San Diego Botanical Gardens: Everything You Need To Know

Everyone knows that San Diego has some breathtaking beaches. But when you want other scenic varieties to explore, the San Diego Botanic Garden will be an urban oasis you must explore.

The garden used to be called the Quail Botanical Gardens, and it still displays a long history remaining one of the most family-friendly places for you to visit.

About San Diego Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden spans over 37 acres and is a gem on the west coast with different plant varieties, trees, shrubs, flowers, and more. You even have California native plants seen in different exhibits.

Throughout the San Diego Botanic Garden, you can see some spectacular highlights of special events. The Botanical Gardens found in Southern California are made up of 15 regions with many habitats worldwide. You can explore the natural wonderland made for adults and children alike.

Here you can learn about the numerous exhibits displayed throughout the garden to get some plant wisdom. There are also many nearby attractions to explore in Orange County. The oasis offers garden trails with ocean views and 29 theme parks.

So, brace yourself for a magical journey with the special exhibits, open Wednesday (a bit more on that later), the bamboo garden with the largest bamboo collection, majestic palms in the Mediterranean climate landscapes, and so much more.

Things To Know Before Going To San Diego Botanic Garden

Whether you want to explore a desert environment or a herb garden to children’s garden, you can find it in the Quail gardens. But before you head out to this magical place, there are a few things to know.

Hours and Days of Operation

The Botanical Garden is open six days a week from 9 am to 5 pm and is closed on Tuesdays. The garden is open to the public for most holidays but closed on Christmas Day.

Admission to The San Diego Botanic Garden

When visiting the San Diego Botanic Garden, reservations are recommended except visiting the Museums for all-day visitors. Unfortunately, walk-in admission is not a guarantee on high-volume days. Neither do the garden-do-cash transactions.

You can use your printed or mobile ticket at the welcome center when buying online. As a member, you get free admission but need your membership card. The public access for members is free; adults are $18, while military/seniors and students pay $12.

For the youth aged 3 to 17, it costs $10, and children under 3 go in for free. During October, kids 12 and under receive free entry when accompanied by an adult.

Parking at The San Diego Botanic Garden

You will find the main parking lot at the corner of Quail Gardens Drive and Ecke Ranch Road. An adjacent lot is also found at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum, and the parking is free.

Pet Policy

The only animals permitted in the San Diego Botanic Garden are service animals, per the ADA. The animal must have a harness with a leash and be tethered while in public places unless it interferes with the animal’s work.

Photography

Personal photography is allowed, but you need a permit for professional, staged video/film shoots and private functions. The San Diego Botanic Garden is also a drone-free zone.

Plants Inside San Diego Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden has a Mediterranean climate, so you find plants worldwide. Over 5.300 species and varieties, with 300 plants only found in the Quail Botanical Gardens.

Native Plants

You find the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, CA 92024, within miles from the Pacific Coast. There are 11 acres of natural landscaping with restored areas. Some of the most endangered vegetation types are here, like the coastal sage scrub plant and southern maritime chaparral communities.

Rare and Endangered

The Botanic Garden makes it its mission to protect and conserve rare bamboo groves for endangered plants. Here you find rare manzanitas, oaks, cycads, coyote bush to other endangered species.

What’s Inside San Diego Botanic Garden

Once you step inside the San Diego Botanic Garden, you will be inspired by this magical place with theme parks, a glass conservatory, trails, ocean views, and more.

Dickinson Family Education Conservatory

Explore the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory, which is glass-enclosed, providing public educational spaces. Then, take a walk outside to see some rare to endangered cycads, palms, and conifers only seen in fossil records.

Explore the conservatory inside to see six floating plant islands that resemble the movie Avatar. These living plant chandeliers are made of stainless steel and wood. Epiphytic plants occasionally lowered to the floor in these chandeliers to see up close.

Hamilton Children’s Garden

Three of the largest interactive children’s garden is found in the San Diego Botanic Garden, with mountain streams, jungle canopies, and interactive elements to help foster learning. The three children’s gardens are the Hamilton Children’s Garden, Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden, and the Junior Quail Trail.

There is also the Climb Toni’s Tree House and a miniature railroad with model trains found at the Seeds of Wonder. Also, another huge challenge is the balancing logs at the Junior Quail Trail.

Bamboo Garden

At San Diego Botanic Garden, you find the nation’s largest bamboo collection, with over 100 different species to visit. Here San Diego residents and guests can see a bamboo collection from around the world.

Local and Native Gardens

At the local and native gardens, you can learn about the native plants outdoors and the native trails of the local Kumeyaay people. Here you can see the stunning ocean view from the top of the Overlook Tower found in the rare coastal sage scrub to the southern maritime chaparral.

Demonstration Gardens

In the demonstration gardens, you can see desert gardens showcasing drought-tolerant plants with water-saving systems. You can even experience food growing in herb gardens to subtropical fruit and veg gardens. The incredible edible garden is worth exploring.

To learn what plants can help protect your landscaping from fire, ensure that you visit the fire-safe landscaping.

Geographic Gardens With Subtropical Fruit Garden

Next, explore the Mexican Garden with a succulent gardens display and view the ocean on a hillside from the old-world desert gardens with aloes, dragon trees, and more. Then head to the South African Garden with its colorful flora and flowering trees.

The fabulous thing is no matter where you head out, in these hidden gems you can walk from the children’s garden, the largest in the USA, to an undersea succulent garden and tropical rainforest, walk over rope bridges and see restful vistas to lily pads.

Other Things to Do at The San Diego Botanic Garden

The San Diego Botanic Garden is filled with hidden gems, from hearing wind chimes to walking four miles to explore the garden. But there is so much more than just a visit for a few hours in the garden on the west as you can hose special events or take kids to enjoy themselves.

Here are some other things that stand out in this magnificent place.

Private Rentals at The Multi-Purpose Main Hall

Situated in the middle of a tropical rainforest, you have an elegant glass and metal building with a multi-purpose main hall to rent. It is a one-of-a-kind place with plant chandeliers with rare and unusual plants indoors.

These chandeliers can be lowered to view or raised to provide added meeting space. Adjacent to the Main Hall is another breakout space for your intimate meetings. You get internet access, staging, seating, to AV equipment for any corporate function.

Outdoor Amphitheater

The Amphitheater offers tiered seating to seat up to 265 guests. The place is excellent for hosting outdoor events and has a cocktail reception to entertain guests. The place lights up with festoon lighting with heat lamps, added seating, and staging.

Demonstration and Catering Kitchen

You can hose your events and meetings in the Demonstration and Catering Kitchen. Alternatively, you can take cooking classes here or host a farm-style event. You have access to electrical outlets, cupboards, and a refrigerator.