Nice place for a stroll. It's no LA Arboretum but this 26-acre garden is free and more of an arboretum on a college campus than a standalone. I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen for awhile and it was the perfect place to catch up during a walk around of the garden. I loved the pond with the lily pads and turtles, and the Heritage House surrounded by orange trees and roses. I was impressed by the amount of orange trees. It reminds you of why they call it Orange County. If I went to school here I'd be here probably once a week. Otherwise it's great to come if you live in the OC. read more

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Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a free attraction at Cal State University Fullerton. I'm not sure about the weekdays, but my boyfriend and I came during the weekend and parking was free when we went to pay at the ticket stations. Yay! From the parking lot it was easy to follow the signs along to the garden. The garden had areas that represented Woodlands, Mediterranean, Dessert, and a Cultivated Collection. There were walking paths but I still recommend closed toed shoes since it's a bit sandy. They had many benches throughout for resting or handing out and admiring nature. We spent about an hour here, but to be fair I'm not that into nature. I GOT A BUG BITE and it swelled and was super itchy. Sigh. I think someone who super loved nature or wanted to take their time to hang out could take 2-3 admiring all the plant life. My FAVORITE moments here was when we came across wildlife. My favorite were the rabbit, turtle, and crane. It's beautiful. Great spot to get some steps in and absorb some sunlight. read more

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Another great visit on a very hot Easter Sunday! Great place to touch grass and had free parking! read more

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It's been several years since I've been here and I'm very pleased by all the work they've done here. They have people in the front in case you want to purchase flowers or fruit or have general questions. They used to suggest donations but now they charge by the hour. You pay online and I believe it's about $2-$4 per hour. The whole walk is very serene and relaxing. It's a great way to touch grass and just slow down from every day busy life. We saw birds, butterflies, turtles, fish, squirrels, lizards, bees and rabbits. They have benches to sit on, small waterfalls, grassy areas and trails. They grow fruit there but it's not for consumption. They also have a compost area. It's a great place for anyone that loves nature. Highly suggest it. read more

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Beautiful scenery and place to walk through! Plenty of benches to also sit and relax. Lots of fun wildlife for kids to interact with (turtles, fish, etc) read more

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The parking was a little confusing, they seem to have a private parking lot for the Arboretum visitors, but there was a sign stating 'Lot Closed' during normal operating hours. Parked across in the larger lot and paid $12, the only nearby available parking for the campus visitors. Otherwise, it was a great place to let my toddler adventure. He was so happy to explore the Children's Garden, we loved the variation of ecosystems, he especially loved the slow streams and the ponds. Awesome, quiet, tranquil place to spend a few hours. There is a gender separate bathroom available on site. The place is accessible by wheelchair and stroller friendly. read more

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Definitely something to see and do when visiting Fullerton if you want and outdoor experience and to be on the college campus. I think parking was $4 for 1 hour on a Saturday. The Arboretum is free but suggested $5 donation. Not really worth it in my opinion. But I am spoiled having been to much bigger, better, nice arboretum and botanical gardens. The whole thing can be walked through rapidly in about 30 minutes. It is not large. There are a few sections, and they have different flora. Maybe at other times of the year when more stuff is blooming it would be better to visit than early Nov. There was some kind of plant sale going on, so probably more crowded than normal, and it was not peaceful nor serene as others mentioned. It was ok, but I have seen better. Photos attached. read more

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Wow! What a beautiful botanical garden and arboretum! I needed a place to just walk after work to distress myself. This was definitely the place to visit. It's located on the CSU Fullerton campus. 26 acres of just a peaceful serene oasis. There are benches located throughout the trails. Huge trees: redwoods, conifers, and deciduous trees. So there is shade throughout the arboretum. There is a creek, pond and a lake. There is a house there to tour but it's currently under renovation. The arboretum is free to visit but closes daily at 4:00p.m. There is parking dedicated to the arboretum but it's not free. Please come and spend a day at the Fullerton Arboretum. I went by myself but I saw couples, families and friends just hanging out. read more

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Fullerton, CA It's been quite a while since I visited this property and on a return last week I would have to say it's so much smaller than other gardens I have visited since. Parking is no longer complimentary which is a huge bummer, I believe it is $4 per hour. The garden entrance is under construction right now so the main entrance is not accessible which really takes away from the first look at garden. It was nice to be back but with the new parking charge this garden would not be my first choice to return to. read more

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Located on Cal State Fullerton compass is this massive arboretum. Parking on school lot cost $4 an hour. Entrance fee is a suggested donation price of $5 per person. Lots of trees, plants, flowers. You could literally spend all day at this peaceful garden but it was raining so we never made it half way through. Will need to return another day when it's sunny. read more

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Nice Arboretum, surprisingly large and I love the multiple paths you can take get to different areas. You pay for parking via an app though when we went it seemed like a lot of people were not paying. Opened in 1976, its been a Fullerton staple for awhile, the day we went there was a large group of amateur photographers with their tripods snapping photos in different areas. This is a great place for nature photography. The Arboretum's many paths wind through four major areas: Cultivated, Woodlands, Mediterranean and Desert Collections. We just came back from Joshua Tree but still loved the desert collection the most. The kids enjoyed the large pond at the beginning, there is a large turtle and duck population that intermingle with each other. You may also find birds catching fish from out of the waters. Some of the trees are also covered in ants so be careful where you lean, the kids loved following the trail to see where they were going. Toward the middle volunteers were drying flowers, bundles of which they have near the entrance and you can take home for free. read more

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i came where with a friend and it was such a nice escape from the busy life of oc! i didn't know this existed at all in oc. not only it was a decent size arboretum, it was free! parking isn't free, but it's only $4 per hour which is great considering it's on a college campus. at first we thought it was small, but the more we explored, the bigger it got! there were turtles and ducks near the pond area and also a nice area with projects/crafts people made :) it's for sure worth visiting to get your steps in and embracing nature! read more

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Free entrance and temporary free parking plus easy mainly flat nature walk w plenty of shade, what's not to like about this place. At mid 80s temp, it was hot for sweater weather so coming here in the afternoon provided plenty of cool shade and resting spots everywhere. There's not many flowers yet as it's winter easing into spring, but there was a tulip tree full of buds, magnolias are in bloom right now. A few daffodils were popping up as well. This precious nature spot in the middle of Fullerton is a great place to visit. read more

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This was my second time here and found new sights to enjoy! Parking was plentiful and's very close to the entrance. The parking is $4/hr and there is no entrance fee but a suggested donation. Normal bathrooms are found near the entrance. There is a cute kid's area with plenty of items to keep the kiddos busy. The one the kids in our group liked the best was the pipe organ. You press the pedals for the notes and there's easy sheet music to follow. We wandered around the cactus garden which was pretty impressive and had plenty of good photo opportunities. The flowers were not in bloom so we were not able to see the rose garden or smell the chocolate flowers. There were plenty of benches so you can stop and rest as frequently as you would like. Some areas are shaded so you can take a break from the sun on a hot day. I don't remember seeing any cafes or food places inside. There was a museum that was not open on the day we went. It's a nice place for a nice walk. I will definitely be back! read more

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The Fullerton Arboretum is a botanical garden gem for us people in Orange County. The grounds are beautifully curated, wonderful selection of local flora and also plants and trees from other locations. The cost is FREE but they do have a DONATION box for those wanting to support the conservation of this beautiful botanical garden (on selected days people can also buy plants, tress and fruits from the for sale section) please reach out to them directly to find schedule of "for sale" dates and times. There is some fauna: birds, butterflies, rabbits, turtles, ducks, lots of cute lizards and if your LUCKY you may see an or a (jk on those ) LOL in all seriousness, if you haven't visited the Fullerton Arboretum please go check it out! I think you will enjoy it read more

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While searching for a venue for my mother's memorial, I came across the Fullerton Arboretum. I had originally been considering the Bacon Pavilion, but to my surprise, the entire venue was absolutely beautiful. The Arboretum has such a peaceful and natural feel. The trees, flowers, and outdoor scenery create a calm, beautiful setting that feels tucked away from the busyness of the city. It truly feels like a hidden gem in the center of Fullerton. Even though it is located on the Cal State Fullerton campus, it is still easily accessible from the freeway, which makes it convenient for guests. Unfortunately, the venue did not work for our memorial because several people attending would have had physical limitations, and the amount of walking could have been challenging for them. However, for other types of events such as a baby shower, wedding, celebration, or intimate gathering, this venue would be absolutely beautiful. Even if you are not planning an event, I would still recommend visiting the Arboretum just to explore, relax, meditate, or enjoy a peaceful escape. It is a beautiful place with a warm, natural atmosphere, and I am glad I discovered it. read more

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Greta place to take your toddlers. It can get hot past 80 degrees especially in the dessert area, bring some water

We lived here for how long and never been here? How lol it's such a beautiful place to visit with family and kids. You have to pay for parking $4 which isn't bad. It was a bit warm today but I really wanted to visit here with my family to see the beautiful flowers and take some pictures. There's little bridges and benches everywhere to sit. It's pretty big so lots of walking, that was hard for me but it was worth it. There was so many trees that you could find shade which helped me a lot. My family and I walked through almost the whole thing and thank goodness the lady working there she was so sweet told us to go to the flower garden that there are so many flowers to see there and they have a little kid area where I met a squirrel friend lol. They have beautiful pond here too with lily pads and lots of fish and turtles it was so cute also had a family of geese walking by which was so cool. I didn't eat and the heat on top of that made me not feel so good so didn't get to see the museum lol. But it's ok we still had a really wonderful time seeing all the beautiful trees, flowers, the little pond and lots of gorgeous flowers and butterflies flying around. There is one area with bamboo trees and they were making such cool sounds swishing noises together we had to stop and listen to that for a bit. We loved our little walk here taking photos and enjoying the outdoors for a while. Next time we go, I want to see the museum, thank you for such a lovely experience here and for being so friendly. I saw a lot of my Yelp friends have been here too, If you haven't been here I recommend checking this place out its so cute and lovely, if you love flowers and a nice walk this is a great place to go. Have a beautiful day, be kind to everyone :) Aloha read more

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Had a great time at the Arboretum as a peaceful, serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I love that there are different microclimate areas to walk through and when we were here there was a person at a booth with some interesting animal pelts and turtle shells with some facts about each animal. There is a children's garden here too which my daughter enjoyed thoroughly. read more

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Cutie arboretum located in CSUF! Loved walking around with my friends and seeing all the different curated areas to enjoy the nature and take some cute pics. read more

LOVE walking here if ya wanna get fresh air and steps in! they charge for parking but.. they're not strict on it so... read more

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A OC GEM! Definitely need to be on your list to check out if you live in the area. Came on a Sunday afternoon despite the graduation crowd. Still had adequate parking and wasn't too busy. This place is beautiful. Love how each area takes you to a different oasis. Great door date strolls or a family hang out with lil ones read more

Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Fullerton, California

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This arboretum is a haven for plant enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking tranquility. Especially if you're looking for great photos. These curated collections of trees and shrubs showcase diverse species from around the world, offering a blend of education, conservation, and beauty. Many also feature walking trails, gardens, and programs for all ages, making them perfect for family outings or solo explorations. A visit to this arboretum is not just a journey through nature but a chance to deepen your appreciation for the environment. This place can also host weddings. read more

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Love this place. Went for a plant sale. Bought a native plant. Walked around to enjoy nature. It was a beautiful day even with occasional light rain. Roses are a beautiful sight right now. read more

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What a find! I've lived nearby all these years and never knew this kinda garden existed, very clean walkable not crowded and a gem in middle of the city. read more

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Very cool place to send a few hours in nature surrounded by a gazillion different species of trees bushes flowers. Very cool. Recently found this place and decided to go for a visit. There is a recommended donation at the entrance. The park was much larger than I expected, and it took us a while to walk around all the areas. The areas are divided into different "climates ". The desert area full of cactus is probably the coolest looking. There's a lot of chairs to rest and just take in the beauty of the place. Also, there's an area with fruit trees with very sour oranges. I tried one. Overall a beautiful place and I would highly recommend a visit. read more

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If you want to get away and be surrounded my nature, this is my place for you! It's a cute little spot tucked away in the CSUF campus. You don't have to be a student to come here. Admission is free and parking is free on the weekends. I was pleasantly surprised because it was bigger than I expected. There are many areas to explore such as a desert collection, citrus area, cacti garden, and so much more. They even host different events and weddings here. Side note: Currently, the Heritage House museum is closed until Fall 2024. read more

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The arboretum and botanical garden sits on a 23 acre site at the UC Fullerton campus. It opens to the public for free. Parking is available at the entrance for a nominal fee. We visited there on a Friday midafternoon. There weren't many visitors as the weather was quite hot under the sun. The garden was divided into various sections like succulents, thorn forest, subtropical and Mediterranean vegetations. They have a wide variety of plants. Unfortunately, some labels were missing. I liked specifically their collection of different varieties of mints and various fruit trees. Besides the normally seen grapes, figs, jujube and pomegranate, they have some more exotic ones like sapote, plantain and lychee. I was also interested in a chocolate smell flowering bush. Unfortunately there were only a few flowers left and they looked dehydrated. There are lots of trails which bring through various sections. Signs were clear but the paths were a bit beat up. There was also a rose garden but only a few flowers remain. Guess it's the wrong season to visit the garden. May visit again in the spring! read more

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Such a gorgeous gem of a place! I love gardens and this one had a wide plethora of plants and trees. The waterfall and turtle pond were beautiful and so peaceful. I love how the garden was divided up by various plant regions- it was like going on a treasure hunt. It probably takes around 45 minutes to go through everything, but you can certainly stay longer and relax on the benches or grass. There are so many little paths and benches- very nice for a stroll with family or a loved one. The parking is free on weekends, but on weekdays you do have to pay. I would happily come again! read more

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What a nice surprise! Fullerton Arboretum is a nice botanical garden near the campus, a 10 minutes drive from downtown. There's a parking lot, I used Lyft, so I didn't use it while visiting the area. Free to visit, $5 suggested donation. They do sell fruits and vegetables at the entrance that they grow inside the gardens. What a cool idea! Otherwise, expect to spend around 2 hours in here, there's a small lake with turtles, ducks and koi fish, a cacti garden, a nice orange grove, fig trees, lots of interesting trees in general, lots of nature learning. There are spots where you can sit down and relax. Great place to walk around, relax, exercise, lots to learn! Too bad the Heritage House is still closed. Peaceful spot, lots of photo ops! Not as big as other gardens in LA area, but this is still a great place to visit if you are in the area! Or make it a destination! read more

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Love this place. We can spend hours here. So relaxing and calming. My daughter and I went three times this past summer. They have a lot of places to sit on benches or under a tree. We love reading the descriptions of the different plants and trees. read more

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Cal State Fullerton is supposed to be interested in higher education which the Fullerton Arboretum was a wonderful place to teach children as well as adults about nature. Sadly, the university is only interested in making money with their parking fees and then asking for donations to enter. I predict that visitors to it will drop and my gut feeling is that the college really is not interested in maintaining the arboretum. Too me it is simple, charge $5 entrance fee and no charge parking at the arboretum parking lot and a $2 or $3 fee on the campus parking lot. Also offer a year long pass. That would be a win for all. If no action is taken, then I believe the arboretum is doomed. read more

Need a quick recharge? Stop by the Fullerton Arboretum located at Cal State Fullerton for tranquil settings, a piece of nature, and a breath of fresh air. We visited on the weekend when parking is free. Entrance is also donation based and you can support the arboretum by purchasing fruit at the entrance, which, at the time of making this video, is $5 a bag. The trails are easy and flat. Perfect for small children to run around and for those times when you just need a little exercise! When we went, there were no crowds and it was very easy to navigate. If you would like to watch a video I made whole walking the grounds, here's a link: https://youtu.be/lVmxVMQt26I?si=FKLD4RKz0n1TyhhR Information may be found at https://arboretum.fullerton.edu. The site, https://arboretum.fullerton.edu/faq.aspx, currently states the following: Arboretum and Botanical Garden is not a park. It is more like a zoo or aquarium. It has many rare, threatened and endangered plants. It also features cultivated plants of historical significance, including a nationally recognized citrus collection. The arboretum nursery propagates many of these plants to make them available to institutions around the world and to the public. The arboretum does not have an admission fee and invites visitors to explore and learn about plants, conservation and research. Donations on site or online go toward daily operational costs. The state of California requires that all public universities charge for parking on campus, which includes the spaces in front of the arboretum. Parking to visit the arboretum currently costs $4 per hour Monday through Friday, which can be paid through the ParkMobile app. Parking is free on weekends and university holidays. The Visitor Information Center in Lot G, across from the Arboretum, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist guests with downloading and setting up the ParkMobile app on their smartphones. An alternative payment method may soon be available to guests without smartphones. read more

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The parking and admission was free when I came on the weekend! There were sections for fruit trees, the house, and cactuses. I was in awe by the huge trees there and the variety of cacti they had. It was also just a great walking trail to get some exercise and greenery in. I wish the signs for the trees and plants were more descriptive but other than that it was an amazing time and experience. I definitely recommend if you are looking to do something fun for free read more

Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Cactus - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Fullerton, California

Such a relaxing place to visit in the CSUF campus. I would've never thought that there would be such a cool place to visit in a college. Totally wheelchair/stroller accessible trails, and neat plant life. There's a babbling brook that goes through the arboretum and would be a great place to just sit and relax. Both of my high school kids made the same comment that it would probably be a place that the students go to if they were feeling stressed before finals. Haha. I'm sure that's true, because I know I would! There's a cute kids section, and the cart in the entrance sells fruit that they grow on campus. $5 donation suggested per person, parking kiosk is located towards the entrance. read more

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I went here for a Pokémon GO event. I had never been here before. I honestly had never even heard of it. I didn't know there was a wilderness smack dab in the middle of the desert that is California!! lol I am originally from Louisiana so I can appreciate wildlife to a certain extent. And that extent is places like the Arboretum. You can walk in, have fun, and walk out back to the suburbs once you're done. lol If you live in the Fullerton area, then it is a lovely place to go for a morning walk. If you're into photography, there are many places where you can practice or set up photo shoots. If you are just going to enjoy the greenery, the flowers and the trees then it is a place you'll be able to get lost in all day. There are ponds and streams and turtles hanging out. There are also lots of benches for you to sit down and take in the scenery. I saw many people bring beach towels and food and have a picnic. If you are into any of the things I mentioned, I would suggest you take a trip to the Arboretum. If you're considering whether or not you're into the things that I mentioned, I would still suggest making a trip to the Arboretum, especially if you were born and raised in California and have never really seen a lot of greenery. It is just an amazingly relaxing place to visit. And who doesn't have anxiety these days?!?! Just a note: I went on the weekend so parking was free. Don't let the parking meters and the parking sign scare you! You only have to pay for parking during the week. read more

Another hidden gem in OC. This has been one of my favorite places on the planet since 2005ish. The collections here are engaging and unpretentious - I'd like to keep this arboretum a secret b/c it would be a shame to see this place overrun with unruly kids and couldn't-care-less adults. I do think groundskeeping has lagged a bit in the past 6 yrs or do - lots of the plants need tending and there's not as many bird species as in the past. Maybe not as many students care about botany or the arboretum anymore?? I do love photographing the flora and fauna here. Some very unique plants here that I've not seen anywhere else in my travels. There is a small fee for parking - but admission is free/donation. Bonus! read more

It's nice to have an arboretum in the area that has free parking on the weekends. The lot is small but has shade. Food is not allowed (so no picnics), but the arboretum is super easy to walk and has benches just about everywhere. Since parking is limited, the arboretum is never too crowded and an enjoyable walk. read more

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This place will be dear to my heart... first off, it is nestled on the campus of CSUF. That is my alma mater! Secondly, I still remember my first day of college as a freshman straight out from high school... *sighs deeply* I didn't know how to schedule my classes yet and had a huge 2-hour gap between my AM classes. I decided to explore the campus. After passing the library, then the kinesiology building, and then the dorms -- I find a gate of natural flora. I've always been obsessed with gardens, flowers, plants, trees. You name it! I love flora. As a result I found the entrance on the dorms side into the Arboretum! This view was incredible because it led you straight to the lake, the beaches under trees, the grass. It was so picturesque! I was so in love with it. The best part was no one else was around when I was there. This AM visit to the Arboretum became a part of my daily routine. After the many years, I find myself going back. I would admire the trees, the babbling brook, the succulent garden, and I especially love the historical house. It reminds me of Mr. Richard Nixon's house style. Anyway, I also love the pergola of wisteria when it's in season and the rose garden when it's in bloom. There is a part of the grounds that I recently discovered and it was cool! If you take the path on the north side by the large venue space -- Bacon Pavilion... it ends up taking you up to a mini hill or mound. There is even a bench up there. It was like a little secret spot! Parking is easy to find. There is a cement-dirt lot right in front. Also CSUF's parking lot is adjacent. If I recall correctly, it is free to park there on weekends. (JUST IN CASE -- READ THE PARKING LOT PAYMENT MACHINE) Yes -- you can have an event there, such as a wedding. Visit their website for details. It truly is a charming location for an outdoor wedding. And yes! You can take professional photos there! You just need to fill out the permit online and pay the fee according to your party size. This can be found on the Fullerton Arboretum's website. There is a time limit and you must schedule it in advance and adhere to the guidelines. The Arboretum is free of charge, but like a museum, you can contribute. Now that I am an adult, I find myself exiting and dropping at least a $5 bill in the donation bin. It feels so great to finally give back to something that gave me happiness, peace, and beauty when I was a college student. read more

What a gorgeous hidden little gem. We came here with a group of kids and they had a blast playing in the stream and looking at all the plants and turtles. Definitely make sure you leave enough time to go through the whole garden. They have it separated by climate and there's even a children's garden and wind chime area. I'll definitely be back to relax and explore again. The only part I didn't love was the parking situation. You have to pay online on your smart phone. Looks like they're on their way to install a parking kiosk. read more