Sonoma Botanical Garden

Sonoma Botanical Garden is a hidden gem in the heart of wine country, offering a peaceful retreat filled with diverse and fascinating plant life. The garden spans 25 acres and is home to one of North America’s largest collections of wild-source Asian plants, alongside beautiful California native species. Strolling through the well-maintained trails, you’ll find magnolias, dogwoods, maples, rhododendrons, and a charming bonsai exhibit. The setting is incredibly serene, with picturesque lily ponds, wooden bridges, and shaded pathways that make for a perfect nature walk. Some trails are steep, but the views are well worth the effort. The changing seasons bring different floral displays, so every visit offers something new to see. Useful Information: • Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM • Admission: $12 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, and children • Parking: Free on-site parking available • Location: 12841 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, CA This is a fantastic spot for plant lovers, hikers, and anyone looking to relax in a beautiful setting. Bring a picnic and take your time exploring—it’s a true oasis in Sonoma Valley! Highly recommended.

Peaceful, with. Lots of charming trails for a good hike, even in winter when very little is blooming. Right now, there's a fantastic bonsai and suiseki (meditation stones) show.

During an open afternoon, we explored the gardens. It was a hot day, so we stuck to the more shaded trails. There weren't as many flowering plants as we anticipated, but we were there in late September. The grounds are well laid out and provides for a very serene setting.

Beautiful gardens with rare conifers and a ton of different kinds of Magnolias. Great side paths to meander on and explore. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Went on a Sunday, 75 degree day in Spring, and hardly anyone was there. Great view from the top of the hill.

Beautiful place! The staff were so kind and cheerful. They are a joy to be around. I just wish I came during spring.

This is a great place to go and hike around and enjoy the beauty of many plants and flowers, ponds and arbors, etc. There are many resting spots along the way, and the paths are well defined. The gardeners here are crafted with detail. Everything was beautifully taken care of and labeled what kind of plant. All the grounds people were very friendly and all were such happy people. You could tell they loved their work. There are picnic tables around so you can sit and have lunch. Bring water as it can get warm, and it is quite the walk.

Nice place for a gentle hike. Max elevation about 500ft, gives a nice view. Lots of different trails. It was a little busy for me, probably better to go during the week if possible.

Another great open space in Sonoma County. Hill and Valley terrain wonderfully preserved. They have constructed unique and quality paths that are creative, fun, and well built for all abilties. Last visit was in January in the cold, wet, heart of winter. Our Mother's Day visit was just as wonderful

The last time I was here, it was 2009. Now it's been 15 years later. There are some changes. When you drive into the garden entry, you first see vineyards and then the parking lot. The actual center where you pay is actually a bit of a walk from the parking lot itself (see photo). Once you get to the pay center, there is a very clean and charming picnic area full of tables and chairs (see pic). This is where you should eat your picnic lunch because it's super clean, private, and feels very safe (away from wild life or snakes or insects). I wish this garden staff would start a small cafe inside the gift center/pay center. Some panini sandwiches and coffee would be excellent and very lucrative for this garden although the ticket prices are somewhat high (15 dollars unless you're a child, military, or a teacher). Medi-cal recipients can show their card and come in for free which is very nice. Seniors pay about 13 dollars (save 2 dollars). I brought some hot specialty sandwiches from the Sonoma supermarket and some fruit. It was raining lightly so we ate inside our car but eating at the cute picnic tables near the gift shop/pay center would have been much easier and more charming experience. The best restroom is near the parking lot. Definitely use it before you walk. The trail was pretty even except for a few slopes and some walking stones placed strategically inside the ground. The website and reviewers say the average time spent here is between 2-2.5 hours. It took us only one hour to walk one mile and we finished the trail. The beginning of the light hike was not pretty, just a lot of bland trees and random landscape and we saw and heard no one which made me scared for mountain lions. Halfway into the walk, we saw people. There were a few beautiful spots including an area where you can look down at the entire park and you are high up at the same level as the treetops. There was a statue covered in Buddhist prayer flags (see pic), and a few areas of notable beauty (see pics). All and all, it was a peaceful and fun hike. There were no flowers but that's probably because it's late October. I highly recommend this garden for seniors and families. It's an easy hike and the area is clean. It's quiet and there are many picnic tables that are comfortable to have a picnic on. If I was local, I would definitely become a member of the garden and would come hike during the different seasons and enjoy some tranquil picnics. Lion mountains roam at dawn or dusk. I would go in the middle of the day with at least one other person but I think groups are the safest if you're worried about that. Definitely bring a bottle of water.

Nice staff. nice gardens. good shade. Large collection Cool on a hot day. we loved tha they respected the "American Horticultural Society (AHS) " membership. Unfortunately, lots of plants still need their tags (-1 star) was there with a large group, and we found the trails quite nice and easy to walk. we covered every trail, and loved it all. It would be nice to have an more context, either with an audio tour, a pamphlet, or virtual tour to understand more ecological /global detail about the extensive collection.

Pleasant outing with babies and kids. Soothing gardens and water sounds. Brought my baby to this place and he was sleeping throughout the entire stroll. I especially like the ramp with the lotus water area. It was adorned to simply dwell there for awhile and a few benches tucked under shade, along the path for breaks in between. Calm environment and learned that roses came from China; enhanced breeding in Europe. Enjoyable hike! Stroller and family friendly!

We came for the ribbit exhibit( the one with frog statues). The staff was so nice and helpful. Loved all the paths and the pond with the water Lilly's. Would love to go back when it's cooler.

Beautiful place. First time there we ended up joining. On Wednesday evenings during summer there is live music and wine tasting in the beautiful natural amphitheater.

We're in the area visiting our daughter and she told us about this garden so we visited while she was still at work. Very nice staff. We spoke at some length about the layout with the clerk in the visitor center. She was very nice. We also met Guillermo, one of the gardeners, along the way and he gave us some neat tips. We took our time wandering through and spent about 2 hours. The trails are very easy with the exception of a couple short steep areas. Totally doable. We packed in a picnic lunch and ate it at the Ting building tucked away off the main trail. We had it to ourselves and listening to nature, including nearby moving water, as we ate made it a lovely experience. Definitely a place to visit.

Had a nice walk around the garden and the kids enjoyed the scavenger hunt. We spent about 2-3 hours here. We did stop to have a small picnic on one of the spaces that had tables near the trail.

Perfect day in October, headed out to check out Sonoma Botanical Garden with my new daughter in law. Friendly and warm guy checked us in and off we went. Though there's some walking up light grades, it was easy, we were both in sandals, and never got winded at all. Self guided tour map was a bit under informative, signage could be better, but in a way it added to the feeling of discovery whenever we came across the things on the map. We meandered our way to the huge fountain on the pond, the lagoon with the lily pads, the wisteria covered arbor, and the terraced grass amphitheater, all the while enjoying our conversation and the beautiful plants and trees surrounding us. It was a wonderful 90 minute adventure, I'll definitely be going back. What a special place!

I came here to be inspired. But left disappointed. I mostly came on the whim that it had great Yelp reviews. And it was something I haven't visited yet... First of all, I felt for $30 for two people the place is shabby at best. Many parts of the garden look unkept, and boring. It was hard to pinpoint any kind of direction with the garden. And my energy didn't seem to flow here. For me, it was nothing but bad vibes. To me a garden should easily co-exist with nature. It should be something teaming with life, full of energy, excitement and enchantment. Birds, bees, butterflies, and amphibians all should be vibing here for me to connect with... I did not experience any of that here! To me this garden is something that isn't working. And they are trying to hard to keep it alive. I regret my time, money and effort lost looking for inspiration at this establishment. With so many AMAZING local parks. Such as Mount hood, sugarloaf, Jack London, Sonoma valley regional, north Sonoma mountain, annadel and many more. I would have rather spent the time I wasted here, in one of our local parks. Which are chalk full of inspiration, teaming with life, and my energy flows with abundance!

Arrived early on a Friday morning and really enjoyed our visit. Took us about an hour to see/walk most of the garden. Lots to look at and was beautiful. There are lots of cozy, hidden benches scattered throughout the garden walk to sit and rest or enjoy the scenery. Highly recommend to bring light snacks/lunch and eat at one of the hidden picnic benches in the park or at the ones located right next to the parking lot and restrooms. Very shady and beautiful. Restrooms were super clean too. Great visit!

We stayed in Glen Ellen for a week and found our way here one morning. I applaud the founders for setting up such a wonderful garden. They have trees from all over the world especially China, Japan, and Korea. We really enjoyed walking around, exploring the grounds, and took a lot of pictures. The gift shop had some interesting items. It is definitely worth the $12 price for admissions. Do watch out for the thorns on some of the plants.

Beautiful, contemplative, plenty of trails--some steep and others more moderate--absolutely refreshing. The bonsai exhibit was amazing!

Best kept secret in Sonoma County. What a surprise and delight! The place is huge, way bigger than I imagined. There is a lily pond. A Gazebo, a wisteria covered pergola, a waterfall, bridges, benches, a fountain and hundreds of Asian trees , including Katsura trees that smell of burnt sugar. Go there to restore your spirit.

A botanical garden is a sort of Disneyland for nature. Little is as nature intended. It is full of non-native plants neatly laid out. So it's not a walk in nature as it is a tour of an art museum. Still, you need to recognize the amount of work that goes into it. Our tour took place right after New Years' so it was wet and not in bloom. Still, there are many trails meandering around the garden that make it a wonderful walk. The ponds have seen better days with the drought. They are covered in algae and we came across one very dead and floating fish. Hopefully, some rain will flush it clean. The garden was once an old quarry, so you can imaging a back-side-of-the-moon landscape, lifeless. While the whole area is fenced in, we saw only a few birds and no there wildlife, I'm sure nature would rather have this garden than the old pile of rocks and mud. It costs us $10 per person to go in. That was unexpected.

One of the most unique botanical gardens I've ever visited. It's like going for a hike through a private forest, versus a series of garden rooms or regions as many others present. In this case, the Quarryhill "garden", was planted from seeds by its original owner. She favored Asian varieties, which lends an exotic feel to the environment. This is more about trees and bushes than beds of flowers. Meandering paths climb through acres of a gentle hillside. A stream moves between two sizeable ponds, with a waterfall and quaint bridges. On a warm day, the many shady areas felt wonderfully cool. Definitely a place for comfortable walking shoes, preferably with closed toes. Some paths can be on the steeper side, and require caution not to slip on the gravel. Many benches are thoughtfully placed around the property to offer resting places. It would have been completely serene except that some heavy machinery was operating in the adjacent vineyard. Am sure that most guests enjoy a quieter experience. Luck of the draw for us to be there at a noisy time. It happens. Admission is free for members of reciprocal gardens (like Descanso Gardens). Moderate price for others. Cute gift shop with a very Zen feel. Free parking, and a newer restroom building. Picnic tables available. Virtually deserted on a weekday morning.

Dear Yelper, If you're a hopeless romantic like myself, listen up! This review's for you. After playing texting tag with my besty Hikaru, we finally set a date for her and her roomie to come visit me in Santa Rosa! Moving from the Bay Area (where I met Hikaru), I was nervous that my new zip code would be too boring for friends. So, I created a Sonoma County day long bucket list full of nature activities for Hikaru to make sure she enjoyed her stay with me. Some things on this bucket list included: -Sonoma Botanical Garden -Hiking and kayaking around Spring Lake -Thai food at Sea Thai Bistro When we arrived to Sonoma Botanical Garden, at first, the walk was pretty basic (some of the plants were dry and nothing really caught my eye) but I knew I was supporting a great cause (shoutout to the garden staff who are super friendly and are working hard to make this space a zen, green space!) As you can probably tell already, I'm a plant snob (this happened ever since I visited Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and ever since then, I have been super picky about green spaces). Although I wasn't impressed at the start, as we proceeded on our walk, we got to experience a HEAVENLY zone!! This waterfall/lily creek area at Sonoma Botanical Garden was straight out of a netflix romance movie. I was in awe! At that moment, I kept thinking about how this space would be such a wonderful way for my partner to propose to me (Elman where are you? Hope you're reading this! lol). Shout out to those partners out there who are brainstorming ways to propose to their loved one....If your partner likes surprise divine spaces, take them to this part of the garden with a charcuterie board, picnic blanket, a violinist (you can have the violnist wait at the specific spot in the garden and look like a hiker) and of course, bring the special ring you want to propose to your bae with. Also, call up your local photographer and have them pretend they are a friendly hiker and then when you propose, have them jump out of the plants and capture the priceless moment (well, maybe not jump...) because you KNOW that your loved one is going to want to have all this captured on camera! Personally, if this were me, I would want my family and friends to be there to be a part of the timeless moment as well! So, maybe I would call up your partners closest loved ones and have them hide in the plants somewhere too...(you think I'm joking but I'm so serious) lol. Btw, if you're actually taking this part of my post seriously, be sure to walk the hike BEFORE proposing so you can feel it out and see if it's right for you. Also, tell your partner that you are taking them out to a really nice wine club/lunch so that way they get all dressed up (for the engagement photos). For those of you who are NOT interested in any of the above information and just want a solid review to read: I give Sonoma Botanical Garden a 3/5 rating because of the truly amazing staff who are putting love into keeping this space green, the LUSH, heavenly, zone I just mentioned above (that space is a 5/5), and the flower arch. At the same time, this garden needs more funding for caretaking (so if you can, donate)! PROS: Magical zone in the garden that takes you into another world (heaven possibly?), sweet staff, great cause! CONS: Other parts of the garden need more upkeep (specifically the rest of the lily pond that has a lot of algae in it). Of course, this requires funding. With more customers, this garden can dedicate more of their budget to taking care of this space. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised during my visit and want to come back here again to show all of my friends! Who knows? I may change the status quo and follow my own advice by proposing to my partner in this gorgeous space myself (maybe one day). Xoxo, -Linda

Nice garden, relatively small and easy to walk around. With so many small trails leading off the main trail, you def can create your own adventure. Overall peaceful and relaxing.

Established in 1987, Quarryhill Botanical Garden boasts the largest collection of Asian plants on Earth outside of the continent of Asia, and it happens to be tucked away in the quiet town of Kenwood. The weather wasn't quite appropriate for my visit, given the recent rain and what seems to be a longer winter than normal, however I can appreciate Quarryhill for its conservation efforts and the thought and care that goes into maintaining the grounds. There are a variety of different trees, shrubs, and flowers to see, and the grounds are a great spot to go birding, if your interests in nature lie beyond plant life. A flock of Canadian Geese were occupying a pond on the premises during our visit. Hummingbirds, crows, Western Scrub Jays, and more also made appearances. On our visit, we learned that a specific species of Magnolia had just bloomed in the Park, and it was the first time said species was documented outside of mainland Asia. It was neat witnessing a piece of history in the making, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to those who aren't plant enthusiasts. If you're in the area, it's an excellent place to go on a date, or to get outside and do a little walking while experiencing something that may be outside the norm for your average weekend excursion. Visit a little later in spring to maximize the views of the flowers, but you'll have a fun time no matter when you go, so long as it isn't pouring!

Taking in all Sonoma has to offer in the form of delicious meals and endless wine glasses can get tiring! Thus, it was nice to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and get to know the nature around Glen Ellen and the Quarryhill Botanical Garden. We came by a couple days before the new years so there were definitely some barren plants and trees, but it was still very peaceful and beautiful in its own way. Definitely check out the Japanese style pagoda and bridges (highly recommend the view from #6 on the map!). The garden is super well kept and there are multiple paths to go on so it doesn't get too repetitive, and there are also plenty of benches/picnic tables throughout the grounds. We weren't in a hurry and walked around the whole thing in around an hour and a half. We are already planning our next trip to Sonoma and definitely would like to come back when everything is in full bloom!

The staff is very privileged. They try to choose who they want to see this garden and discourage the general public. They charge $12 per person to be here. They treat older adults like they are stupid. Please check your privilege.

We scheduled our way to this garden and drove for an hour only to be disappointed.. When we arrived, from a birds eye view I only could sense this was far from the real definition of a botanical garden.. But at the entrance i kinda gave this place the benefit of the doubt.. It says check in at the gift shop, the shop was small with limited items, the staff was friendly though and that was a + point but we didnt come there for that, we came for the place itself.. She asked us to pay $12/head for the whole visit so we did pay $24... The map she gave us looked quite big so we started walking.. the whole garden was about 2.5 mi.. We saw a small and big pond and was not taken care of, it was quite dirty and muddy... The trees were drying out as well as some few wildflowers but not blooming despite the season.. We reached the top yet we didnt see much of an adventure sight except for the walk... Some signs show warning for rattlesnakes, there was a water in honor of the founder who passed away.. Over all, it was not satisfying and a wow feeling.. Not a botanical, no flowers, full of dry leaves and trees, it was dull and not maintained.. And for a $12 fee per head, i didnt see it worth it.. More of a waste of money.. Sorry but i Do NOT recommend this place.. I also heard few families with kids saying they needed a refund for their wasted money... the land was big and has a lot of potential only if maintained by people with green thumb, but if not, it is sad to see a place this big but not putting too much effort to the interest of visitors... I would say the wineries have more blooming flowers and have nice gardens than this..

I really, really enjoyed this place. I had seen a pamphlet for it during one of my trips to Sonoma and made a point to check it out in April when I had a feeling the garden would be in full bloom. What a nice day I had here!! The surrounding hills were beautiful and what a nice drive to get there via Sonoma Hwy. It was a cloudy day but beautiful, nevertheless. There was fog rolling in over the hills and garden was in full bloom. Loved the lotus pond and small waterfalls. I had other places to be in Sonoma that after and sadly only spent about an hour here. However, I can easily see spending the better part of an entire afternoon there. One tiny complaint, lovely as this place is, $10 per person is a little steep for admission. There is no one collecting a fee-there is a sign sheet and slot to put your money in. I imagine they state $10, because unfortuntately, they have probably had some people who walked in without paying. It's all on the honor system.

A hidden treasure in Glen Ellen. Lots of walking, not a lot of people when we went in early fall. Very natural with many duplicate Asian only species. Will definitely return! This is not a good place for people that have mobility issues, lots of hills. I would recommend for children, as there are fun little paths, bridges and stepping stones.

I've driven past this place many times... finally a visit. Such an excellent botanical garden! The focus is on Asian flora with an impressive selection of deciduous and coniferous trees. If you have ever been to Asia, you may remember a peculiar fragrance when you visited the parks or walked the streets. It was the trees. I wasn't aware of that until we visited the garden and that once familiar smell returned. It is exotic and it smells good! The rare and "near extinct" are clearly marked. Most all plants have metal tags with the botanical names - and the ones that don't - well, look around and you will find its neighbor is tagged. (Looking at these near extinct trees reminds me of ornamentals that I removed from various properties in the South Bay with a chainsaw and a truck. Fast growing weak limbed trees that made a constant mess. Maybe they are near extinction because homeowners find them so annoying. Michael Pollan makes the case that plants survive extinction by making themselves useful - like the corn plant which surely wouldn't have survived and thrived had it not been for its ability to supply us "corn on the cob".) The trails are easily walked, ample benches to sit and reflect - and picnic tables that beg to be enjoyed in secluded and peaceful settings. (Next time I'm bringing a first class lunch!) This is a paradise if you enjoy taking photos. The plants are everywhere exposed to different aspects and diffusion of light. Your walking tour will take about 3 hours depending on how fascinated you are with the garden. One can purchase a family membership to the garden for about $75 which will allow return visits for you and your family at no cost - and you can visit other botanical gardens for free. (The botanical gardens in Mendocino and San Francisco to name two of many.) There are hills of insignificant climbs, but if you are unstable on your feet, bring a walking stick. The staff are attentive - explaining in detail the best walks and giving us a ride in the golf cart to the dropping off point. We met one of the gardeners who was also very friendly. I asked him if he'd ever eaten one of the quinces. He said he had not, but people make jam out of them. He said he had not eaten any of the plants in the garden. I didn't tell him that I ate a wild strawberry I found. Mum's the word.

Wonderful Botanical garden. Under new leadership making it more visitor friendly. Lovely trees and ponds.

Brought my mom here the other day, we had a wonderful time. The turtles have always been a favorite for us.

If you want to take a nice peaceful walk. This is the place to go so peaceful we stumble upon this place by accident all these beautiful spots in Sonoma county that I didn't know existed. I will be back when everything is in bloom. The pictures don't do this place justice.

A non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of local flora & fauna. Docent led tours. The garden is not modeled after highly precise & mathematical European gardens. Much more realistic and demonstrative of the surrounding wild terrain. Go to the website ( http://www.quarryhillbg.org/ ) to see hours, admission price, etc... Worth a 2 hour visit if you're a nature lover.

I bet when things are in full bloom this place is stunning. Yet I found it peaceful and partially a challenge to hike it especially to the Prayer Flags. So worth it even in near 80 degree weather. Bring water!! Anyway I enjoyed my 1.5 mile hike and I didn't see the whole thing but quite a bit of it. It's so beautiful. The Wine Country Fires came dangerously close and even charred about 1/8 of an acre of it. It is a Phoenix rising from the ashes. It has lovely water features and lovely paths. And a fabulous collection of rare Asian flora and trees. It's meant as a conservation area cause Asian areas have near ravaged their countryside. So Ms Davenport saved some!! Good for her. It has been opened 30 years and is so worth the drive from anywhere. It's $12 to get in however if you are a member of other horticultural gardens it's FREE!! Go here it's serene

Such a wonderful hidden gem in wine country! We escaped the heat of the wineries at this little oasis. Specializing in Asian plants the botanical garden sits on 25 acres. The map provided at the visitors center made our self guided tour easy. The paths were clearly marked and easy to navigate, even with sandals on. We visited the prayer flags and took in the stunning view from the top of the property. My husband enjoyed the Ting and admired it's craftsmanship. We spent plenty of time under the shade of the Arbor and enjoyed seeing the water lilies in bloom. This place is a must see while in wine country. Wonderful for adults and kids alike.

I went to this garden years ago and loved to walk in it. Beautiful plants and landscape and easily walkable.

A great casual "hike" with great views, interesting plants, and lots of nature to see. It's $12/pp to enter, and we actually may have been the only ones there today, but we took our time and saw a lot of really beautiful flowers, etc.

Beautiful! Hidden Gem! Easy hiking trails and amazing lush tropical vegetation from various area around the Asian continent. We took our three children, 2, 4, and 7 and they all were able to navigate all of the trails (with a little assistance). We can't wait to go back in the spring when more of the plants are in bloom.

Don't let the entry fee stop you from coming here. I put this off for so long because I was afraid it was going to be a tiny garden from what I saw in the photos. You can get lost along the trails and spend the whole morning or afternoon just wandering. There was a lot of diversity and my friend and I spent our time there photographing and getting video of this beautiful location.

We visited on a day when the weather was absolutely perfect with a slight cloud cover. Bringing a hat and water would've been a good idea. The volunteer at the visitor center was really nice and helpful. This garden is very laid-back and relaxing, not formal at all. We enjoyed meandering through The garden admiring many flowers just starting to bloom. The really offputting thing for me personally was that one of the lakes was covered in a reddish brown algae... Completely covered. I couldn't even bring myself to take a photo of it, it was so ugly. Just my opinion.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden is a beautiful, peaceful place to explore and enjoy a picnic. There are waterfalls, bridges, stone paths, fountains, Lyon statues, pergolas, wildlife, trees and plants that originated from Asia. The grounds are well kept, with Canadian Geese and their goslings enjoying the ponds filled with waterlilies. The cashier in the gift shop was very welcoming and helpful. She informed us of points of interest, which areas are easier to walk/hike and where the restrooms are located. I enjoyed returning to the gift shop after exploring, in order to buy a young plant similar to one I admired in the garden. We will definitely return to Quarryhill Botanical Garden again.

Huge native California plants garden...go in Spring when everything is green and blooming

I had no idea there was a botanical garden, but we were driving by early in the morning and pulled in. A real treat! Subtle at first with lots of Asian trees. Then shifting into wild roses with irises and beautiful streams. Fun for the nature, garden lover looking for a walk:)

Read the reviews. This is not a botanical garden, it's sometimes nice property that they call a garden so they can charge money. There are no amenities and the staff are inattentive. Locals don't go there -it's a tourist trap.

This serene garden is like an island of green plants among California's native golden hills. I visited today less than one month after the devastating wildfires. Quarryhill was surrounded by fire on all sides but survived because of the fact these are not native plants; instead many are wild-source, endangered plants & trees from Japan & China that are used to a lot more rain than we get, thus they are irrigated from underground sprinklers and acted as a firebreak. The fire burned right up to the fence. There are some paths that are steep but most of them are easy and pleasant to walk. I have some disability and had no problem at all. Lovely!

I've been a member now for two years, and my family also has a membership, so we've had ample time to see the garden with enough frequency to see the seasons change in the garden. one of the fun things I've found to do is take the self guided tour to learn the layout of the garden. there are little numbered placards that correspond to a particular plant and there is a little information in the guide pamphlet about it. Recently, to add to the self tour, the garden has a new (to me) guide to some of the conifers they have at the garden. if the regular tour guide pamphlet gives you a meandering all around the garden focus, then it can be said that the conifer guide gives you a walk that takes you both on some of the main paths, but also some of the lesser traveled smaller paths, some of which like the "M" featured plant (the swamp cypress) takes you along a small creek, so you get a chance at a guided tour that doesn't stick just to the main gravel path. combining the two makes for an enjoyable visit, as it's a bit like going on a treasure hunt. some of the trees, for instance, aren't as easy to spot, which is a good thing, as it forces me to review what I know about certain plants, and then go and look. to date, I've found all but 2 of the conifers listed in the guide. due to plant diversity, I've also taken to taking botany books with me from time to time and looking for various plant types to further my own plant education, which I find to be enjoyable. this time of year is actually kind of a treat, as it feels like being in another country and landscape which is cool, despite the lack of blossoming flowers, and feels totally different than during the summer time, and is really peaceful if you just want to go, walk a bit, and sit and listen to the sounds of the creek running by, or nature itself. more amazing still is it's survival of the fires of last year, and I've found it to be a refuge in dealing with the traumatic images of the fires in the area, especially right after the fires, when they were kind enough to open free to the public for the rest of the year. the staff members and gardeners I've met and chatted with are friendly and pretty knowledgeable, and always greet you positively if you happen to run into them. one of the neat things too about this place is that once you get a handle on the basic layout, you can get to various places in the garden within 10-15 minutes, using side paths, and I constantly have found new ways to get to different areas, so I never feel like I've "seen it all" every season definitely has it's own hidden magic, so even if you see the plants in the winter or spring, you'll find different plants or colors during the summer and spring that you wouldn't see during the end of the year. all in all, as far as places to go, I definitely would encourage a visit, and even suggest a membership, as you definitely get your money's worth throughout the year.

Quarryville Botanical Garden is an underrated destination in the Sonoma Valley. It's a short drive from Benziger Winery with its biodynamic vineyards&tram ride, along with Jack London State Park. It's only $10 admission, and the rigorous hike in the Wilderness Garden are worth it. You'll feel the burn, along with fiery ecstasy. There are numerous picnic tables&drinking fountains (that also water the plants) along the way. It's a challenge to go uphill until you reach the Arbor&the tasteful Memorial Fountain. The path to the Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags is a challenge, especially if you end up doing a roundabout. Its payoff is an amazing view of the valley below&Sonoma Mountain. The Upper&Lower Ponds are a place of serenity, with its Japanese moon bridges&a primordial redwood from China. Don't miss the picnic spot tucked in a former quarry pit, illuminated by the midday sun. Near the gift shop there's a beautiful garden of China roses. Quarry hill doesn't duplicate the typical Asian gardens (like the Hakone Estate Garden&Portland's Japanese Garden, or Portland's Lan Hsu Garden) It's about emulating the Asian wilderness, with Empress trees&other rare species. Nirvana in a garden.

The best non-wine and non-food associated destination I found in wine country. Although Quarryhill almost seems ashamed to promote it, the purpose of this place is growing Chinese plants. I'd think this is a unique feature to exploit. The horticulture is mainly trees, so calling it a "botanical garden" is deceptive because it is more like an arboretum. The garden was mostly dormant during March, so it's better to go when plants are in bloom during late spring and summer. I don't know how old Quarryhill is, but it's not densely planted - not that I've been to China so it could be realistically correct. The map of the premises looks large and daunting, but it's walkable in at least one hour. The trails are steep, but wide. There are water faucets throughout the garden. Don't drive your best ride because of the gravel road entrance and parking lot.

I Purchased a groupon for 2 adults, only $10. Two for the price of one! That is how I heard about the garden. I haven't visited any other gardens but I enjoyed my visit here. The employee at the welcome center was very friendly and informative. We were provided with a map of the garden and it included numbers of different trees/plants you could stop and read about. I would defiantly suggest good walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the climate. There are many bees if that is a concern. There are also benches for you to stop and sit or even have a picnic at depending on what you are going to the garden for. Most of the plants and trees were from China, Japan, etc. Going in early August most things were bloomed but not all. I think the garden and all it has to offer is beautiful and worth the visit! A hidden gem in my opinion.

A great place for some exercise and nature. As others have said , there are some steep hills so if you have any mobility issues ask about the accessible trails at the visitor center. The place is not that big so with some rest stops you can make it around in about 2 hours. I was taking photographs and stopped twice just to relax, so I was there 4 hours. Parts of the trails are not shaded, so be sure to bring a hat and wear sun block. There are many benches and picnic tables to stop and relax, sometimes hidden down side paths, so they are worth exploring. I can see how it could be disappointing in the summer when not much is blooming if you're not into rare plants, but even then it is a nice relaxing place to walk off some wine tasting calories. I went in spring and saw lots of things blooming. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens or on the shaded tables near the parking area.

Boy if you want a place to just chill and relax, this is it. Incredible landscape abound, waterfalls, easy walking paths or hidden one's around that you traipse through, waterfalls, ponds and if you strike it lucky - there will be a bench for you to sit and just enjoy. I wish I lived closer as this would be great to just grab your book and read some place. Picnic benches and easy parking.

This really is kind of a secret garden. Even locals have not heard of this beautiful Asian themed Botanical Garden. The place is very easy to get to but easy to pass if you are not paying attention. You drive up a 1 lane entrance to the driveway and follow the signs to a small parking area near some grape vines. Everything is on the honor system here and you pay at a small station in the parking lot and the fun begins. Some maps and brochures are also available there as well for the taking. Spread of 22 acres of land and containing various paths and even a large water feature complete with lotus blossoms you can literally enjoy hours worth of meandering among it's many trails. Also offered are some tables to enjoy a picnic lunch if you are so inclined. A really nice way to spend the day. Sadly they are closed Sundays.

The beautiful plants and flowers are well worth the Groupon I had for a group of four. The paths are gravel and stable but some parts are steep. Beware if you have small children or older members in your group. If you are offered the ride up on the golf cart I suggest you take it to save some energy for your tour.

We definitely had a great time here, even in the Summer when much isn't in bloom. This massive property is gorgeous with lots of trees from China, Japan and other areas of Asia. It's not a small garden, either. There is a map and the property has about 2 miles of garden trails. You'll also see a few sculptures, two beautiful and scenic lakes, and other lovely sites. and even might catch a glimpse of the large family of wild turkeys roaming the property. The gift shop is nice and quaint. There are also picnic tables to eat (bring your own food). We saw a family have a tablecloth, chips, wine and sandwiches which triumphed our fancy Subway. So you could go either way with that. I recommend going in the Spring. Although there are plants that bloom at different times of the year, July probably isn't the best month to make the trip here. It's not a free park. The terrain is fairly simple. Most people can walk it There are a few steep parts, but you can avoid them if needed. The summary of tips: Wear sunblock and bug spray, bring water, bring a picnic, visit in the Spring for your first trip. Wear shoes that can get dirty. Look for a deal on Yipit.