San Diego Botanic Garden

The San Diego Botanic Garden is a.perfect place for plant lovers to visit. From beautiful fragrant plumerias and towering banana trees to unique pitcher plants, and dragon fruit, every corner was wonderful. The statues covered in succulents, water lilies, and birds of paradise add even more beauty. The massive bamboo was incredible. So much to see and explore. We didn’t have enough time to see everything in just a few hours. When we’re in the area again, we will definitely return.

Amazing gardens situated not far from the coast. You can see the Pacific from an observation tower at the back of the gardens. These gardens are not as big as the Golden State Park gardens but the San Diego Botanic Garden has a large variety of ecospaces packed into it. The bamboo forest is amazing. Make sure you go through it. The plants attract a variety of animals including monarchs in the butterfly garden. The hummingbirds are found throughout, and the pond is a delightful place to see water plants and turtles. Some of the garden's standouts are olive trees, cork trees, and an artistic Mexican fiesta garden.

Beautiful place with a lot of exotic plants. Great place to bring visitors, or even to bring the kids to let off some steam. I beleive they also offer packages to have your wedding here as well, but im not sure. *suggest getting a year membership if you want to visit a couple times throughout the year

I expected so more from a botanical garden. It's in desperate need of a face lift. Half of the plants didn't have signs letting you know what they were. And the signs they do have are faded, tiny and really hard to read. It seems like there is a serious lack of plant maintenance. There were some really beautiful areas though, like the lily pond. And it was a nice place for a peaceful morning stroll. Be advised they do not accept cash, only credit cards.

Dropped by here with wife. Really love the place. There is a mini tree top area you can go up and relax. A lot of cool edible plants around. A staff actually plucked a fruit for us to try. The place is big enough to walk and burn some calories while grabbing some snacks along the way. We would have come back for a second time during trip but had some unforeseen stuff show up. Thanks again for the great memories.

We enjoyed the gardens with what little time we had. We, unknowingly, purchased tickets 1 hour before closing. We would have appreciated a warning from the associate that we had 1 hour left. We should have done our research, but this was an impromptu visit. Surprisingly, tickets are full price whether you have all day or 1 hour. We will possibly visit again, with plenty of time to enjoy the whole gardens.

I’m a flower enthusiast and this botanical garden exceeded my expectations! First of all, it was enormous… definitely a place that you could spend hours and hours. They also have yoga classes a couple of times a week if you register in advance and or sometimes can go last minute I also love that they had a couple of kids playground areas…. It’s always a wonderful thing to hear the laughter of children. It also had amazing views looking down into the ocean.

Outstanding. Exceeded my expectations. We started morning yoga on the lawn which was quiet and perfect for reflection. Visited the special Orchids show which blew my mind. Who knew there were so many types and how they grow. Very informative. We than walked the gardens. One cool segment after another. Easy walks with some incline top of a waterfall and viewing platform to see ocean. Best was the amazing Bamboo!! Bamboo gardener was exceptional in explaining types and speed of growth. He even pointed out a rare flowering bamboo ready to spread its seeds. A great day in nature

This is an amazing botanical garden with things to engage children as well as adults. A living tree house plus art activities for children plus lots of beautiful gardens and places to walk. We hound ample parking plus if you buy a membership it allows you to visit many other gardens for free. Great way to spend a few tranquil hours in nature.

I am fond of Botanic garden wherever the city we are visiting. It was a challenge to find a parking spot. We had to go around several times until we got one. The garden has numerous unique themed gardens. We had free admission since my family has American Horticultural Society AHS membership. There was Orchid show but with separate admission fees. We stopped at their gift shop too, to get some souvenirs. It looks cool and they have nice merchandise and plants for sale. We had such a relaxing and refreshing time at San Diego Botanic garden.

We came here today for a quick 1.5 hour visit. Parking was almost all gone by the time we arrived on Monday at noon. Got free admission due to AHS family membership. Tickets to the orchid show were separate costs at $7 per person but we did not do the orchid show. Lots of walking up and down hills once inside the botanical garden. Best part was the bamboo forest and the bamboo pond. We saw bull frogs, baby turtles, gorgeous lotus flowers, baby fish and lily pads. There is even a waterfall inside the garden near their cafe. A tranquil walk inside this lush clean garden. The kids enjoyed it too, granted one was sleeping.

This place is huge so bring your walking shoes! It's filled with beautiful flowers and plants from around the world. You can get some beautiful views of the surrounding city at the top of the wooden outpost. My lady and I went on a weekend and it was not too packed (we even found ourselves alone enjoying nature every once and a while).

The entire garden is huge and extraordinary. It's super hilly so you will get a lot of exercise and there are benches throughout for rest breaks. There are so many beautiful gardens within the Botanic Garden itself so I am just going to mention my favorite: the Mexican Garden. It's filled with sculptures that are adorned with flowers. It's so incredible! Plan to spend a half day if you want to see the entire place. It's so lovely.

Absolutely gorgeous grounds and we loved the orchid exhibit. Looking forward to using my new annual pass!

We came in February and were disappointed in the garden. Pretty small and expensive $18/person. There was a decent amount of greenery but a lot of it was closed off. Maybe we got unlucky and went at a bad time.

The Corpse Flower Bloom was incredible. An item checked off my daughter's bucket list. We saw it during the day but returned past 10 pm for all the aromatic glory (more aptly gory). It's an amazing, magical place showcasing fauna extreme. Docents are walking around giving individual education on plants. Highly recommend.

I had a great time wandering around the place with my daughter. It's beautiful and there is plenty to explore. Maybe a bit pricey to get in but I'm glad we came.

Beautiful setting hidden in an unassuming location in Encinitas, of all the years I have visited family here I had only been twice but it is a hidden gem. Going around the holidays they have things lit up very nicely for a night walk, but I was there in the day. Things are well labelled and you feel like you are transported out of the city and to a more tropical/fantasy region of the world. They have a nice shop as well with some hand crafted items.

This is my yearly happy visit. The lightscapes is so beautiful and such a great date night or night out with the family. There are few stands where you can buy snacks, hot coco or wine. Super friendly staff guides you through the path. Highly recommend! :)

Dear Hubby and I are fans of botanic gardens. We have introduced our Sweet Granddaughter (almost age 4) to our favorite, Descanso Gardens. Now as we have time to go beyond, are in a new area, we want to expand her experiences and our own. On the homeward leg of a recent trip to San Diego, we made time to stop at this garden property in Encinitas. Our reciprocal membership with Descanso got us in free (yay!), and we were off exploring the landscape. The special exhibit of killer plants (Venus Fly Traps, etc.) in the conservatory building was a great start. SG liked the interactive parts of the presentation. Unfortunately, the children's garden closest to the main entrance was in pretty sad shape; looking dried out and lacking current flowers in the containers. We did get to observe some caterpillars on their life track to becoming butterflies, so that was cool. We decided to gradually hoof it up to the highest point in the garden - the observation tower. Along the way we checked out and enjoyed the cascading waterfalls in the tropical jungle section. The cooling effects of the water and the mature plantings was delightful on a sunny day. We then stopped at the gazebo for a spell, and then the snack bar. We shared snacks of chips, popcorn, and a banana nut muffin between the three of us, sitting in the shade and reflecting on our natural surroundings. A docent kindly lead us to the base of the observation tower's wooden pathway, as it was an obscure way to get there from the cafe area. The view from the tower was quite substantial - gazing out to the blue Pacific, and over the hillsides of Encinitas. It was worth the climb! We had to cut our visit short, as we had plans to meet more of the family in nearby Cardiff for brunch. SG wasn't having it; she didn't want to leave. Took some persuading to get her back to the car. She did wish that there was a place to play. She especially loves climbing and was disappointed there wasn't an area for that kind of exploring. There is a second kid zone on the far side of the garden, but we didn't make it that far. I would consider returning; probably at its best in the springtime after the winter rains. Never did get to poke around the gift shop, so I can't speak to what they offer there. This is a mature garden and a special resource for this part of the county. Glad we got to see it.

These gardens are beautifully maintained, with ocean views, and a huge variety of plants. It's a great place to walk around for a few hours and an awesome sensory experience for kids!

Gorgeous wonderful place, perfect for a lazy weekend. Took my 2.5 year old and we had the best time. The annual membership is well worth it! Can't wait to return. We spent almost 3 hours exploring.

My first time visiting this botanic garden! It was perfect for a spring day. My favorite was the succulent garden and the Mexican Garden. It was very lush and Zen in the rainforest. There is also a lookout tower with view of neighborhood. The gift shop is small but has a nice variety of goods. Ensure to take your most comfortable walking shoes.

We love this place. We've been here for the festival of light night in the winter and most recently we have been to the Orchid exhibit and the Carnivorous plant exhibit. It is all great. The kids love the treehouse and exploring. It's hard to believe such a beautiful place exists so near the freeway. Even though it is close to the freeway you still get lost in nature and I'm impressed with the sheer number of plant species they have. We attended the Carnivorous Plant 101 class. My oldest son loved it. The instructor was so knowledgeable on carnivorous plants it made for a great learning experience and I think my son loves plants even more. It is impossible to see the whole place in one visit. If you do take in the whole park in one day, you will be exhausted. (They do have shuttle service) Which is why the festival of lights thing they do in the wintertime is soooo worth it. My kids loved it and they made core memories for sure with their grandparents. Parking on regular days is no problem. However, during the winter lights thing, there were a lot of folks. But the staff seems to have great organization and we easily found our way in and out with no problem. Since the programming of the exhibits is so great, we might become members just so we can get the member rate on admission.

I think this is one of the serene secrets of San Diego. Sure people come for Sea World, Legoland, Beaches and Zoo but this is the place to rest and relax. You can easily spend 1.5 hours here and if you love photography or have kids that need to get their energy out (like mine) you should come visit! I love the variety of plants from across the globe that are exhibited here. They also launched a "savage garden" cue the music, that highlights Venus fly traps and other amazing carnivorous plants. The staff are very friendly and knowledgable and I really enjoyed my time talking with each of them. Regular adult ticket is $18 and a senior, or "experienced adult" as the worker called it is $12 and kids age under 3 are free but under 17 just $10 as of this time. We also visited when certain flowers were in bloom. There was a beautiful wedding at one of the snack shop areas. I share that because the way they decorated the wedding made the botanical garden even more magical---so I guess if you're engaged check this place out too.

Despite its name, the San Diego Botanic Garden is located in Encinitas. It's a lovely spot to visit. You can get a membership which is the most cost-effective if you plan on going there more than a couple of times in a year. They always have a range of events and cool displays, making it a great place to visit if you have kids or simply want something to do. It's a great way to spend some time outside, appreciate nature, and just see the world around you. Get the membership you want to come back a few times. Decent amount of parking. You can usually find parking unless it is a special day or event.

A nice place to spend a few hours with beautiful and interesting plants all around. Helpful and friendly staff. Lots of free parking. Could use a few more signs to let you know where you are and what there is to see. Avoid the coffee at the at the little coffee stand. The coffee was revolting with a long-lasting metallic aftertaste. I'm not sure what was actually in it. I dumped it in the first available trash can.

Dear Moms and Dads: What a great place for your kids ( maybe ages 1-10) to have a great time and if they are of-napping age, total win for you. This is a great place with lots of trails, streams, playgrounds, trains and so much more. There is a little snack shack for just drinks and chips. The picnic area available is pretty shady for a little break. This an affordable day activity with a bonus nap time for young parents.

This review is specifically for the Lightscape San Diego event. It was our first time attending, and my husband and I absolutely loved every moment of this unique blend of art and music. The 1-mile loop was adorned with captivating light installations, most of which followed unique themes. Our personal favorite was the mesmerizing "Flow" installation by Squiidsoup. Along the way, there were various stops offering delicious food and drinks, including hot chocolate and warm mulled apple cider. The addition of Christmas music added to the enchanting atmosphere, creating a perfect fusion of visual and auditory delights. Considering the distance covered and the quality of installations showcased, we felt that it was definitely worth the price we paid. Overall, this event is a perfect blend of beauty, art, and music, making it an ideal choice for a romantic date night or a memorable outing with family and friends.

Wow! This was a great visit. I wish I had more time. I could have been here all day. There is so much to see. There are various regions spread out around the gardens and special events throughout the week. I recommend going to the lookout and/or the children's treehouse. A great way to see the mountain and ocean views. I can see why this is a popular destination for local families. If you live in the San Diego area, I recommend getting the annual membership.

We had a wonderful time here! Came on a Wednesday morning, great time to come at 9:00 when they first open. Docents were very informative and helpful and the grounds were very well maintained. Love the variety of succulents and plants based on their area of origin. It can be a little confusing how the trails lead off but my husband kept me from going astray! LOL! Took us a good 3 hours to really enjoy everything, would have liked to see the Mexican Gardens but they were closed for a private event. Next time for sure! Highly recommend coming here.

Staff is great. The carnivorous exhibit was interesting. Nice walking trails Cons: multiple areas closed, no carnivorous plants for sale, and the walking tours are a little to detailed.

This review is specifically for the Lightscape San Diego event. I love SDBG and 2023 was my first Lightscapes event and it didn't disappoint! I thought it was really well organized, plenty of parking, lots of folks available to guide and answer questions, and good options at the concession areas. The visual effects of the event were stunning! I was absolutely enraptured with the different areas, the variety of music that accompanied the art installations, and the overall experience. I am telling all my friends to go. GREAT job SDBG.

Best place to unwind have lunch or just say the hell with the world!!! Best weather ever

Drizzle did not stop us from coming to this event. We really enjoyed it. The colorful lights and scenes were really cool. I only have one complaint and that is that they need more lighting along the walkways, esp the dirt walkways. It was very hard to see where one is going OR they should mention on the tickets or on the website that one should bring a flashlight if they have trouble seeing at night because it is VERY DARK. Other than that we had a wonderful time going through this event. I do agree the price could be a little cheaper but I also know it is to help raise money to keep this place going so...... Take your friends and go have a fun evening next year.

Came here for the Lightscape event during the Holidays this year. Make sure to get tickets a little early because they do sell out. If you're going with a group and taking different cars, make sure to park in the same lot so that you can start the walk together. Lightscape is during the holidays but there is nothing that really screams "holidays" about this event besides some Holiday music in certain areas. The lights themselves are more so just artistic. It is a one mile walk. There are some hills and stairs so keep that in mind. Come in comfy shoes and warm clothing. We came on a Friday night and it was just too crowded. Lots of people crammed together at times. The arch is where everyone wants a photo but the one set up here in SD is A LOT smaller than Lightscapes in other cities. Most areas were just too crowded to enjoy. Overall I'm glad I checked it out, but I'm not too sure it was worth the $30 ticket + $10 parking.

We heard about Lightscape on social media and decided to give it a try. We loved it. The SD Botanic Garden is always an amazing spot but completely lit up for Christmas makes it a great holiday stop for sure. From the music picked for each area, the friendly staff guiding you along and of course the lights, it was a lot of fun. I believe it was just over a mile (no rough terrain at all) so the walk was good for you too. They had food and drinks about half way through and restrooms if you need them. Our special needs daughter loves bright lights and seeing her captivated by them was worth it all. I did think the ticket price was a little expensive but it obviously didn't keep us away. I would recommend this for a holiday stop if you've never been. Have fun!

SDBG is a beautiful place to visit and see many variations of flowers and plants, I really enjoyed their veggie garden. The garden had many varieties of fruits, herbs and vegetables growing. Parking free! Main entrance was easy, purchased tickets at window. Visited during the week, and it was bot super busy, but had a nice flow of visitors and did not feel crowded. Took a few hours to walk through and up a few inclines, great for exercise, visited their café and sat at the shaded patio area which was really breezy and cool. Bathrooms are easily accessible throughout, as there are a multiple. They have a really cool tree house for kids which I will be back to experience with my kiddos. Overall a really nice option to attend and return to throughout the year. SDBG has a light show too during Christmas time it's worth a visit. We met a really sweet woman (can't remember her name) in the plant house she explained and showed us the Corpse flower, it was great!

This is a wonderful place to visit if you are into flowers, plants, and gardens. I am a member of this place and it is so worth it. Located in the beautiful Encinitas, it has plenty of free parking. The garden boasts of a 37-acre urban oasis, 4 miles of meandering trails and ocean views, 5,300 plant species and varieties, and 29 uniquely themed gardens that represent 15 different regions and many habitats of the world. It is also family-friendly with a children's playground. They also protect and conserve many rare and endangered plants which I like. My favorite is the Mexican Garden, which displays agaves, salvias, prehistoric cycads, and festive topiary mariachis. Blooming in May: Sapphire Tower, Puya Alpestris. This plant draws crowds from miles away just to sneak a peek. Its dark metallic-like turquoise petals sharply contrast yet complement the vibrant orange anthers, with a flower stalk reaching upwards of 5 feet tall. Find this magnificent plant in bloom near our South American Garden. On top of the flowers and plants, the garden also yoga classes both indoors and outdoors. I have attended the outdoor yoga classes at the African Garden and I enjoyed it immensely. There's also an impressive seasonal lineup featuring outdoor concerts and live entertainment, a plant exhibition.

Being surrounded by plants is a lovely way to spend a few leisurely hours! As of Oct 2022, tickets were $18 for adults, $10 for kids (bought online the day before). On a Saturday, the garden was quiet with visitors here and there (it's fairly spacious, so it's not crowded at all), and we even passed by a wedding in the evening. The gardens have changed over the last decade, with new additions and events - it's great to see the garden thriving! I like how the garden's split into different regions, featuring both local as well as non-local plant varieties. The plants are lush and healthy; the paths are clean and well-maintained. They even had some scattered pumpkins and other Halloween decorations for October Some highlights: - the Conservatory, an impressive glass building with tons of hanging plants and jazz - a really cool organic-looking treehouse with hanging vines and gnarly roots to climb around - the peaceful shaded rainforest area and waterfall - overlook with views of the surrounding areas and ocean My family brought some food for lunch, and it was nice sitting at some tables to enjoy lunch. Recommend bringing a water bottle. There's also a small coffee stand (Cork Oak Cafe) for coffee and other drinks, near some outdoor tables and chairs. Bathrooms are available throughout the park. It's a really relaxing place to be - definitely a San Diegan gem

We were really looking forward to our visit but upon arrival we immediately noticed the property is not in the best shape. For $50, we walked around to see weeds, dead foliage, broken sprinklers, dirty fountains and dead plants. I'll add the pictures and you decide for yourself if it was worth the price tag. We chose to leave early. There were a few nice areas but overall the place looks rundown and in desperate need of maintenance

first time here and i will say if you are love being in a garden, this place is recommended!!! eighteen dollars for entrance fee but i will say it is worth it. if you have kids, they also can play here. a very peaceful place...

It's difficult to review this garden right now. There's so much that is closed for renovation, lots of mud, downed trees, entrances closed, gift shop closed, weeds, lack of signage. I was there for the SD Geranium Society Conference which met in the Ecke room which is nice. We walked around the garden afterwards. It's not up to my (Huntington) standards. Sorry. I hope they have it back to nice the next time I visit.

Such a local gem. We have lived here 20 years and always appreciate the chance to walk the beautiful pathways of this well-maintained North County attraction. Any time of year is a great time to go; but the Holiday LightScape is spectacular. Just went yesterday and am very impressed with the new accessibility walkways that are being implemented throughout the Gardens. Perfect for wheelchairs or strollers - the project is not 100% complete, but so much more of the garden is readily available even to those with limited mobility. Props to the staff and management team (especially Ari) for not resting on their laurels (pun intended) and continuing to make this a year-round must-see site.

Really gorgeous botanic gardens quite a bit far from downtown San Diego but is worth the trip. The property is big and they have a huge variety of plants. Really cool to see all types of fruit trees that I've never even heard of before. Flowers were blooming and it was beautiful. Definitely recommend this attraction and is worth it!

amazing place in san diego, the people who work here are the best, wifey and I strolled with our baby for the first time and lost track of time and Summer nights schedule.. workers were kind enough to give us some time after closing to get baby fed, packed, and out of the lot.. we have been here about 3 times before.. The SD botanic garden is a magical place and beautiful Gem

Amazing variety of flowers and plants. The succulents were spectacular. Everything was well maintained. A waterfall. Plant sale while we were there had very good prices. The staff does a great job of keeping everything healthy and thriving. Designed very well with information about the different continents of which the plantings are native. The winding paths were wheelchair accessible but with a few steeper inclines. There is also a tram that provides easy access those steeper areas. Restrooms were available in two locations.

Nice garden! You totally should bring your friends or kids come to check it out in a good weather. There are several hills which are good exercise while you are enjoying the fun & beautiful plants. They have multiple area gardens like African garden, Australia garden, bamboo garden.... We learned a lot from this trip. You can also bring kids come to learn about plants. There is a big tree house that you can explore in this botanical garden.

Our family of 9 went to walk through the Botanic Garden Light Show day after Thanksgiving. It was nice to be out. The entry from the Blue parking lot into the Light show was pretty amazing and beautiful, but there were a lot of 'dead' spots or just a few lights on plants throughout the whole walk. There should have been more Christmas lights and an amazing light show through the entire walk. The biggest hit with the family was the lighted tunnel. Overall, at $30 a person plus $10 parking per car, this light show was disappointing. I know of 2 light shows in northern Cal that are free and way better than this one. Sacramento even has its Winter Wonderland at the State Fair grounds that is a lot of fun and they give discounts for buying tickets online. It's not $30 a person. I love supporting local, but this Botanical Garden must know this is a one timer for families. Too bad they didn't do a better job if they wanted to make it a yearly event. Sorry, we won't be going to this one again if it shows up next year.

Awesome light show. Very clever we walked the trail twice, well worth the trip. Dress warm at night and wear comfortable shoes Enjoy the Christmas display that beats all the others!!

Good for morning or afternoon activity with young children, my toddler loves the treehouse and my baby loves napping when we take walks around the garden. There's a music play area too. And lots of shaded paths. We visited a couple of times, would be great if there was a covered seating area for the rainy days to have a little picnic. Also looking forward to when there's a spot to get a coffee and/some food. The coffee cart wasn't open the 2 times we visited.

Parked at the main entrance, Hamilton Children's garden has lots of hands on activities (tree house, water play, chalkboard, musical instruments, etc). Lots of ants in this area so watch where you put your snack bags. We walked (south) to get to the Seeds of Wonder (model train, kid's play house, dinosaur sand pit, log balance beams and rock path) Just a note that even though this walk is paved, there is a hill, pushing a stroller and trying to encourage two other tired kids to keep going in the heat is not optimal. (Would recommend to just drive over to the other parking lot.) There are 'tram' stations through out the gardens that were picking up people but not sure how often they come thru.

I cannot believe this magical paradise has been right here under my nose for all this time!!! My niece and I explored these beautiful gardens for the first time today, and we couldn't have been more thrilled. We began our adventure with the guided tour given by Jeff C. What a delight! And a perfect way to get acquainted with the many sub-gardens featured throughout. He was charming and informative, and his genuine love of this place was evident. We learned some neat things, heard a few interesting and relatable stories, and he even offered conservation messages of how we can be good stewards of our local environments. Afterwards, we felt like kids exploring the various themed gardens, our faves being the Rainforest and the Bamboo Garden, as well as the Dancing Topiaries and Undersea Succulent Garden. Such a wonderful day in a unique and wonderful place.

Took 8 of my family members last night to the light scape exhibit, was my first time visiting the Botanical gardens as we are all from different areas of the country. First- not an abundance of Christmas lights, but rather flood lights illuminating large swaths of foliage. Also many dye cast images. Second - after calling and asking if wheelchair friendly - it is not easily accessible. Much of it is, but many of the grades are too steep. Made it difficult to push my mother uphill and hold her back downhill. If you or loved one is in electric wheelchair it will probably be great. But a push wheel chair was terrible and we were solely concentrating on getting her through the obstacles vs enjoying the lights. Also, couple of gaps are very small. If your chair is wider than 24 inches, you may not make it. Also, many parts were hard clay. If it were to rain, it would be nearly impossible. I rate three stars as not truly Christmas lights and poor handicap accessibility.

We went to the holiday Lightscape event this year. They allow entrance rain or shine. We happened to have tickets for an evening when there was drizzle. There was no problem using an umbrella through the trail. We enjoyed walking around the lights show for about an hour. It was a fun experience with the lights and music. I do not know if it is worth the $29 entrance fee to return for a second time but we were glad to have tried it!

Older plants and hilly terrain makes this area a must see. We enjoyed walking around to get in our steps. We went to the tower on the hill to see the view of the ocean and surrounding neighborhood. Our botanical garden's membership from Cleveland, Ohio, reciprocates with this one. If you travel buy a membership here and use it other places.

Garden is quite large and diverse. Plenty of shady spots and benches to rest along your trek through the garden. The paths can have loose dirt or gravel, so be aware that for strollers or if someone has mobility issues that some paths may be inaccessible. We loved the current World of Orchids display! Beverly was super sweet and noticed we have a little one with us, so she recommended visting the treehouse which was more elaborate than I expected for a kid's jungle gym (it also has some impressive staggorn ferns and a strangler fig for adults to appreciate). Even the common plants they grow are more impressive (eg larger flowers, healthier, more color varieties) than I've seen growing anywhere else. Definitely worth a visit! You can spend quite some time here if you're a plant geek.

My husband and I are members at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center near our home, and take advantage of reciprocal admission privileges elsewhere when we travel. A recent road trip took us to San Diego, and we decided to drive up to Escondido to visit these gardens. October isn't generally the best time of year to visit a botanical garden, but we greatly enjoyed our visit to the San Diego Botanic Garden. We especially liked the comments and recommendations made by the many volunteers who work there. This isn't the typical botanical garden compared with others we've visited. You can get a decent bit of exercise here with all the hills! If exercise isn't what you want, a shuttle is sometimes available based on volunteers' commitments. We chose to walk for most of our visit. Be sure to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes if you plan to explore, as many of the paths are dusty. There are many areas in the gardens with connections to geographic regions, including New Zealand and Australia.. There are also botanical artworks. We enjoyed how succulents were used to form or adorn garments in the Mexican area. Also when we visited, there was an augmented reality exhibit. If this interests you, be sure to download the app ahead of time. It's like Pokemon Go for sculpture. The Japanese garden area with its pond, and the bamboo forest were great places to spend time. The conservatory is definitely worth a visit, too. Inside, a couple of corpse flowers are getting large and will bloom before very long. There were many other flowering plants in the enclosed space. We could have spent much more time than we did at these gardens, but had a very enjoyable couple of hours there.