Top botanical gardens
Botanical GardenThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Botanical GardenSan Francisco Botanical Garden
Botanical GardenSeaWorld San Diego
Botanical GardenLos Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
Botanical GardenSanta Barbara Botanic Garden
Botanical GardenLiving Desert Zoo and Gardens
Botanical GardenMildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Botanical GardenThe Japanese Garden
Botanical GardenConservatory of Flowers
Botanical GardenDescanso Gardens
Botanical GardenDesert Garden Conservatory
Botanical GardenLotusland
Botanical Gardens by county
- Alameda County3
- Contra Costa County5
- Los Angeles County14
- Orange County3
- Riverside County4
- Sacramento County3
- San Diego County5
- San Mateo County3
- Santa Clara County3
- Shasta County3
All botanical gardens (64)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | Los Angeles County | 215 m | San Marino | 9 |
| San Francisco Botanical Garden | City and County of San Francisco | 81 m | Parkside | 8 |
| SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego County | — | San Diego | 7 |
| Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden | Los Angeles County | 158 m | Arcadia | 9 |
| Santa Barbara Botanic Garden | Santa Barbara County | 227 m | Mission Canyon | 7 |
| Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | Riverside County | — | Palm Desert | 7 |
| Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden | Los Angeles County | 120 m | Westwood | 9 |
| The Japanese Garden | Los Angeles County | 216 m | Van Nuys | 9 |
| Conservatory of Flowers | City and County of San Francisco | — | Noe Valley | 8 |
| Descanso Gardens | Los Angeles County | — | La Cañada Flintridge | 8 |
| Desert Garden Conservatory | Los Angeles County | — | San Marino | 9 |
| Lotusland | Santa Barbara County | — | Montecito | 7 |
| California Botanic Garden | Los Angeles County | — | Claremont | 8 |
| University of California Botanical Garden | Alameda County | — | Berkeley | 8 |
| Sherman Library and Gardens | Orange County | — | San Joaquin Hills | 8 |
| Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve | Contra Costa County | — | Orinda | 8 |
| Arizona Cactus Garden | San Mateo County | — | Stanford | 8 |
| Fullerton Arboretum | Orange County | — | Placentia | 9 |
| Ruth Bancroft Garden | Contra Costa County | — | Waldon | 8 |
| Hakone Gardens | Santa Clara County | — | Saratoga | 7 |
| Turtle Bay Exploration Park | Shasta County | — | Redding | 7 |
| Huntington Desert Garden | Los Angeles County | — | San Marino | 9 |
| San Diego Botanic Garden | San Diego County | — | Encinitas | 7 |
| South Coast Botanic Garden | Los Angeles County | — | Rolling Hills Estates | 8 |
| Conejo Valley Botanical Garden | Ventura County | — | Thousand Oaks | 7 |
| Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens | Shasta County | — | Dunsmuir | 2 |
| Alta Vista Gardens | San Diego County | — | Vista | 8 |
| Arboretum at the University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | — | Santa Cruz | 7 |
| Balboa Park Gardens | San Diego County | — | San Diego | 7 |
| Blake Garden | Contra Costa County | — | Kensington | 8 |
| Luther Burbank Home and Gardens | Sonoma County | — | Santa Rosa | 7 |
| Markham Regional Arboretum | Contra Costa County | — | Concord | 8 |
| Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens | Mendocino County | — | Fort Bragg | 4 |
| Humboldt Botanical Gardens | Humboldt County | — | Humboldt Hill | 5 |
| Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Hermitage and Meditation Gardens | San Diego County | — | Encinitas | 7 |
| Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park | Los Angeles County | — | Altadena | 8 |
| Guadalupe River Park & Gardens | Santa Clara County | — | San Jose | 8 |
| Stanford University Arboretum | San Mateo County | — | Stanford | 8 |
| University of California, Irvine Arboretum | Orange County | — | University Town Center | 9 |
| University Arboretum at California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento County | — | Fruitridge Pocket | 8 |
| University of California, Davis, Arboretum and Public Garden | Yolo County | — | Davis | 7 |
| Virginia Robinson Gardens | Los Angeles County | — | Beverly Hills | 9 |
| Wrigley Botanical Gardens | Los Angeles County | — | Avalon | 5 |
| Leaning Pine Arboretum | San Luis Obispo County | — | San Luis Obispo | 7 |
| Sonoma Botanical Garden | Sonoma County | — | Eldridge | 5 |
| Regional Parks Botanic Garden | Alameda County | — | Berkeley | 8 |
| San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden | San Luis Obispo County | — | San Luis Obispo | 5 |
| San Mateo Arboretum | San Mateo County | — | San Mateo | 8 |
| California State University Northridge Botanic Garden | Los Angeles County | — | Northridge | 9 |
| Eddy Arboretum | El Dorado County | — | Placerville | 6 |
| University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens | Riverside County | — | Highgrove | 7 |
| Labadie Arboretum | Alameda County | — | Moraga | 7 |
| M. Young Botanic Garden | Fresno County | — | Kerman | 6 |
| Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium | Riverside County | — | Palm Springs | 7 |
| McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens | Shasta County | — | Redding | 7 |
| Japanese Friendship Garden | Santa Clara County | — | San Jose | 7 |
| Edgewood Botanic GardenMuir Woods | Marin County | — | Mill Valley | 7 |
| Gardens at Heather Farm | Contra Costa County | — | Waldon | 8 |
| College of the Desert Arboretum | Riverside County | — | Palm Desert | 7 |
| Rusch Botanical Gardens | Sacramento County | — | Citrus Heights | 9 |
| Jensen Botanical Gardens | Sacramento County | — | Carmichael | 8 |
| Gardens of the World | Ventura County | — | Thousand Oaks | 7 |
| Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden | Los Angeles County | — | Rossmoor | 8 |
| John R. Rodman Arboretum | San Bernardino County | — | Claremont | 8 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph botanical gardens
Gardens are best on bright overcast days or early mornings when dew is fresh and the wind is calm.
- A macro lens or close-up filter opens a world of detail — try a shallow aperture against a soft background.
- Many gardens restrict tripods or charge for photography; check the rules before you go.
- Backlit petals glow; position yourself so the sun is behind the flower.
- Seasonal exhibits (orchids, tulips, cherry blossoms) draw crowds — arrive at opening.
- Kaleidoscopic and abstract images are great for flower close-ups — try the online kaleidoscope tool.
Season: Spring bulbs and blossoms, summer perennials and autumn color; glasshouses offer winter subjects.