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Comments (199)
I went here in December, the garden was not the best botanical garden I’ve gone, some gardens was closed at that time, but it worths the $15 ticket. It is good for walking and see different types of plants. The staffs were very helpful and nice.
There is lots to see and learn here. There are tons and tons of beautiful plants, exhibits, and views of the Golden Gate down the strawberry canyon. I am looking forward to coming back and getting more subjective with all they have going on.
Wonderful assortment of plants and trees. At the top is a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I would definitely come back again.
Getting here you wind though Berkeley and Wonder if youre going the right way for a while but you are.Perkins a little unusual its a pay kiosk which is fine but you need your license plate number or you cant proceed I dont know if too many people that actually know that so of course everybody was having to get out of line and go back and forth.Once you do that getting in and wandering around easy
All sorts of beautiful and incredible flora, and even some interesting fauna! Geckos, rabbits, dragon flies, cacti, crops, greenhouses, trees, creeks and more! A cornucopia of nature!
Do you know about the redwood forest that’s here? It’s a hidden sanctuary. The Garden itself has so many portals and views and paths. If you need to get into nature, this place is outstanding and full of surprises.
Lovely and well maintained. Had a wonderful Sunday evening. Worth visiting. Will visit again during a different season to see how things change. The idea about plants from around the globe is very interesting. Great place to go for an outdoor date with a lovely girlfriend!
Beautiful, extensive collection of plants from every corner of the world. Very happy to get to see a Welwitschia! There are more varieties of cacti presented here than I imagined existed.
First of all book a ticket online, even if its same day visit, check tickets online, because you may not be able to get in without online reservation.While driving here keep in mind that parking lot across the street from botanical garden entrance, you have to pay for parking there, but amount is small, just need to evaluate and predict how much time you want to spend inside. Parking attendant was really active and helpful, explained all the rules and what to do.And once you in, you will be able to enjoy a lot of different plants and flowers, with really nice trails and half of them in a shade. Its not a crowded place, so you can enjoy the nature and calm, spend some time on a bench or enjoy the views.If you plan to stay for longer time, make sure you have a water with you and some snack if you need one, as there is no food services on site.Enjoy!
After my first visit I knew I needed to invest in a membership! Such a beautiful and diverse garden, with endless paths and trails to explore. This is a fantastic place for birding. One of my favorite experiences has been sitting in the bamboo grove and listening to the eerie song of the Swainson’s thrush.Be sure to make a stop at the redwood grove while you’re there! It’s a wonderful place to just slow down and meditate.Also, the plants they have for sale are very reasonably priced! I haven’t bought one yet but I’m tempted each time I go!
Beautiful space to spend time with nature. The botanical garden has multiple paths and is divided to showcase plants from different regions of the world. Some parts are hilly/steep, so be aware of that, but otherwise this place is a joy to walk around, enjoying the Berkeley weather (which, lets face it, is generally pretty great). Also, they have an area near the entrance to buy some plants, if thats of interest. I recommend reserving admission in advance.
The garden was so vast and held plants from all over the world, It was like going on vacation with the span of a couple minutes. I highly recommend you go with family or a loved ones, since there are so many nice places to sit and take photos.
A very nice nature walk in this actively cared for botanical gardens with plants from around the world at the footsteps of the university of California at Berkeley. Plants are labeled by common and scientific names as well as source country/region. If you are into plants you could spend a day or two here.Make sure you reserve online especially over weekends as it may be fully booked. Parking is $1 per hour and ticket is $15 per adult.
Amazing botanical garden with well-curated gardens as well as more naturalistic hiking trails
Beautiful large garden with a separate area of redwoods that you can enter with a code that is included in the entry fee. Parking is based on your license plate entered into a machine. Theres is a map and very interesting winding paths. Not all the plant signs are in the right spot but it can be figured out. There is a tour using a paper, but that is hard to combine with a regular visit. You seem to need to reserve tickets in advance. There is a qr code but it may be better to do this from home.
The gardens are diverse and full of a plethora of species from across the globe. Take friends, family, or a special someone on a date, and spend a few hours in paradise as you go on a intercontinental journey. I went for the first time yesterday, and I already want to go back.
Spring is a special time to be here, DesertCacti are in bloom and views of other habitats were awe inspiring.
I really enjoyed walking through this large botanical garden! So many interesting plants and flowers to see! Plus an area with benches to sit and relax and enjoy the view. A cute gift shop as well.
One of the best botanical gardens in the bay area! There are so many small trails, paths where you can enjoy trees, forest, flowers. The botanical garden is surrounded by lots of trees, ridges. Like fortress! Bamboo grove, japanese pond are my favorite spots!
One of the best botanical gardens in the state; knowledgeable staff and some really unique selections in their nursury store. Its a hilly walk so bring water and if you have small kids, a carrier will work better than a stroller. They also have great facilities for private events!
A big park with exotic plants. $15 entry fee and $1/h parking is a bit much especially since the tropic house is closed for more than a year already.There are lots of winding paths through the plants where literally every shrub is labeled. Its great for an afternoon or morning going through plants from around the world. The dry horses had dessert plants and there is a carnivorous exhibit as well
Absolutely gorgeous. We got in for free using a membership from a local zoo. The entire family loved the gardens, got some exercise, and left having learned a bit.
Wear comfy shoes because its based on a hillside. The carnivorous plants were a highlight, as were the rare plants. Would definitely visit again.
The garden is still filled with greens during winter. Very relaxing to walk around. Need reservations.
Beautiful and very nice staff! Make sure to bring water though, as on a warm day you’ll sweat a lot. The Japanese pool was especially beautiful and the Chinese herb garden was super interesting. There’s also a great view at one point of the bay when you look out with a bench conveniently positioned there. Great experience!
Highly recommended. Great collection and information on plants and trees. Controlled entry makes it a clean and calm visit. Takes like 5 hrs and you may buy plants too.
The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is an amazing place to visit to get some fresh air, to release your stress and more importantly to appreciate what we normally miss during our normal busy work days!Especially with the pandemic situation now, this place is less crowded. So if you are vaccinated (not required at the garden to enter), this would be a great place to visit if you love the nature and like seeing hundreds of plants. This place has a number of geographical regions with full of plants. I would love to revisit this place again at other seasons.Note 1: While not spendy, parking is not free.Note 2: It may be different for each individual, but it takes about a good two hour tour when you are walking.Note 3: Advance reservation is needed.
Fantastical place filled with amazing plants and beautiful smells. Go here, its amazing!
NOTE: If you are not driving yourself, you do not need to get tickets in advance! So take a Lyft up and back and save yourself the trouble of reservations!Love this place. Its a bit taxing given most of the trails are not flat, but the diversity of species and the unique setting make this a must-visit for anyone who likes gardens.
Found by accident while driving to Cal state Berkeley. Really enjoyed the visit. Interesting and exotic plants from all over the world. It was a nice visit with the family.
I keep coming back again and again, such a beautiful place for a walk, and definitely check out the redwood park, just amazing!
The UC Berkeley botanical gardens are always a lovely place to visit when I’m back in the Bay Area. I really like the way the gardens set up into regions. Definitely plan on spending at least 2-3 hours here to fully enjoy all the gardens have to offer.
Beautiful walk through nature! Expect to spend hours here! They also have since picnic areas for you to hang out. Day I went, two of the greenhouses closed at 4P, which was one hour before closing so go early!
Wow, what a beautiful & enchanted Botanic Garden! Everyone should go, the Rose Garden is stunning, everything is so lovely, the gardeners/ volunteers, do such a fabulous job, my hat if to you!
This is a beautiful and well maintained garden. There are plenty of trails leading you on a journey across the globe. The trails have some easy altitude change and are all gorgeous. Stop and smell the flowers, then but some plants or seeds on your way out.
We love this garden! Its always a delight to spend a day here. The shop is cute and well staffed, and the garden as a whole is incredibly well managed. They have taken so many precautions with Covid as well, and this is one of the few places we go to get away from it all.
Amazing diverse botanical garden with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Most trails are accessible; well-marked. Family-friendly.
Very nice gardens, we were especially impressed by the Monkey Hand Tree, and must have spent at least 40 minutes just there. The hummingbirds, other birds and squirrels also seemed quite fond of it.
One of my favorite places in Berkeley, especially as the weather gets nicer. Parking is a dollar per hour and entrance is free for cal students.I really love how the garden is arranged by continent, so it’s a little like traveling the world in plants. The greenhouses are super cool as well.Be aware that some of the trails are currently closed — but the majority are open.
Nestled in the hillside of Berkeley this botanical garden is a true paradise. The never ending expanse of tall green trees, luscious plants and beautiful scenic views surely soothes ones senses.The garden has a rich collection of plants from every continent /geographical region of the world. Our 5 year old was in awe to see how bananas grow in big bunches on the beautiful banana plants in the tropics area of the garden. We enjoyed walking the beautiful trails in the garden and a our little girl loved running around the big landscape and seeing beautiful fauna like butterflies,dragon flies and bees.The do not miss attractions at the garden are:Garden of Old Roses- from this spot you can have gorgeous views of the Berkeley Marina and the Golden Gate bridge in the background.Mather Redwood Grove- a visit here just brings a sense of calm and tranquility and you just become one with nature among the the tall redwood trees. The entry to this is next to the parking lot. Many first timers miss this is not in the garden area.Glasshouses- a must see display of a wide variety of cacti, ferns and orchids.The first Wednesday of the month is a free day at the garden. There are ample $1 per hour parking spaces right across the garden. The garden has lot of benches and seating areas around too where you can sit down and take a breather or eat food with friends and family.If you want to spend time in the green lap of mother nature and energize yourself then this the place to be - University of California Botanical Gardens at Berkeley.
Excellent hike just nearby to Berkeley!
Excellent outdoor garden walk with a massive collection of species from all over the world. Easily 2 to 3 hours. Bring water and comfortable shoes if you plan on walking the whole garden. There plenty of benches, maps and species name cards. There are also restrooms, picnic tables and a garden shop. Theres even an outdoor redwood theatre where events can be held. Not all species are in blossom at any one time of the year which makes it great for revisits.
Absolute paradise. Dont look at pictures before you visit... wife and I didnt and was so much more then we expected! Absolutely stunning!
Well maintained & pretty garden!
Wow, $15. Youd think the many millions of dollars UC Berkeley has in its endowement and the massive tax breaks it receives from the state would help keep the price reasonable. But everyone in the Bay Area is rich so I guess it doesnt matter. (Great garden though.)
We had the most wonderful experience with everyone here while planning our wedding at the Botanical Garden. We worked mostly with Christine and Andrew, who were always available to answer questions, give a tour, and send photos and recommendations that would be useful to us. Even under high stress of wedding planning, I felt incredibly supported and was always offered solutions to anything we ran into! Everything about our wedding day was wonderful, staff and venue alike! We were married in the redwood grove and the reception was in the Julia Morgan Hall. There were people available on site who were extremely helpful, and it ran smoothly. I really appreciate how they went above and beyond to make sure my day was as best as possible. The photos we got are incredible, and I have such positive memories of this place. We now have a year round pass to the garden, and I cannot wait to go back! Thank you guys!!Priscilla and Nathan
A beautiful botanical garden. Open to the public. Parking is 1$ per hour. Entry fee helps to keep it running. Great exhibits, plants from all over. Huge cacti and succulents gardens. Palms, cycads, native and exotic plants. Dry, tropical and orchid greenhouses. A gem in the hills behind Cal.
I love botanical gardens and this was no disappointment. The only issue is that if there is a Football game its nearly impossible to get there any way besides walking up the hill (read: mountain). The place is massive and incredibly well maintained. Its just such a wonderful way to spend the day. From here you can wonder Berkeley and eat! Really a great place.
Beautiful place with amazing plants. Definitely worth spending half a day here.
Every time I visit I find something new to enjoy. This time I was completely enthralled with the pepper plants still going strong in January! The California species garden is also lovely. I found a bunch of hummingbirds fighting over the same bush, but they moved to fast for pictures.
Great place to see a good variety of plants. Sadly lots of the paths were closed off due to covid.
Always a treat. Good covid protocols. And you can even still buy plants and gifts. Made memories with friends and family all day.
A beautiful fold in the Berkeley hills, known as Strawberry Canyon, holds 32 acres of diverse plants ranging from Mediterranean to desert to tropical climes. Check out the views from the rose garden, on a clear day you can see golden gate Bridge!Sundays at 1.30pm there are free docent-led tours. You wont see all of the garden, but will learn a lot!
It is very well organized, the plants are amazing. There is a never-ending menagerie of bugs and animals that will entertain both you and old.It is way, way bigger than it looks. Be prepared for a long hike. If bringing kids maybe make it a 2 day thing.
Its a good idea to visit this place with whole family. Especially with kids of mid. school age. The place have really good selection of different herbs. Also dont forget to check out the snall redwood forest across the Botanical garden (included in the price of ticket). Totally worth it!
Took my elderly Mom there on a cold windy day and she loved it. We hit up some green houses and there was a long enough paved path that she could navigate with her walker, it was a little steep in places but she was a trooper. Lots of interesting plants there. Would like to take her back on a warmer day in the spring when more Flowers are in bloom. We went on a Monday later in the day and only saw about 3 other people. Nice handicap bathroom with warm water, a plus on a cold day.
Beautiful garden. I was unable to see everything as it was a bit hot today and there are many trails to take. Looking forward to going back.
The greenhouses with dry dessert climate and also tropical rainforests are the stars of the show but make sure to take the time to walk the endless meandering trails through palm trees, oaks and cacti.
This is a beautiful place to connect and learn about nature and plants of all over the world. Great landscapes, quiet trails, impressive collections. I wish I had planned a longer stay... A morning isnt enough. 💚
UCB provides an extensive display of exotic plants from around the world. Setting offers great views of the bay area as well as a peek at the Golden Gate bridge from within the Gardens. At only $12 per adult and dirt cheap parking, the botanical gardens is a quick, easy and enjoyable local getaway for all ages.
Wonderful place to go and prepare to walk . You will see so many types of plants . Its so amazing and my kids had a great time
Plan on spending about 2 hrs here if you want to do all the small trails. Most trails are narrow and uneven, not a place for strollers. Wide variety, great views, restrooms and a little gift shop and lots of benches and places to picnic.
This botanical garden is well maintained and absolutely beautiful. I often take my clients to do family or maternity portraits here because of the diverse settings within and the light during golden hour. A beautiful place to find secluded nooks, unique botanicals, and kind staff. Ill keep coming back and photographing here forever!
Lovely garden for spending at least 1.5 hours wandering among various plant communities plus a couple of specialized greenhouses, a rose garden and small agriculture section. I really loved the Mexican & Guatemalan specimens, the Japanese gardens (with water features and gates) and the amazing cactus collection. Bring a sun hat, because it gets surprisingly sunny and hot in the midday. Also, theres a fun book/gift/plant store, for bringing a slice of the gardens home.
We came on a weekday in February, so we mostly had the place to ourselfs. Even during winter, there were pockets of life along the meandering paths. The greenhouses were warm and welcoming.
It was a great place to relax and enjoy nature. There are tables you can eat under the tree. Would have been easier to navigate if the map contains the bed numbers.
My goodness! I cant have enough of this place. I bought the whole year pass! It is my happy place.
Great place to go with kids! Some exotic plants and local veggies. Everyone can find something exciting for them!
Visited in late fall, but the bay area foliage didnt disappoint!Amazing roses and walkways
Large beautiful garden mostly empty of peopleGo during a holiday or Friday afternoon when there is hardly any other visitors for a quiet serene visit amongst thousands of rare plants.
Botanical Gardens are not my cup of tea, but this place was informative, had thousands of different plants/flowers/tree/etc, and well cared for. I enjoyed the 3 hours we spent there and appreciate the time, money, and effort that must go into taking care of a place like this.
Great collection of cacti. Nice walk through the garden. Great view of the bay in the rose garden.
A treat for plant lovers. A great, fun, stroll for all. Great collection of native plants from California and adjoining areas. The excellent plant store is a fine bonus. A slow stroll here followed by lunch in Berkeley will make a fine day. And you will learn a lot about native flora. No pets. Highly recommended.
We attended a friends wedding inside a redwood forest in the botanical gardens. It was a special feeling, and utterly romantic as well. Unfortunately, we cant walk around due to certain restrictions. But it was such a special place that we will never forget.
Its an amazingly beautiful place--you can tell its gotten a lot of love from many skilled botanists and gardners over the years. Love walking through here on sunny days and spending time meandering from trail to trail. Just go, you wont regret it!
If you are an aspiring botanist or just need a relaxing day out UC Berkeley Botanical Garden will not disappoint. Extremely helpful guest services and curators guide you through a beautiful collection of exotic plants.
Great place. Free for UCB students and staff. Lots to look at and great views. Not the most wheelchair/stroller accessible though. Has tables for picnics. Limited cellular reception.
Natures majesty shines brightly in these man made gardens!!!
Great assortment of plants from the world. Unfortunately many were hibernating/dried. Very peaceful. Can spend all day here.
I first became aware of the garden in my teen years in the 70s and Ive been coming back ever since. The rescue of Julia Morgan hall (formerly Girton hall) from campus adds a lovely event space and a Morgan gem, what a two fer! There are plants from every place in the world to marvel at and enjoy. I will add one photo, something very rare. An example of garden staff saying I dont know and how rare and wonderful when we all have something to wonder about and ponder.
Amazing selection of plants where you can wander around for hours and still not have seen everything. Great place to relax.
This place has a variety of plants and it has many paths to keep you occupied. It has water, a garden shop, and plants to buy. The admission prices were okay. Juniors (7-17) was $7 and adults were $12. Children under 2 are free. The slight problem was that there were tags of a plant but they werent there or couldnt be seen clearly. Parking there is limited so you probably want to get there a bit earlier.
Beautiful and relaxing! Has been there for more than ten times.
A green thumbs paradise! Can also buy plants here. Bathrooms. Ample parking. Guided tours!
Beautiful garden! Many things to explore! I went on a tour and the tour guides were very friendly and informative 👍
Been coming here for ages. Some of my fondest memories as a student are here. What a collection! Spend some real time touring representative collections from around the world, including tropical and desert plants indoors.
Awesome place to learn about plants. A large variety of endangered species are found here. It is a very calming place, you can have free guided tours too at times.
Where do I even begin? Ive enjoyed so many hours here strolling from continent to continent :-), picnicking, relishing the birdsong and the fragrances. So happy to be a member here.
One of our top five places in Berkeley. We went back 3 times in a week to feel more alive amongst the winding trails of delightful mature plants.
One of the best botanical gardens in the world, dont try to see everything in one day - your eyes will get saturated with beauty. The gardens are arranged by region and ecosystem, a botanist will enjoy the landscaping and soil science as much as the diversity of plants. Dont forget to buy a little green friend to take home with you, proceeds go to the garden itself!
I want to die here. The entry fee is $10 and believe me it is worth it! My only tip is to get here early because if you want to see everything you need several hours to dedicate to marveling at all of these sweet, sweet plants.
Magical place, full of plants from around the world, in a beautiful setting overlooking the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Bring the kids - they will love exploring all the meandering pathways. Friendly staff, ample parking, and great location right behind the UC Berkeley campus. Plan to spend 2-3 leisurely hours and then drive over to some of the great Berkeley restaurants near the campus.
Huge garden with plants separated by geographical origin. It was pleasant to experience, might be nice to bring a book and a warm bevarage in a thermos and spend a significant part of the day here.
You must visit this place if you come to Berkeley. Their collection of plants are very diverse and beautiful.
Really great botanical garden with magical views of surrounding hills. See new bees exhibit and dont miss the cacti!
Nice selection of plants at the gift shop. Wish there were more carnivorous plants
Went to an awesome even event here and it couldnt have been more perfect. The staff at the garden were helpful in preparation and patient with requests. The event was just perfect. The gardens arnt too bad either 😉 Will absolutely be back.
A hidden treasure for anyone remotely interested in plants or nature. Easily spent 2 hrs here though we didn’t explore everything. Plants are amazing!
Very beautiful, I will def. Go again with the intent to spend more time and really appreciate all of what is there. 1 hour is not close to enough If youd like to take in everything.
Love this place. Go there during late summer time. See pictures attached.
My favorite botanical garden in the bay area! So much to explore and a really well organized garden. Love seeing the rose garden in early spring!
We had a fun afternoon...there were well mapped out areas based on plant types and topographic zones... It was very helpful that many of the plantings and trees were labeled... Enjoyable and educational
Ignore my star rating, this is just to get your attention before heading there without reservation. You need a reservation to get in and that was my mistake, drive an hour, paid for parking and got turned away. But what was more disappointing was how it was explained to me at the ticket office. They are doing them reservation because they don’t have enough parking space so it was intended for reserved guests. They should have put a sign at the parking ticket booth that reservations are required so you don’t have to pay hours of parking only to realize that you’re not welcome. We stayed at the lot for 30min and noticed that there were a lot of people leaving the garden and the lot was never full yet they stressed that they could not give any exemptions to the rule.
Hundreds and thousands of species of plants! The cactus and succulent garden areas are beautiful all year round! was exciting to spot the newts and salamanders in the lily pond. Wish it was free for entry, but worth the $15 entrance fee.
Beautiful garden featuring one of the bay areas best collection of low water plants. Great for kids. Be sure to check out the carnivorous plant greenhouse, the pond (in the spring it contains a large newt population), and the aloe garden.
Nice garden with amazing collection of the plants from all over the world.
A really great place to wander for the sake of enjoying a stunning array of plants and flowers. Kinda pricey for a brief visit so come when you have time to linger.
This botanical garden is huge and beautiful. I only wish it were a little easier to get to.
Wonderful place for expend a day. The garden have a great colección of plants from all over the world organized according to the region of origine. All plants and trees are in good condition and clearly labeled with common and scientific names, and each area have informative panels helping us to understand the collection. Don’t miss the wonderful view from the rose garden (between mediterranean and south american gardens) and the bird observation deck in the California area.
Beautiful plants from around the world! Relocated Julia Morgan building open!
A few buildings still closed (Tropical House as of 6/21/21) but almost everything is open and accessible. Huge, beautiful place with all kinds of plants from different regions. Plan to spend several hours if you want to see everything!
Beautiful!! Geographically organized. Fascinating. Great information.3 yr old and 8 yr old loved hiking the gardens. Rest areas throughout. Some small hills and stairs. Nice gift shop too!
What a exceptional and rare experience..just an amazing feat of beauty; over the top; kudos to the staff and volunteers! A must visit!!
This is where I go for solace and refuge. Perfectly tended gardens, arranged by region (california woodlands, redwoods, bamboo grove, high desert, etc), with just enough seating and picnic spots for resting without feeling like a park. The place has an atmosphere of quiet and tranquility no matter how many guests are actually in the gardens.
Excellent selection of distinct international plants and environments, pay for parking which is short walk, pay for entrance, lots of small paths to explore, not crowded for us.
Beautiful place for a casual walk, or a restful recharge, or the in-depth study of horticulture. The Botanical Gardens are carefully laid out geographically by plant region allow you to tour from Eastern US to California Natives in a few steps. I stopped at the gift shop for some unique take homes - dont tell my Mom until after Mothers Day!
Beautiful botanical garden. I highly recommend becoming a member as you are granted reciprocal benefits to other gardens and museums.
Beautiful place. Went with our small grandkids who have been many times. Lots of hills but lots of benches when you need one. Beautiful view of the bay & SF.
This place was a jewel tucked away up in the Berkeley hills. So many choices - each pathway took you into an entirely different eco-system, based on geography. I felt like I was in the jungle one minute, then a tropical rain forest the next. I wouldnt visit Berkeley without including the Botanical Gardens on your itinerary.
Interesting and well documented , botanical garden with many species from California.
Small but quiet and soothing place. Dont miss the Asia section.
A rich collection of cactus. Be carefull dont fall down in desert area...full of needless around...
A really beautiful place to visit or bring guests from out of town.
Beautiful to visit when its raining
This is an awesome place of peace and quiet with some amazing specimens you won’t get to see anywhere else. The botanical garden is designed in a way where you’re coming from the blazing sun and heat into an unexpected and beautiful oasis of cool by the water and can relax an contemplate there. Would definitely go back!
Berkeley Gardens were amazing and relaxingWith lots of information offered.
An amazing botanical garden located on a beautiful hillside. The garden exhibits many different species of plants from all over the world, with representation from all the inhabited continents. There is even a small section of the garden just for Chinese medicinal herbs. There is exceptional species diversity in the garden due to the unique Californian microclimate, cacti and water lilies are growing within 50 feet of each other. There is ample parking at a lot next to the garden as well, for a reasonable rate of $1 per hour.
World class exhibition of the glorious diversity of botany. Watch for mountain lions early and late...
- Short drive from UC Berkeley- Super friendly and helpful staff- Beautiful park with unique plants from different regions. My favorites are Asia and Mexico! The Japanese garden is so serene and peaceful- Takes about 2.5 hours to see most of the park if you dont take any breaks (you could easily spend the whole day there)- Love the little hiking trails- Free entry to the Redwood Grove (you need to get a code from the staff)- Reservation required- Parking is $1/hour- Dogs are not allowed
Excellent botanic garden with diverse, well-labeled collection of unique and purty plants.
Not the biggest garden Ive been to but its very nice and well thought out. I liked how all the sections had their own distinct vibe. A great place to spend a few hours walking around and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Nice way to spend a couple of hours taking in the views and aromas.
I have heard nothing but good things about the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens and they live up their reputation! This place is huge and well maintained. A great place to walk around or sit an enjoy the scenery.
Perhaps its the season or the drought or funding/staffing cuts or the effects of the covid shut down, but the garden is in a sad state.It is somewhat educational but not beautiful or meditative or awe inspiring. Great place for kids to run around, great to be outdoors although you do need to wear a mask all the time. Fee to enter; fee to park.
Beautiful garden with sections of plants from around the world.
Amazing collection! Go with a macro lens and youll be busy for a while!
Wonderful botanical garden! There are tremendous varieties of plants, flowers and some amazing trees from around the world! The gift shop is a lot of fun as well!
Go if youre a Cal student or employee, wish I did when i went to school there, but not really worth the $15 for everyone else. Collection was mediocre, but staff was incredibly friendly. Lots of hills naturally.
Beautiful day out! Dont forget to bring sunscreen and water, though there are cold drinks in the gift shop.
Fabulous place to visit! So well laid out with just about every plant clearly labeled. Especially amazing was the Chinese Traditional Medicine garden where the plants are labeled with Chinese, Pinyin, English common name, scientific name, and the medical conditions for which its used. Fascinating! Wear comfy shoes, a sunhat, and bring water. The garden is best done over a few visits since its impossible to see everything in one day. There is a dedicated parking lot for the garden for $1 per hour. Well worth multiple visits!
Nice topography with views of the bay and the Golden Gate.
Magnificent botanical garden. Well organized, very prestiged, historic relevance.
Although the location is currently reservation only, it really allows for fewer people to be in the garden at a time and it is easier to socially distance during these covid times. The garden is still beautiful and the Japanese maples have changed to an amazing orange for autumn. Some plants are even still blooming this time of year.
So many gorgeous plants. Large and sprawling and you can wander around for quite a while. Id say bring a picnic and hangout a while.
Interesting and beautiful garden on a hill side above the university.
Went for the first time today. This place is awesome with a large variety of plants from around the world. Spent 3 hours there and didn’t even make it through the entire park. My favorite part was the desert area. 🌵
Beautiful array to plants, makes you feel like you have hiked the world!
It is best to visit on spring and summer. You can some fall colors right now. Most of the flowers have dried out. The guided tours dont happen anymore due to Covid. There is a scenic lake/pond which is must go. Rest all is pretty ok from tourist standpoint. However, if you are from this field than the review will be different. There is a shop with plants for sale but I thought it was a bit pricey.
Such variety of plants form all over the world
So beautiful! It’s not stroller-friendly throughout but there’s still quite a bit you can see on the accessible paths. Loved the diversity of plant life outside and in the greenhouses and the beauty of the presentation. There are lots of little side trails that go off into the vegetation that I’ll try next time!
Beautiful! Very big, they have 3 different kinds of paths, the main one is paved, stroller friendly and very sunny, the other 2 are too narrow for strollers and wheelchairs and have stairs, they are more shaded and are more beautiful than the main path. Wonderful variety of plants and trees. Appreciated the numerous benches to admire the beauty of nature and relax.
Great discovery!!! I was originally came to see Berkeley photography exhibition with my local friends, however we found it was a quite small one. guess how long we stayed there? 10 minutes, no exaggerate! And then we drove downhill and surprisingly found this botanical garden. A lot of amazing plants to see. It was divided into different area, the Asian plants are distinguish by China, Japan and Korean. And there was a very small green house for tropical plants which to live in very humid condition. Anyway, very interesting to visit!!
I enjoyed this botanical garden. Although this isnt a huge garden it still has a cute variety of various plants species from across the continents around the world. I came on the first Wednesday of the month which is complementary admission so that was an extra perk. The parking has a dollar fee per hour but I didnt think the parking fee was too steep for the location its in.
Great docent tour for the classes of 67/68.
Lots of things flowering. Really beautiful.
Beautiful garden
I loved looking at all of the different flora in the vast garden wonderland. I was simply amazed at all of the unusual species of plants, flowers, and trees in the area. Everything was breathtaking, and I only wish that they were open later. I guess theyre only open during daylight hours for safety reasons. There is so much to see that I recommend one arrives as early as possible to be able to take in as much beauty as time will allow. A must-see if youre in the vicinity!
Such a myriad amount of plants from all over the world! Its a hike with a view kind of place
Hidden jam of Berckely! We always love going there. It gets crowded afternoon and parking becomes challenging.
There are tons of plants to see and a lot mpre to learn. The entrace fee is reasonable and the place is well maintained. This place is great if you love taking walks because there is minimal noise and a lot to see along the way. You do not need to reserve but be aware of limited parking especially in the afternoon.
Beautiful and huge collection of exotics plants
Have loves this place for years. And recently I got married in the redwood forest and I couldnt have loved it any more. Was an amazing wedding and is an amazing place I will continue to go there every year as its always changing. And I look forward to my children enjoying this place as much as I have.
My family stopped by on a whim because we had to fly back to NYC the same day and didnt have much time to do anything else. Its small compared to other botanical gardens but that didnt matter. We are all so happy we did. The place is beautiful and peaceful. On our last day we all really felt a sense of serenity we hadnt during our entire vacation.I definitely recommend this place wholeheartedly.
Absolutely beautiful collection. Staff is very sweet and the planning and upkeep of the gardens are impeccable. Definitely recommend taking the time to visit!
The garden has a number of trails - some trails that are an easy walk and some that go up hills and in and around the plants. You could spend quite some time in this garden if you try to go on every trail. The garden has plants from a variety of places, nicely arranged. It also has a vegetable garden which will likely be quite interesting for young kids. In some areas, you get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. We visited the garden in January with not much blooming and it was still very interesting. I look forward to going back in the spring when the roses and other flowers are in full bloom.
The place is located on the top of hills adding beauty to an already great botanical garden. You can even see the Golden Gate bridge far away in the horizon. As for the garden itself, it covers numerous plants and trees from Asia, Australia, North/Central America, Europe, California and others.There are more than 2 enclosed / temperature controlled greenhouses as well. If you love plants/nature, you will most likely love this place! There are stairs everywhere, since the garden is spread across several layers and elevated lands.
The garden is seriously beautiful and it is an awesome place to take photos. There is so much to look at. The one thing I would say it’s not the easiest place to push a wheelchair or a stroller (it is possible, just difficult). I would definitely recommend though if you want to look at some gorgeous plants from different parts of the world.
Amazing, beautiful, peaceful, wonderful, educational. This garden is snuggled on top of an enormous mountain overlooking parts of Oakland, and the San Francisco Bay. The specific houses for the plants were well placed and easy to find. The gift shop was cute and full of goodies. If youre thinking of stopping by bring your family and bring snacks. Amazing. Loved it .
A very good variety of plants and lots to see and learn. Great views out over the bay on a clear day. I particularly liked the channel islands section. Great to walk around and to find hidden paths and areas. It is hilly and not flat. Both times Ive visited there has been a healthy section of plants for sale too.
This place is great as a garden, but poor at educating about plants. Honestly I learned very little after walking out of the garden. I expected this place to be like a tourism destination and an art museum, but it really is not. Basic facilities like restrooms need a lot of improvement, and more road signs with details should be installed, as it is difficult to figure out ones location in the garden. Also, there should be more descriptive texts about plants, at least some important plants, in addition to the boards for a type of plants.
There are days when 10 minutes at the Japanese pool would soothe my soul and restore my frazzled nerves more than any meds. Not to mention the balm of the cool, oxygen-rich air in my lungs. But others may long to stand awhile amid the vegetation of their far-off homeland, be it Australia, South Africa, a lush tropical place or a European rose garden. Or go just to get an idea of just how big that little succulent you picked up at the Hort could get of you dont water it to death first. There something for just about everyone and your entrance fee supports a good cause.
My husband and I had our wedding ceremony in the Mather Redwood Grove on August 11, 2018. The grove is absolutely breathtaking! This is the perfect spot for a wedding ceremony--its private, peaceful, quiet, and the amphitheater is completely surrounded by beautiful redwoods. As soon as we visited for the first time, we knew instantly this was our place. The staff at the gardens were friendly and easy to work with as well. I highly recommend this venue to nature lovers!
The gardens are beautiful. Its peaceful and enjoyable to walk around. We love brining our kids but it is not suitable for any kind of stoller. The volunteers are helpful and the information provided is informative. Lovely place for a day trip.
Beautiful, peaceful place to learn about local and exotic plants. Occasional program where you can bring in bits of sick plants (in sealed bags!) for diagnosis and treatment advice is a great free service. The Christmas pop-up shop always helps us complete our gift shopping.
Bring your hiking boots. This botanical garden reminds me greatly of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens in that its set into a canyon with lots of hillsides and steps. There is a main paved path but youll really want to follow the other paths up and down the hillsides - its quite a workout!The greenhouse has a functioning beehive, which is very interesting to look at. The queen wasnt in evidence but the notes on the side from the resident bee expert were that she was laying eggs.This garden is much more rustic than the more carefully manicured San Francisco Botanical Gardens, which I visited this morning. Two very different experiences but equally worthy.
Loved it. Plants and trees from all over the globe.
A treasure for exploring biodiversity, and walking too.
The garden has an outdoors amphitheater which is a romance location for wedding ceremony. Gorgeous scenery !
Gorgeous grounds! Truly enjoyed the walking paths!
We took the docent tour which takes 90 minutes. Our docent was generally knowledgeable and interesting although a bit quirky. Our group had a real mix of interest and some limited attention spans. The garden is huge so even after 90 minutes we had hardly scraped the surface. Make sure to visit the redwood grove off the parking area! Your ticket includes it but you need to look for the code to get in the gate. Although the gardens look good in December, I expect they would look even better at other times of the year.
Didnt go when plants wasnt in full bloom, but just caught it at the end, and it was still gorgeous.
We took the docent tour which takes 90 minutes. Our docent was generally knowledgeable and interesting although a bit quirky. Our group had a real mix of interest and some limited attention spans. The garden is huge so even after 90 minutes we had hardly scraped the surface. Make sure to visit the redwood grove off the parking area! Your ticket includes it but you need to look for the code to get in the gate. Although the gardens look good in December, I expect they would look even better at other times of the year.
Wandering the leafy paths lined with living curiosities is pure tranquility!The gardens are replete with birds, newts, ponds, streams, all manner of trees, shrubs, vines, and some grand views with benches for restful contemplation. The very welcoming vibe isnt marred by too much educational structure. Guests are mostly left to themselves, with the option of joining regular guided tours.
Well maintained and extensive collection of plants from around the world. One could easily spend three or four hours wandering the gardens. Awesome succulent greenhouse. When we went they had a few plants for sale, too. Worth the entrance fee.
Awesome park to hike in and see a wide variety of plants. Some paths offer a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the valley below. Definitely a good place to spend a morning or afternoon.
Pretty amazing place to wander and learn.
Truly a gem on the UC Berkeley campus. This garden is well thought out and a pleasure to stroll about and enjoy the plants. They have done a great job of identifying the plants . If there are plants that are not clearly mark the staff and docents are there to answer any questions. The website states that most visitors spend about two hours, however I was there for two and only managed to cover about a third of the garden. Well worth a visit.
Great place to wander. Really well kept. Entrance fee was 10.00 each plus $1.00 / hr parking right across the street. The Fe ealso gets you into the relatively unknown and unused Redwood Grove across the street. THAT is a real peaceful and lush walk under the redwoods... Ask for the Code to the gate when you go into the Botanical Gardens.Great view of the bay from the Garden too. If you like succulents this is your place...
Very relaxing place to visit. I went for a college field trip so I had a better more in depth experience than the average visitor but Id still go again.Lots of different plants that appear to be well taken care of. My favorites are the tropical and carnivorous plants!
4.8 (199 comments)
Review №1
2022-06-30We loved it here! Make sure you have plenty of time to walk around. Some botanical gardens are more of a park but this is definitely more of a hike through most of the sections. Some of the paths are rocky and steep so if walking is harder for you, some places might be inaccessible. Overall, amazing and large garden with a super nice staff.
Review №2
2022-06-09Amazing place to visit if you’re looking to learn more about plants from around the world. Loved the separation of all the plants and clearly labeled. The stroll will definitely be fun if you’re planning on spending all day here so bring your hiking shoes!
Review №3
2022-02-12Great day to spend the day out and learning about nature. The volunteers and staff are so knowledgeable about the gardens! It was such a great experience running into them and learning great stories of how plants are acquired and brought into the gardens.
Review №4
2022-05-08The garden is beautiful, but very small. $15 is quite expensive, if you are used to free entrance to botanical gardens in Europe. Be careful the garden is almost impossible to reach by foot (there is no sidewalk along the street, such a shame). If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon this place is worth a visit.
Review №5
2021-09-10We didn’t book online before we came and had no problem getting in. Beautiful gardens, well maintained and very well curated. Loved that the majority of plants were labelled. Great views across the bay and beyond. Highly recommend here if your into cacti, ferns and succulents! Its also a lovely place for a walk and a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Nice little shop too.
Review №6
2021-11-29Absolutely phenomenal place! Completely worth the $15/person admission fee. It was unclear if reservations were required, but the woman at the entrance thanked us for reserving ahead of time. Even if you reserve a spot literally 20 min before you go, I believe they prefer that.We figured 2 hours would be more than enough time to see everything, but it felt like we barely scratched the surface! Were so looking forward to coming back in the different seasons to see how everything looks.
Review №7
2022-04-25Beautiful gardens and friendly staff! The cacti and succulent greenhouse is incredible with great, digestible information on the specimens and origin habitats. Such interesting specimens - living rocks?! So many things in bloom in the impressive Deserts of the Americas area. Beautiful cacti. And it was mind-boggling to see the puyas in bloom!
Review №8
2022-05-25As always, beautiful. Every season something is in bloom. Much cooler in the hot months than the east bay and lots of places to sit fown and relax in the shade. Many trails are not friendly to strollers or wheelchairs.
Review №9
2022-05-08Beautiful and peaceful, many unusual and interesting plants. The Japanese pool has cute salamanders. The rose garden smells incredible.
Review №10
2021-12-25Best Botanical Garden in the Bay Area, worth the $15 entrance fee. Unique plants, lovely views, great shop.Skip the one in SFs Golden Gate Park and in Tilden Park and come here instead