on the weekends. The lot is small but has shade. Food is not allowed (so no picnics), but the arboretum is super easy to walk and has benches just about everywhere. Since parking is limited, the arboretum is never too crowded and an enjoyable walk.

What a gorgeous hidden little gem. We came here with a group of kids and they had a blast playing in the stream and looking at all the plants and turtles. Definitely make sure you leave enough time to go through the whole garden. They have it separated by climate and there's even a children's garden and wind chime area. I'll definitely be back to relax and explore again. The only part I didn't love was the parking situation. You have to pay online on your smart phone. Looks like they're on their way to install a parking kiosk.

This is one of my all time favorite places to take a relaxing low key walk. It is a bit small, so unless you do a lot of loops, maybe not a five mile run sort of place, but the flowers and plants are always beautiful and relaxing to be around. They often have events going on and friendly volunteers educating guests about the local plants and wildlife. I like to pop in here and draw some of the landscaping from time to time. They also have multiple landscapes, so desert area, roses, chaparral, tropical, woodsy, etc. The heritage house is a historic house and architectural gem. There is parking in the front and i believe you do need to pay for it during the week. The bathrooms are somewhat near the entrance and always clean when Im there. You can't bring dogs or pick the fruit from the trees and it closes at 4pm. But it is always clean and mostly run by volunteers, so I think they're doing a terrific job.

Such a relaxing place to visit in the CSUF campus. I would've never thought that there would be such a cool place to visit in a college. Totally wheelchair/stroller accessible trails, and neat plant life. There's a babbling brook that goes through the arboretum and would be a great place to just sit and relax. Both of my high school kids made the same comment that it would probably be a place that the students go to if they were feeling stressed before finals. Haha. I'm sure that's true, because I know I would! There's a cute kids section, and the cart in the entrance sells fruit that they grow on campus. $5 donation suggested per person, parking kiosk is located towards the entrance.

It was an okay visit overall. The garden has a few interesting things to see--some pretty plants, a few peaceful spots--but nothing that really stood out or wowed us. The layout was decent, and the atmosphere was calm, which made for a relaxing walk. The price was fair, not too high, but given the experience, it's probably more of a once-in-a-while visit rather than a regular go-to. If you're nearby and in the mood for a quiet stroll, it's worth checking out, but don't expect anything too exciting.

Beautiful garden to walk parking is free! House built in 1800's on the lot, waiting for it to open it's being renovated. A treasure!

Beautiful place and so peaceful to visit. Great place to go walk and enjoy the flowers and trees. Saw some baby geese too.

What a cute and diverse garden! We really enjoyed this little Orange County gem! You have to download the app to park but once inside you will forget about that small inconvenience. I'm glad we went during spring.

Very much healing n beautiful, the running creek, all kind of tree n herbs , nature is so beautiful and relaxing, You forget everything just be and enjoy, I love it every time I go and tell others to enjoy it too.

Amazing walk through the Fullerton Arboretum. Voluntary $5 admission fee. It was a lot bigger than I expected. Lots of shade during the summer heat and a couple small ponds to relax nearby. There is also a small kid section to stroll around with children. There were so many variety of plants and trees that were separated by their origins. Highly recommend checking out by yourself, with your significant other, or friends.

This place will be dear to my heart... first off, it is nestled on the campus of CSUF. That is my alma mater! Secondly, I still remember my first day of college as a freshman straight out from high school... *sighs deeply* I didn't know how to schedule my classes yet and had a huge 2-hour gap between my AM classes. I decided to explore the campus. After passing the library, then the kinesiology building, and then the dorms -- I find a gate of natural flora. I've always been obsessed with gardens, flowers, plants, trees. You name it! I love flora. As a result I found the entrance on the dorms side into the Arboretum! This view was incredible because it led you straight to the lake, the beaches under trees, the grass. It was so picturesque! I was so in love with it. The best part was no one else was around when I was there. This AM visit to the Arboretum became a part of my daily routine. After the many years, I find myself going back. I would admire the trees, the babbling brook, the succulent garden, and I especially love the historical house. It reminds me of Mr. Richard Nixon's house style. Anyway, I also love the pergola of wisteria when it's in season and the rose garden when it's in bloom. There is a part of the grounds that I recently discovered and it was cool! If you take the path on the north side by the large venue space -- Bacon Pavilion... it ends up taking you up to a mini hill or mound. There is even a bench up there. It was like a little secret spot! Parking is easy to find. There is a cement-dirt lot right in front. Also CSUF's parking lot is adjacent. If I recall correctly, it is free to park there on weekends. (JUST IN CASE -- READ THE PARKING LOT PAYMENT MACHINE) Yes -- you can have an event there, such as a wedding. Visit their website for details. It truly is a charming location for an outdoor wedding. And yes! You can take professional photos there! You just need to fill out the permit online and pay the fee according to your party size. This can be found on the Fullerton Arboretum's website. There is a time limit and you must schedule it in advance and adhere to the guidelines. The Arboretum is free of charge, but like a museum, you can contribute. Now that I am an adult, I find myself exiting and dropping at least a $5 bill in the donation bin. It feels so great to finally give back to something that gave me happiness, peace, and beauty when I was a college student.

First and foremost, I wish I had more time to meander and not have to walk so fast before closing. Best to come here with a buddy, there are coyotes in the area. Lots of beautiful green plants. Come early for best parking.

This place is so amazing, I wish I knew about it sooner! It's free to go and just $4 for parking. I walked through the redwoods, sat by a brook, smelled the sage so familiar to hiking in SoCal, and experienced the desert all in one hour. Only wish is for a water refill station though!

Beautiful place. Staff very knowledgeable and friendly. I had never been to a wedding more beautifully done than this.

Beautiful garden full of turtles swimming in the lake and curious ducklings wandering around the grass. Forsure a hidden gem and a must-see visit when visiting Orange County. You can take a break here from the world and breathe in some fresh air. Also pretty flowers and plants.

I have visited again after over 10 years of absence. The leafy landscape remains calming but a bit disturbed by construction at the adjoining property. The parking fee is an unpleasant surprise from the old days, but I understand the logic

Fullerton is certainly lucky to have such a beautiful arboretum. It's truly such a gem here in North OC. My husband and I attended the Creative Babe Market, and the weather couldn't have been better. We had fun attending the event and also exploring the entire arboretum. There are so many beautiful things to look at. We loved the turtles and squirrels. The ducks are always fun to see, as well as the bamboo trees and red woods. I'd love to attend more events here and also come back to explore more nature. Bring walking shoes, because there are miles to walk!

Small but it's free. A creek runs thru the whole arboretum ! I like the bamboo best. Also there are beautiful ducks

Love coming here. I visit several times to buy some plants they are selling and to walk around getting my steps in. Always peaceful and beautiful.

This is such a beautiful place, and I went when the trees were blooming so I gotta say it was incredibly beautiful I end up staying all day there because it's huge & I was trying to finish the whole thing The place is huge, 26 acres to be exact! All the different areas are differently beautiful. Some trees were just breathtaking I end up taking too many pictures & videos. Now gotta stay about the people who works there , they were very very nice & helpful. The place was preety clean too. We called Uber & for some reason that become a big hassle to find the Uber guy. Something about the adress of the place itself Is pain in the maps! After a long day in the sun we had to walk a lot , then calling the guy , going round and round ‍ Still I have to say no matter what , if you love nature please do visit this place ! Not gonna regret going there

Very cute arboretum. I've been a student here but I didn't go until after graduating, and I regret not finding this gem sooner. I love going here with my friends to just walk around and see the orange trees. Entry is also free!

I was pleasantly surprised at what the Fullerton Arboretum had to offer. I was able to spend over an hour here easily without realizing it. There are many beautiful plants and the design is well done. The routes take you through a variety of plants across different spectrums (cacti area for example). It's also great for the little ones as there is a children's area in the arboretum where the children can play and have a chance to be more tactile. Parking is free on the weekends, and entry is free (although a $5 donation is suggested.

Fun place to walk around for a relaxing day. Needs a bit of a clean up, but something different to enjoy.

I used to love walking through this arboretum. It's small, and very well kept. It's a beautiful place. Unfortunately, they had to impose parking fees a few years so it makes it a very expensive visit nowadays, especially if you also give a donation to the park while you're there, or become an official member. I miss it but parking at other arboretums is free.

A nice family friendly activity to do in Fullerton. The Arborteum is located right next to Cal State Fullerton. Parking is $4 for an hour on Monday-Fridays and you can pay via an app or at a little machine. Entrance is donation based and they also sell fruits bags by the entrance. Our family had a great time walking around and enjoying all the different plants, trees, cacti, and flowers. It was a lot larger than we had expected. There's also a small children's garden which was nice. Definitely recommend for a nice family outing!