Ganna Walska Lotusland

I mean, one of the top 10 gardens in the world. Yeah, I could see that. It's fantastic. Even if you only kinda like plants it's worth the stroll through the plants and gardens. Expertly tended, in fantastic shape and a treat. You have to get tickets in advance. If they are sold out, call or keep watching the website as they do update. Only open a few days a week, so plan ahead. It's not cheap to visit, but it is worth it in my opinion. Although I do like plants. Arrive on time as the tour window is 2 hours and if you dally you will use up every minute of that time.

Lotusland is a beloved local treasure. If you have an affinity for Flora and Fauna you would be remiss if you were in the Santa Barbara area and fail to book a reservation. The property is jaw dropping.

Turned away at the gate because I didn't have a reservation to look at their flowers. I live in Italy. Visiting in L.A. and drove 1.5 hours by myself to see the gardens. No where did it say "reservations required". Google maps said "open". I told the gatekeeper & she said, "yeah, sorry". When I asked for an alternative, she suggested that I could go shopping. Wow. Manche le parole... Ciao, Lotusland. You sound a lot cooler than you are.

Lotusland is truly incredible. 37 acres of meticulously kept gardens, from an expansive Japanese garden replete with waterfalls, a huge koi pond, and a pagoda, to the jaw-dropping cactus gardens which contain 50-ft tall saguaro cacti, Lotusland cannot disappoint. These gardens truly are some of the best in the world. It is impossible to see all the wonders in just one visit. I hope to go again soon!

We were very fortunate to have a tour of this wonderful garden, with the interesting history of Ganna Walska included. It is a beautiful garden, very different from New Zealand gardens because of the climate. Lots of cacti and succulents, but also formal garden sections. Unfortunately the Japanese garden was closed for renovation, and we were too early in the season to see the lotus flowers. Definitely would like to revisit!

Incredibly beautiful botanical gardens, exquisite grounds and setting. Come in the morning and take your time, or afternoon and stay until closing if time allows. Bring a picnic! Wonderful, magical place. Ponds, cactus, tropical, you name it, you'll see it. What a history! A truly lovely place.

Is there a more beautiful garden anywhere? That's up for debate! Lotusland is a treasure. Madam Ganna Walska's vision, passion and determination helped create this horticultural masterpiece and the current gardeners, staff and hundreds of volunteers keep it all alive and thriving. Membership includes all kinds of wonderful perks. The new expanded Japanese garden is worth a trip! From gigantic trees to baby ladybugs, butterfly gardens to koi ponds, Lotusland is a world unto itself.

Extremely beautiful and historic gardens on the estate. Little pocket universes of plantings from spectacular cactus to prehistoric Jurassic ferns. Newly restored meditative Japanese garden, pools surrounded by gigantic clam half shells and gleaming opalescent abalone shells. A remarkable place to visit.

This place is truly spectacular. Yes, you do have to make a reservation weeks out, and yes, $60 is a bit pricey, BUT the gardens are gorgeous. You are on a pretty strict 2 hour time budget, so you do have to keep moving if you want to see all the areas in the garden, but that said, we were able to see all the areas in our allotted time. We did the self-guided tour, so we did not have a docent with us, but the docent-led groups were very small and the ones we passed seemed very informative and even welcomed us to stop and listen in when they were sharing something interesting. The staff were all super helpful, friendly and accommodating. I have mobility issues so I was there with a scooter. They have a special map that shows you the paths best suited to a mobility device and I had no trouble navigating throughout the gardens. I think this would be challenging if you were in a non-motorized chair, and there were a few places that had some soft gravel or bumpy areas--my scooter had no problem but with thinner tires it might be more difficult. Each area of the garden has a different theme--Japanese garden, fern garden, succulents, etc, and they are so artfully designed that you really feel like you've stepped into a different part of the world for each. Because they only allow a few guests in for each session, it really is peaceful and relaxing. We really felt like we got away from it all for a couple of hours and enjoyed some serene and scenic forest bathing. Many thanks to the amazing staff that keep this place so immaculate and welcoming.

Ganna Walska Lotusland is often touted as one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in America. Some would even say in the world! I've wanted to visit for some time now so when a friend was visiting town, I decided to get tickets for us. The grounds and gardens are definitely exquisite. It is most certainly worth your time if you enjoy visiting gardens. That said, in my opinion, it's overpriced. I say this relative to other famous botanical gardens in Southern California. For example, Huntington Gardens is bigger, has more to see especially when you include the library and exhibits, and yet not only is it cheaper, they offer free admission on certain days. So if you are trying to decide which garden to visit, I'd say prioritize Huntington over Lotusland.

Lotusland is quite the treat!! Hidden among beautiful houses in this gorgeous neighborhood. It was clean, quiet, serene and very beautiful. It's a loop trail of many beautiful landscapes, plants and trees from across the globe. I was there on a Friday morning at 9:30. It seems like they keep the entry numbers down and that helps a lot for the peacefulness of it all. You can do a guided tour or self guided tour. Parking was easy, the restrooms were very clean and there's a small gift shop. $60 may be a bit pricey, but it's worth it to keep this treasure alive. Lots of spider webs, so be aware. The spiders love this place too!! It's truly amazing that this use to be a residential property. Stop by for a visit and bask in the tranquility of it all.

Lotus land is such a hidden gem. I had heard about it online and could never get a reservation but my mom and I lucked out and were able to book a docent led tour ($75 each) one week ago. It was an amazing experience and our guide Lyn was AMAZING. She was incredibly knowledgeable and patient answering all of our questions and showing us every garden on site. I am now planning on getting a membership so I can go next season because it was so beautiful and peaceful. The tour lasted about 2 hours and it was about 2 miles of walking, though you can do self guided tour reservations and go at your own pace and explore any area you want. Highly recommend for a day date or a girls trip!

The most amazing gardens I've ever toured. The docent tour is well worth the cost. I was glad we had someone knowledgeable to lead us around and tell us the stories about the various rare plants and gardens on the property. Since you are limited on your time there you certainly want to make the most of it and I am not sure we would have been able to on our first visit without a docent. The gift shop is small but has lots of lovely jewelry, fragrances, and other items. Worth stopping in before you leave. I bought our tickets months in advance of our trip and I'm so glad I did because this really was the highlight of our long weekend in Santa Barbara.

A (not so) hidden gem in Montecito. I've been a big Walska fan, from her books to her autobiography. She lived a very colorful life from being a singer to a socialite The garden is huge, I was not prepared or thought that it was a lot of land. They were affected by the heavy rains during the winter but I couldn't even notice spots. I know they've worked hard to re-establish the gardens Love the lotus and all the rare plants as someone who geeks over flowers and plants. I was OVER THE MOON I can see Walska's art through her plants. The carefully designed themes to the breathtaking pathways Definitely wear comfortable walking shoes as there is a lot of land to cover. They have some wheelchairs available too but not all the space is WC accessible so make sure you grab a map when you check in.

I won tickets to LotusFest 2023 and took a few friends to enjoy the gardens and try some wine. I didn't realize my day would be so much more! The beauty of this place along with the history and facts about all the plants swept me away. Hidden in Montecito, the minute you step on the the first path you are taken almost literally to a different place. The best surprise was the white lotus still blooming in September when they typically go only into July. All the staff and volunteers guided us through the gardens and answered any question we had. The wine at the event was superb. New favorites include Summerland Winery and Bien Nacido. The ticket prices were reasonable since you spend the afternoon in the garden while allowed to drink and be merry along the way and listen to live music. I can't wait to visit Lotus Land again, perhaps early on a foggy morning for the still and silence!

Lotusland is a wonderful place. The ponds with lotus flowers and giant water lilies and the Japanese garden are magical. There's a lot of friendly and knowledgeable docents available to answer any questions you may have. Entry fee is $50/pp. You have to make reservations for the 2 time slots offered - 9:30 or 1:30 and you only get 2.5 hours to tour the property. This is the reason I gave 4 stars because of the short limited time you get to go through the entire expansive property. I felt a bit rushed and could have used another hour to truly appreciate the garden. I know I missed things and at $50/pp it's disappointing. It would have been nice to sit in the Japanese garden and listen to the waterfall and admire the beauty but had to keep moving. Even with this limitation I still recommend visiting Lotusland.

One of the most beautiful botanical gardens that I have ever been to. There are many different eco zones that you can walk through either in a self guided or docent lead tour. This was my first visit so we chose the self guided tour and honestly I didn't see any other people until towards the end, aside from a few staff members that are there to answer any questions that you may have. You're allowed to be in the gardens for 2 1/2 hours which is plenty of time to stroll through the entire property and really take in the beauty of everything. My favorite part was the cactus garden. It is a bit expensive, being $50 per person, but it's definitely somewhere that everyone should go at least once. In fact, I drove up from Los Angeles specifically for this place. Getting reservations ahead of time is necessary because the spaces fill up and they have a limited amount of people that are allowed in each time, which is nice because it never gets too busy. I definitely plan to go again in the future and this would make a amazing date or special occasion location.

Review is for the 9/9/23 @ 1:30pm visit. Lotusland is a gem of a place! 37 acres of natural beauty and is definitely a feast for the eyes! Be sure to reserve in advance as spots fills up fast. They only limit to 80 guests (general admission) per day. A bit expensive ($50-adults; $25- 17 & under) but well worth it. Free parking for 1 car per reservation. Be sure to request the free 2-hour docent-led tour (if not, you are welcome to walk the grounds on a self-guided tour but are limited to 2 hours). Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water (it was slightly warm and humid when we went), as the tour will last about 2 hours and span 2 miles. Dogs are not allowed and it states on their website that you will be turned away at the entrance if they see a dog in your car (which you intend to leave in the car while you're walking the grounds). We were part of a group of 7 led by our friendly docent, Jill. She was very knowlegeable on the history of Lotusland, the woman (Ganna Walska) who founded and worked over 40+ years to make Lotusland into what it is today, and the various plants/flowers. Our tour group walked at a leisurely pace stopping at various points. Be sure to take all the pictures you want as you walk to the various areas of the gardens because at the end of the 2-hour tour, you won't have a chance to back track and go back to any specific areas where you missed your photo opportunity. Sometimes, I didn't get a chance to hear everything our docent was talking about because I lagged behind to take pictures. Overall, I highly recommend visiting Lotusland while you're in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area.

Lovely gardens. Lovely events. Reserve to visit with a member. Interesting history of the grand dame who created this treasure. It once has peacocks roaming but now local birds, exotic and native specimens. The docents are lovely, happy and knowledgeable.

Amazing doesn't seem like strong enough of an adjective to describe the beauty in this place. A few of gardens on the property consist of ferns, succulents, cacti, a Japanese garden, Lotus flowers, lily pads, roses and even some topiaries. Everything is beautifully manicured and displayed. Since this was my first time here, my friends and I chose a docent guided tour when we purchased out tickets. Compared to other botanical gardens in the area, the ticket price is high at $50.00 a person and advance registration is required. Our docent was Bela Nuss, a very knowledgable and friendly garden volunteer. His depth of knowledge enriched our time here as he explained so much about the property answering all of our questions as we went along. The history of Lotus and is fascinating as is the life of the Madame Ganna Walska who the property once belonged to. The tour of the property took two hours and we covered a lot of ground in that time. What was especially interesting to learn is that these gardens are organically maintained, no harsh fertilizer or chemicals are used here. So very refreshing to learn! Really enjoyed the beautifully manicured grounds and the garden workers we spoke with took such pride in their jobs it's easy to see why this place is so special.

What a hidden treasure!! I visited this place with friends from out of town and I'm so glad I did. This docent led tour required a reservation in advance which was easy to do on their website. When we arrived, the main gates were closed so don't be discouraged, just needed to wait patiently for about 5 minutes before they opened. Once we entered, we were directed by the front gate keeper where to park. After we parked, then we were able to walk right up and be greeted by our tour guide. This place is so well preserved and the woman who owned and designed all of these gardens on this property dream continues on for everyone to enjoy. The tour guide did a great job of explaining facts and stories behind this property development over the years to really give me an idea of how lovely this place has continued to flourish through the years. I loved the rose gardens as well as the animal designed bushes. The pools were spectacular and I could imagine this being her home and how her creativity flourished with the beauties of each of the gardens. The cactus, trees and the tropical gardens were also so spectacular as well as the Japanese gardens. I could of stayed longer than an hour. Definitely a must see if you are into botanical gardens!

Perfect for a day trip or a visit if you are staying in the area. Incredibly curated gardens, beautifully maintained. It's a very impressive huge property. You are typically allotted two hours for a visit, we were able to see most of the property in less time than that. Kept a pretty leisurely pace, but it's a fair amount of walking, I loved it. It's a fantastic way to spend a morning or afternoon. So many varieties of plants and flowers. It's a unique experience if you're a fan of gardens, greenery, natural beauty. We did a self guided tour but spoke with several roaming docents that were incredibly kind and knowledgeable about the grounds, plants and history. Viva Madame Ganna Walska! Thank you for the glorious gift you left for us all.

Absolutely IMPRESSIVE! One of the renowned gardens in the world! It was seamless to obtain tickets online. Parking was a breeze as there is ample parking spaces. The docents were ready to receive us. Group size was keep under ten. We started with the Japanese garden. I feel we spent too much time in this particular garden. We made our way clockwise. The pool was beautifully decorated with shells. We viewed the home's exterior. I wish it were possible to view the interior. We took a moment in the Theatre garden while imagining what it would have been like to view a performance there. We were rushing towards the end of the tour as we spent too much time in the first garden. We had to pick one of the last two remaining gardens. We only saw but a handful of bloomed lotuses but it was worth the visit AND price considering the size and upkeep of the property. Thank you to the knowledgeable docent!

This place is absolutely....wait idk if wether to say magical, beautiful, stunning, inspiring in a specific order. Its everything magical, beautiful, inspiring, stunning. Ugh!!! I happened to stumble on this magical place by accident. I happened to google lotus plant because I really wanted to see one in person. It was Father's Day n I had no idea what to do or get for my husband. I ended up stumbling on their website n seeing a happy Father's Day event where you can hang out explore the garden , bring a bottle of wine n chill listen to the jazz band. I surprised my husband w the Father's Day event. The event didn't really go according to plan. The band was super late so we ended up wandering the garden. What a beautiful place!! The band finally made it n they pretty much sucked. I couldn't believe they couldn't afford a good jazz band. Considering how expensive it is to be a member. Living in Los Ángeles I've seen so many good jazz bands. Maybe they were doing it for free? Anyways that didn't matter. We had a beautiful time exploring the garden I was lost in it for 2-3 hours. Got me inspired to buy the book Ganna Walksa because I was so interested in reading all about her work. Too bad I'm not rich enough to be a member. I find myself constantly checking their site for special affordable events.

Beautiful gardens for those that really love plants. My family of 4 visited. It was way too much information for my 13 year old son, but the docent did his best to make it interesting for him. I really like plants but not as much as our tour guide. I would have preferred wandering in the gardens myself and reading the signs than having a guided tour. To each their own. The guide was very into the species of plants which no one in our group was interested in. He was very knowledgeable and kind and that is why it gets 5 stars in addition to being a beautiful place. If you do the guided tour, plan to hear all about plants and where they came from around the world and species they belong to.

What a treat this huge garden is! It's a bit pricey but I felt it was worth it for the 2 hour walking tour and will be bringing my husband next. Incredible collections and our docent, Valerie, was friendly, entertaining and very informative. I recommend the osmanthus perfume they sell in the gift shop--such an unusual scent and every whiff reminds me of my trip there!

So I discovered this place by accident. I google-mapped something nearby and saw a big block labeled "Lotusland." Curiosity got the best of me, and I planned a trip. I called up to purchase a ticket for the upcoming weekend. No? I can't come this weekend? I can come on a Saturday four weeks from now? Um. Okay. FIFTY dollars. Five Zero? Um. Okay. And I have a window when I can arrive and leave? Gotcha. Four weeks later, I was in my car racing towards the place. Google lied to me about how long it'd take me to get there. I was due to arrive a half hour after my originally scheduled time. I called up to let them know, and when I arrived at the parking lot gate, I was surprised when they welcomed me by name. I parked and rushed up to the entry gate. I was warmly welcomed, and given a sticker to wear. No. Put it on your shirt now. Sticker said I had until 11:45 to meander the grounds. Nearly 2 hours from now. Seemed like a lot of time. A nice guy showed me a large map and suggested my route. I took a photo of the big map (I thought it'd be easier to pull up than open up the brochure and map they also handed me.) 8/28/2021 NOTE - You don't have to wear a mask in the grounds, but you have to wear a mask in the lil entry building/gift shop. Thanks the covids. I set out onto the grounds. I explored. I photographed. I ooohed. I aaaaahed. It was amazing. It was beautiful. It was incredible. The plants were healthy, and amazing. Wonderful. Beautiful. The grounds were well labeled, signs clearly pointed to where things were. Elder Docents were in every different area/biome, answering whatever questions you had, and snapping photographs of you in front of plants if you asked. Around 11:45 however. I noticed that the old docents started appearing out of nowhere like ninjas. They'd politely comment that your sticker time was nearly up and direct you towards the exit. "What's that over there?" "Oh, that's the beautiful garden of amazing beautifulness...but it's getting close to 11:45, and the exit is that-a-way." "Ah, okay." [Scott walks towards the exit] On my way out, I was approached by 3 or 4 more elder docents who gently and politely informed me that my time was nearly up and directed me towards the exit. I made it to the exit, and even spent another $30 on a refrigerator magnet and an air plant. So yes. It's beautiful. Yes. It's amazing. Yes. It's wonderful. Yes. It's incredible. But. It's also pretty darned expensive. I'd think for a fifty dollar entry fee, I'd be allowed to roam as long as I'd like. Maybe they're crowd controlling? I dunno. So. Pro tips. Doublecheck Google's travel times to get there. Get there on time. I'm sure an extra half hour would have let me see a bit more of the 25 acre garden. Be prepared to be politely and nicely shooed away when your sticker says so.

A must do when visiting Montecito! We spend two hours here on a guided tour. The gardens are just beautiful! Be sure to book a guided tour if you want an in-depth look at the history and care of the gardens. We made it a day and started at Cafe Luxxe for coffee and SYR for lunch!

It was so interesting and well organized. Our guide was very informative about both the plants and the garden and it's owner. Be sure to buy your entry ticket in advance as entry is very limited.

Good for families. Light walk and some incline. Great views. I would recommend for all the family

The Good: Enthusiastic docents and staff, quite a few rare plants, small group docent led tours, Gardens are well maintained. Not So: Expensive, Overhyped (Claim that Lotusland is one of the top 10 Gardens in the world is highly exaggerated, excessive months long wait to secure reservations)

Surpassed my expectations! Enjoyed this garden much more than the Huntington. The grounds are huge and our tour really did take two hours. The plant specimens were not to be believed. There were more than a few rare ones that I had never seen. I also appreciated the way some of the gardens were arranged (euphorbias on one side and cacti on the other), liked the aloe collection, loved the unorthodox Japanese garden and the outdoor/garden theatre. Lovely docent. Someone in our group had a bad back and had difficulty walking. Our docent was very empathetic towards her condition, but somehow made sure everyone in our group got what they wanted out of the tour. She was a great story teller and FULL of information. Lastly, I had some rescheduling issues a couple of times (due to a death in the family and dental surgery) and they were very accommodating. I called well in advance to change the date. They are only allowed a certain number of people and so missed appointments are due to the difficulty in recouping the money lost. Put this garden on your list!

Lotusland has long been on my list of places to explore whenever I visited Santa Barbara. Admission is on the pricier side ($50 per person), which was one of the main reasons I've skipped it so many times. But hey, this is Montecito, one of California's most pricey places where you might just run into Oprah, Katy Perry or Tom Hanks (all of whom own homes here). The 37-acre Montecito estate was once owned by the late Madame Ganna Walska, a well-known opera singer and socialite. She also was married 6 times, which seems pretty wild by today's standards. But just think of how scandalous it must have been in the early 1900s. The madame acquired not just husbands, but a hefty fortune and poured much of this into these gardens. She single-handedly oversaw the creation of the property's famed Water Garden, where lotus plants continue to bloom every June through September. The Water Garden was originally a swimming pool left behind by the property's previous owners. However, when the Madame moved in, the pool was a leaky mess and unclean since there was no filtration system. Her solution? Fill the bottom with soil and gravel and make it a garden. It's stunning even without the lotus in bloom. Normally, the grounds are seen by taking a guided tour only. However, during COVID, it's all done by self-guided tours. Or in our case, a special Valentine's Day picnic, where we were able to enjoy the gardens as well as bring our own picnic spread to enjoy on their lawn. The place is huge, so if you're doing a self-guided tour, we recommend prioritizing the top spots including the Japanese Gardens, the Water Garden, the Theater Garden and the Topiary. We personally loved checking out all of the topiary shaped into chess pieces, horses and even a peacock. When we visited, self-guided tours ran at 9:15, 9:30 and 9:45 for morning visits and 1:15, 1:30 and 1:45 for afternoon visits. Reservation times are available Thursday through Saturday. All visits require a reservation and they are totally old school, meaning no online reservations. The only way to do it is by calling them directly. I didn't have any luck getting a person but leave a message and wait for someone to call you back. I'm not used to actually picking up my phone, but knew it was probably Lotusland when I saw the Montecito number coming in. It takes effort to make a reservation and it's expensive. But we feel like it's well worth it.

Our Docent, Linda, was fabulous. full of information & obviously loves what she does. and who wouldn't. The garden is easily worth more than $50 and one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever toured. Dont miss this opportunity if you are in the Santa Barbara area!

When we were in Santa Barbara last time, I came across this amazing garden that we wanted to visit. Was quite disappointed to hear advanced reservations were needed as I didn't find out about it until the last minute. Fast forward a few years, back in town and definitely wasn't going to miss it this time. Tickets were on the pricier side - $50 / person (ages 3 to 17 $25 // 2 and under free). But, after seeing the elaborate gardens and the maintenance needed, it was well worth the money. The property is organized with groupings of similar plants and climates - highlights for us were the Japanese Garden, Cactus Garden, Parterre, and Water Stairs. Will have to return for the guided tour when Covid restrictions are lifted - currently it's just self-guided.

This is a wonderful place! My review is in regards to ADA accessibility for wheelchairs - not to discourage anyone from going, but to inform, as it is advertised this large garden is wheelchair accessible and even advertises an accessibility map, and has push wheelchairs for use on site. My dad has been in a wheelchair for a couple years now, and between 3 fit kids in their 30's, we would not have been able to push a wheelchair through any of this garden unfortunately, as the paths are not paved (they are dirt or gravel) and the smaller paths within the gardens are narrow and encroached by the plants. I am writing this as there are many elderly visitors or people traveling from afar, and even if you are young and strong, visiting just the main path (not including the smaller paths of the gardens) would not be doable without an electric wheelchair - you would still be very limited in what you could access and see. I hope this helps families to plan/avoid discouragement upon arrival for their loved one who is disabled, as I have to say these grounds are truly not accessible. I was a hotel designer for 10 years and I am surprised by the ADA advertising done, as it would be very disheartening to bring my dad here and he wouldn't actually be able to participate. All else aside, the gardens and staff are wonderful, and my husband and I enjoyed our visit!

This is the most beautiful garden in Santa Barbara (maybe even the world). There are a number of unique exhibits with exotic plants. I could stay here all day just sitting in the peaceful Japanese garden...each season has it's perks with different blooming/fruiting plants throughout the year. All of the tour guides are so knowledgeable about the history of Lotusland and the beautiful nature that is housed in the gardens. I would recommend spending a day here and taking your time admiring each garden!

Absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking, though pricey, but my friend and I thought it was worth the cost. 37 acres, 21 gardens (though one of my desired gardens to see was closed for renovation: Japanese Garden) and I was informed the day I bought my tickets, so I did have an option not to go. We went on the tour. Our Docent's passionate knowledge about Ganna Walska herself, the gardens and the history was presented to our group of 10. Honestly, if I lived in SB or near SB I would join the membership, just so I could go at different time of the season to see all the different vegetation change. The Saturday we went in mid-Sept, the weather was beautiful, not too hot and no rain or clouds. A lot of the tour is shaded, but there are some areas that it can get hot and there is no shade. Wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking, not fast paced. The tour does take about 2 hours. Ours slightly over 2. No bathrooms on the tour, but there are plenty in the front while you wait for your tour group to begin. Fast hints: - Check your 10 day forecast before you purchase tickets (no refunds of any kind. - Wear comfortable shoes and maybe a hat if you are sensitive to the sun and use the restroom if needed before the tour starts. Lotusland: absolutely gorgeous, Tour: is well worth it! Docent: excellent

What a fun place. Follow the directions how to enter or you will be entering wrong. It's so beautiful lots to see. More land then you can walk. Great spots to sit and rest with a view of beauty. Helpful staff. Highly recommend coming here.

Maybe I was Madame Ganna Walska in my past life? Ganna was a Polish opera singer, socialite, and garden enthusiast who purchased this estate in 1941 and spent 43 years creating Lotusland. She wanted the best, biggest and most unusual plants & trees and was often willing to pay any price to get them. Named one of the 10 best gardens in the world and home to over 3000 plants from around the globe. After her death it became a non-profit botanical garden that all can visit today. Things you'll get to see - over 20 incredible gardens from Japanese, tropical, desert, rose, succulent, just to name a few. Some areas are even lined with crystal pathways. The details are unreal as Ganna loved dramatic details. Her pink house can also be seen from the outside but tours are not offered inside. There are several pools around the property that feature large seashells. There are also many ponds and some are home to one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, the lotus. Here are some fun facts: Admission is $50 for adults By reservation only, by phone (old school) Tours are intimate, no more than 10 guests Guided tours only & last approx. 2 hours Open seasonally: Feb - Nov Located in residential neighborhood 37 acres of beauty Lotus bloom typically from July - Aug Ganna lived a very colorful life and wrote a memoir. It's a really great read! Don't miss the gift shop on the way out & take something special home with you to remember your visit. I brought home her book and a few dry lotus from her pond that live now in my kitchen. One word that comes to mind to describe this amazing place - ethereal

This place is beautiful...and pricey. And I don't mind paying the money for nice things, but damn this place needs more variety. It's like 70% cactus. Most of the place is all succulents. Yes they have a few birds of paradise here A few ferns there A few lotus flowers, lilies, And a few roses But go here and see what I'm saying. The lady who started the place grew up in Poland, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they have many succulents there. Well she got to America and went succulent crazy. But just because SHE went succulent crazy doesn't mean that Lotusland has to keep it this way. Change it up. Balance it out. Can't wait for the Japanese Garden to come back Note: our tour guide Carol was FABULOUS! Total Rockstar

We fell in love with Ganna Walska Lotusland! It is the biggest collection of gardens we have ever seen.. no wonder it is recognized as one of the top gardens in the WORLD!!! We walked through the 37 acres like nothing because every garden has something espectacular, to see!! FYI Gate opens 5 to 10 minutes before your reservation time. And you must call to make reservations!!

Nobody is actually prepared to experience the vast variety of plants, gardens and elaborate stories about Ganna Walska. What an unbelievable collection from all around the world, spanning almost 40 acres, but only maintained by eleven gardeners. Her life story with her six husbands, related drama and exotic gardens was as entertaining and overwhelming as historical. The two hour tour and conversation was amazing - everytime you thought the tour was over, there would be another garden, another pond, another pool. Words cannot adequately describe the grandiosity of this enterprise. It is one of a kind and a must for visitors of Santa Barbara.

"The Longer I live the more beautiful life becomes" FLW Lotusland is a breathtaking space expressed with organic simplicity. The creator, Madame Gonna Walska inspired a one of a kind Botanic Garden surrounded with birds that sing through this enchanting place. There are no words, if you want to be inspired, healed, and embrace nature, this is a magical place to visit. "What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence" Monet

Loved it , always heard great things but never planned ahead with a reservation. Finally ! If you love plants and horticulture, it is a must and it is not just lotus ! Perfect and wear comfy shoes and need about 1.5 hour to stroll at leIsurely pace !

Tried to surprise my wife on our trip up to SB. On a Saturday we couldn't even get in w/o reservations . Tried calling several times and was being pushed to a voice mail. After 1.5 hrs trying we gave up, sorry hun. Maybe a five star view inside IF you can get in but definitely a 1 for the way everything is set up. Also you might get confused of where the entrance and employee entrance is.

Me and my wife visited this massive garden in SB county and it is worth the entrance fee . There is a lot of history and the Chinese pond was my favorite

this place is gorgeous. Not very crowded but the Landscape is stunning. Lots of variety and lots of very unique specimens for those who know what's up. I will come every year. The gift shop is also gorgeous for gifts that people would actually like to have. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Poorly maintained and potentially dangerous. I was driving up to the property and a tree branch fell and smashed my car while still in the intersection. This could have easily killed someone but Lotusland took no responsibility for it. Basically stated - too bad, these things happen. No social or civil accountability for their negligence.

The gardens are gorgeous, and I would give this place 5 stars if it wasn't for the docent acting rudely. My mom and I were helping my wheelchair-bound grandma on a narrow path and the docent behind us asked if we could move. Like, you can see we're working on it! We're helping a disabled elder here, have some compassion, sheesh.

Excellent garden collection. Private tour with my parents' friend who's a docent. So many rare and exotic plants. Wow. Really a perfect spot on a glorious sunny day! Some background: Ganna Walska was the third owner of this estate. She bought it in 1941 and lived there till 1984. She was an opera singer, ran a theater company, loved clothes/costumes, jewelry. A true diva, in the brochure she resembled Elizabeth Taylor. Both married a couple of times. Some aspects of the estate and grounds were in place before her time from the previous owners. The gardens are a 501-3c non-profit organization. There are 3 pools, one of which is now a pond. One pool is surrounded by abalone shells, another has papyrus growing in it, and the other is a reverse quatrefoil shape, which is a shape I had never seen for a pool. There's a rather non-traditional Japanese garden, non-traditional as it combines more things vaguely "Oriental," Shinto, Zen, a pagoda, bonsai (trimming not necessarily the teeny tiny plants), and statues of cranes and nice quotes. I really like the blue garden, the Japanese garden, my parents enjoyed it all. The cycads are "prehistoric", my mother's description. Public tours by appointment, the gardens aren't open year-round, more like mid-Feb- Summer/Fall. Call or check online for details. According to some press quoted on their brochure, Lotusland is one of the top 10 gardens in the world. To see the namesake lotus plants plan to visit in mid-summer. Lastly, the gardens are part of CA schools curriculum for botany. All fourth graders in SB county visit on a field trip. When you learn about Botany, or plants, you learn about preserving the earth (and ourselves, as the Earth is our home).

Absolutely glorious. Truly paradise. And Peggy, our docent was lovely. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Horrible Gift Admission Pass Policy. My girlfriend gifted me tickets in the fall of 2019 to visit Lotusland. We were planning to visit this garden in the spring of 2020 and Covid-19 shut the world down. I had to take Covid-19 very seriously because of underlying health reasons. We started to explore the world a bit more last year as the disease became less lethal and I had access to the vaccine now. We wanted to finally redeem the gift certificate she purchased but when I called to redeem was told they expired, and no extension is given even though there was a pandemic. At $100 dollars for two passes it is absolutely ridiculous that they weren't willing to redeem these passes to walk the garden. They got their money and didn't have to provide any kind of service. The only response I got on the phone call was I could make new reservation and pay another $100 dollars. They got a free $100 dollars and never provided any kind of service. Absolutely a shame and scam. Avoid purchasing any kind of gift admission pass.

What a gem of a place. I never knew about this place until this weekend. A friend of mine invited me to join her for a self guided tour (no guided tours due to COVID). It is a great way to spend a few hours and learn about the former owner of the place and see the amazing flowers and plants.

A must do for all who love gardens, plants, artworks! Right brain and I were given a private tour today and I am embarrassed I hadn't been here before. Most amazing tribute to one of histories most storied personalities, Ganna Waltza. This 35 acre property is like going to many different countries, ecosystems, and topographies. Reservations required. Thousands of exotic plants! Expect a guided tour about two hrs long, packed with tales of Gannas life, her love of plants and how the gardens matter to us all. Thank you Lotusland, we will be back!!

Pricey, but beautiful laidback gardens, transported me into another world, so serene and lush. Exquisite Japanese garden with small lake. Awesome, fun topiary section!

place is expensive but after going, i understand how much maintenance that place needs. I'd pay $50 just to see the Japanese garden area but you get like 10 other areas for that price! I wish they had more stuff in the gift shop, it would have been nice to get a trinket from going there (even a fun little pot).