We came here today at about 10:30 after going to our favorite bakery in Montclair. The parking was almost full on a Saturday at 10:30. However we were able to find one space. The small parking lot is across the actual park. The front gate was flung open wide. There was a nice volunteer that stood right behind the gate and offered us a map of the park. The park has lots of rare Californian specimens. It is interesting that they also sell these plants and the next sale will be in October. I don't know the cost of these plants but it would be very interesting to get a number of these rare young plants from this park. I spotted two beautiful buckwheat plants with colorful flowers at the nursery. Who knew that buckwheat has such beautiful colorful flowers? There's a lot of small winding paths and cute little bridges with streams underneath it. The smell of nature was very pleasant and unusually fragrant compared to other parks. I think this park would be much more beautiful in the spring when you can see flowers. We passed by a giant lily that had no flowers but would have been quite fantastic just a month ago There are so many little plants everywhere and they were all tagged by name. Who knew such a charming garden is available for free in the East Bay? The only garden that is even close to this one would be the Blake garden in Kensington which is open only a few days a week. This place is not great for picnics but did have a small bench that one can sit on and admire the garden views while munching on something. There was a man that was taking many photos of the plants while we were there. We did see one or two small families walking around but the park is big enough that you can get the park to yourself most of the time. The pathways are relatively narrow so would not be appropriate for someone with disabilities who need a wheelchair. Overall a very nice and safe park to walk around in but you would want to go somewhere else if you wanted to take many steps. This park is just so densely packed with plants that there is not a lot of walking around possible. I love that this park is close to some of my favorite places to shop so this is currently one of my favorite parks. Highly recommended! read more

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The parking lot for this garden is tiny, but at least it's free just like most of the facilities at Tilden Regional Park. Admission is free of cost too, with staff available inside the entrance to answer any questions guests may have. I visited this past Saturday and was captivated by the beauty of this place. And it's actually much larger than it seems from the outside. I enjoyed trekking the winding dirt trails and flagstone pathways, wooden foot bridges crossing over the creek, strolling through a forest of trees, exploring a diverse collection of beautiful plants and flowers including mackenzie's willow, bearberry, western azalea, and star lily, so many rare and endangered species, everything clearly labeled. My fave was humboldt's lily with its vibrant orange hue and intricate features that mesmerized me as I made my way through this enchanting maze. During my self-guided tour, I was enamored by this garden's storybook setting and charmed by the occasional bee and butterfly I encountered along the way. There's a visitor center and plant sale on site too. And I saw groups having picnics and gatherings in more secluded areas of the park. Needless to say, this place has a lot to offer and appreciate. read more

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This is a nice place to walk around and explore on your own. You can even have a picnic here if you like. We have even seen people take pictures here on their wedding day and ourselves taken family photos here. They have so many different types of plants here, it's cool to explore and be one with nature. It's a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very beautiful garden. It's pretty cool to see all the native plants here in california. The garden is separated into the different regions of the state. My kids loved the little "eye spy" game they were given at the front. When you find all of them and turn the sheet back in you get a prize. They got a magnifying glass for their future explorations! read more

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I love that this garden is FREE! You can see a variety of planets, flowers, and habitats for 10 acres. Theres a nice grass area to lay around, so you can bring a blanket or towel, but overall this garden is just a nice place to explore and walk around for a bit to get away from it all. Parking lot is just across the street and is free! read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Native California plants at this Botanic garden. The planting zones were very well thought out and there is so much to see its best to probably go on a tour - although I have yet to go on one. Great place for people of all ages - as long as your ok with a flight of stairs here and there. Great for anybody to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge. Lots of green to feast your eyes on. Old mossy trees and very peaceful. Not too much was in bloom as it is the winter - but I don't think it took away from the experience at all. Some fall colored leaves and other interest can be appreciated but really I think a professional tour guide would be best so that you notice all that the garden has to offer. Very well maintained grounds and a small parking lot that always seems to have a spot all the times when I've shown up. Tilden Park has so many hidden spots. I really think you need a tour guide for the whole park itself. I know I get lost, dazed, confused if I wasn't with a friend who has a firm grasp of the landscape. And I definitely wouldn't come here alone - I think humans should walk in groups as there are mountain lions that could pop out of nowhere and snatch up little children. read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Flower blooms once in the lifetime of the plant. Rare sight. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Brought mom to visit the native plant garden in Tilden. Each section features native Californian plants from mountain, forest, coastal, desert bioclimates. Great for an hour walk around the blooming flowers - so many kinds! Half of garden is shaded with trees (redwood, Sequoia, maples, dogwood etc) with a stream running through and half is fully exposed (bring a hat!). Various trails wind around up and down - mix of stone paved, dirt, steps. Great for meandering. Parking lot outside fits about 15 cars. Free parking and admission. read more

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Five stars Absolutely beautiful place -- peaceful, inspiring, and so well-kept. The whole garden is gorgeous, but the redwood forest section?? Magical. Felt like stepping into another world. Quiet, shaded, and just pure calm. Can't wait to go back. read more

Lovely spot for a visit if you're a nature loving family. We visited on a spring morning. Parking was easy in the small parking lot, and the groundskeepers were approachable. They pointed us to the best places to visit, and kindly answered the questions our kids peppered them with. We spent well over an hour checking out the flowers, shrubs, and trees (including some rare and endangered ones), and walked the extensive grounds, pausing a few times to rest near a pond or under shady trees. The kids had their binoculars out to spot birds. We even spotted some crawfish in the stream that runs through the park. Happy to revisit next time we are in the Berkeley hills. read more

A hidden gem for those of who don't live in the hills! Absolutely gorgeous FREE botanical gardens that made for the perfect scenic location for a picnic with my friends. While they don't have official picnic tables, we brought some blankets and laid them out in the plush grass with our cheese and wine and basked in the sun. We even saw BUNNIES! The parking lot isn't huge and cell phone service is spotty so plan accordingly, and the bathrooms are actually clean which is nice. I'll definitely be back to enjoy another picnic with friends and to take a closer look at the plants and flowers featured in the garden. read more

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We came here to escape the miserable furnace that is east Contra Costa County in the summer and found ... blessed relief. But that was just the beginning of the pleasures this oasis offers. We were greeted by a brilliant fuchsia-colored patch of native flowers surrounded by different shades of green everywhere -- shady trees, bushes, vines, grass. Well-maintained paths lead visitors up, down, and around these 10 acres of plants cared for by botanical experts who are happy to identify this or that bloom. Seeds are for sale if you want to try to cultivate some of the natives at home. This is a lovely place to enjoy a few hours of quiet and perhaps a picnic (leave the pet home). Oh, and be sure to close the gate behind you -- wild turkeys enjoy foraging in this sanctuary if given the chance .... read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Tilden Regional Park encompasses 2,079 acres where one can hike, bike, horse ride, camp, golf, lake swimming, ride on the historic carousel and the steam trains, visit farm animals at Little Farm, have events at the Brazil Room and see plants at the Botanic Garden. The 10 acre garden was opened in 1940 and all the original construction of paths, raised beds, rock walls and Juniper Lodge was done by the Works Progress Administration in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The parking lot for the Botanic Gardens is across Wildcat Canyon Road, where the restrooms are located. Watch for cars when you cross the street. Stop at the Visitor's Center at the left when you enter to get a map of the Garden. The Garden is divided in 10 Sections with each section representing a section of California, Southern California, Valley-Foothill, Santa Lucia, Channel Island, Franciscan, Pacific Rain Forest, Sierran, Redwood, Sea Bluff and Shasta-Klamath. The map identifies the ten sections from 0 to 10 which each section identified by a color and plant numbering scheme. This Garden changes during the course of the year as different plant bloom and flower so you can visit each month and your visit would be different. Through certain Sections, you will walk down into the Canyon and you will be walk next to and cross Wildcat Creek on bridges. I visited during a weekday and the Garden was peaceful with very few people around. The Garden offers free tours during weekends on Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 11am and 2pm. A very nice Botanic Garden for some peace and quiet. read more

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This garden is quite big with a bunch of different trails that lead all over the place. Highly recommend you take a tour to learn about the plants and to not get lost. Tours are on Saturday's at 2pm and Sunday's at 11am & 2pm. If you can't make the tours try to get a copy of the botanical garden map. The garden is a collection of plants that can be found throughout California. The different colors on the plant labels indicate a particular area of California that those plants are from. For example, sand colored labels means the plants came from Southern California. Each plant label shows the plant name, scientific name, family class, year and location of when and where it came from. There's a small pond hidden in the grassy area. There's also the wildcat creek that runs from one end of the garden to the other. Be visual on where your walking and your surroundings as some of the trails for example can go from flat surface to an uneven dirt trail. There are some benches scattered around if you need to rest. My favorite area is just resting underneath the giant sequoia trees and breathing in all that fresh air. These trees are so tall that I can't find the top when I look up. Big shout out to the workers that do a great job of maintaining the garden. They make it such a beautiful place to take a walk. Some parts of the garden almost has a fairytale like feel to it. I think the only issue you can run into is finding parking. There is a parking lot across the street but it has limited spaces and fills up fast. This same parking lot also has bathrooms and I don't think I saw any bathrooms inside the garden. read more

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A nice nature walk through local native plants, Redwood trees and along a nice little stream. An unexpected gem, really. Not your typical Botanic Garden filled with roses and flowers, but almost all green plants and shrubs. A great option for families with littler ones and/or seniors who aren't looking for a strenuous hike, but still looking for a little more than a flat walk. You can probably cover the whole garden in an hour or so, and that's walking leisurely and taking it all in. Plenty of parking across the street. Overall, a nice respite in Tilden for a leisure walk. read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Even though it's been around since 1940, I had no idea this botanical garden existed, and I surely must have driven by it on my way to Inspiration Point over the years. It's somewhat hidden on a blind curve of Wildcat Canyon Road, and there is no prominent signage indicating it's there. Yet, once you discover it, you'll be rewarded with ten acres of native California flora and foliage behind the gate (photo: http://bit.ly/2rvbbV1). Even coming out of a coldish winter, the place was a bucolic treat that will make you feel like John Muir. It was a genuine sea of tranquility considering that it attracts very few visitors, even on the weekends. This came as a surprise to me since it's open every day from 8AM to 5PM, and it's free. There are quite a few walkways and footbridges that wind through the various sections that spotlight the state's natural areas including a heavily wooded area full of conifers and even redwoods that surround a more rustic creek setting (photo: http://bit.ly/2rsIoAL). I noticed they have quite a nursery set-up with plants and flowers for sale. There looked to be a full-time staff of gardeners who tend to it all with meticulous care. There is a free parking lot across the road, just watch out for all the drivers and cyclists careening around that curve. read more

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Reservations are not required. The one in uc Berkeley was full- would recommend making reservations for that one for the weekend, so we headed toward the one in Tilden park. It was so nice and peaceful! There were a variety of plants out in the open and also places in the garden where there were big trees and much shade and some streams. I saw some places where you could do a picnic too if you wanted. It wasn't super crowded for a Saturday but enough people. There was parking there too. And I love how big Tilden park is, you can check out all the lovely places in the parking afterwards. read more

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The Botanical Garden in Tilden park is just breathtaking. We visited during our Berkeley trip during the rainy season, so the creeks were rushing, the waterfalls were falling and everything was bright and covered with dew. It was also freezing, but I'd planned for that with a coat and a scarf. I loved the small pathways and wide bridges and the thoughtful stonework was amazing. Everything felt flush and green but I think ambling down the small stone steps was my favorite. Hopefully next time we head up it won't be so wet, but it still was definitely a gorgeous adventure! Especial big thanks to whomever found our room key and tied it to a piece of wood for us to find on the bridge! read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

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It has been about 3 or 4 years since I've been here and that was awfully silly of me. Don't go in expecting lush tropical greenery and exotic flowers. The Botanic Garden at Tilden is dedicated to California native plants and does a fine job in exhibiting what our beautiful state has to offer. Entry is free and their volunteers and park staff do a beautiful job on maintaining the grounds. This is the kind of place to visit when you need to slow down, unwind and decompress. A stroll along their paths and a picnic on the lawn will do you a world of good. After a hectic week, a visit to the Redwood Grove was just what I needed to recharge. Come spring there are a variety of wildflowers in bloom and everything was still a lush green from the (minimal) rain we had this past winter. What a wonderful spot to bring a book, a friend or some lunch and just sit down, relax and soak in the nature. There are plenty of benches along with grassy areas to rest and it seems like a great, safe place to bring the kids to run around and enjoy nature. If you're spending a day up in Tilden and not hiking, I'd highly recommend adding this on to your visit to the Steam Trains, Little Farm or Carousel. How lucky are we in the East Bay that this gem is so accessible and FREE! Other extras include a small parking lot across the road from the main entrance, as well as a nursery selling native plants (not sure of their hours so maybe look ahead on their website.) read more

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What a beautiful place to explore native plants from all over California in one place. I really adored this garden. I wandered alone, getting lost in the property. I went on a Thursday and it wasn't busy at all. read more

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Wedding didn't start yet so wandered down here. nothing going on down here either. flowers haven't bloommed. no buds yet.. nice to see almost extinct flowers have found a home here... i haven't taken the time to enjoy nature in the open. the haphazard ride to get here wasn't so encouraging. parking is also a problem. if i am in the area. i will certainly drop by. news on net: "Obama's $400.000. Wall Street speech is completely in character. (Huffpost, politics, 4/.26/17) -ask all the bankers he jailed for fraud. (none). read more

Perfect sized garden for kid-sized nature walks, small picnics, reading a book, or just quietly enjoying nature. The botanical garden is a mix of naturally growing redwoods and creeks to well-maintained lawns and flower beds. My kids love all of the bridges and leading the way and getting "lost" on "an adventure." There is a waterfall, mossy rocks, and cool shady spots. This garden is part of the regional park system--it is free with limited free parking. Not to be confused with the also excellent but paid entrance UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. read more

An absolute treasure. I love Berkeley and I will miss it so dearly next year ='( Why do I have to graduate?!! The Botanic Garden has the cutest little plants: cacti, berries, pretty blossoms, and funny-shaped flowers. There is also a nice, shaded area with tall redwoods. My camera was happy. Entrance is free, and parking lot is nearby. read more

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Definitely a hidden gem. Unlike the UC Garden which charges for parking and admission the Tilden Garden is FREE! Most of the plants are native to the Bay Area It is a fun place to explore and hang out. We saw people of all ages. Fun place for families. Some of the trails are steep and unfortunately the trails are mostly inaccessible for wheelchair users There is a small but nice redwood grove that feels very meditative when you enter it. Spring has almost sprung---there are lots of poppies, purple irises, teeny flowers.... Waterfalls here and there. Grassy areas to sunbathe, read and relax. The parking lot is across the street. As mentioned by Suzanne F--the traffic is fast so be careful when you cross the street. If you want a calm, quiet respite from your hectic life, this is the place to go read more

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The Botanic Garden at Tilden, was founded in 1940 and is a gorgeous and often overlooked place for Families to enjoy nature in safe and nurturing environment. You can wander around as long or as little as you would like and it's a nice supplement to the common Little Farm, Carousel, and Steam Trains circuit. The Botanic Garden at Tilden is relatively small (~10 acres), but contains a nice variety of plant species and associated landscaping. I also have fond memories of my step-daughter's Girl Scouts-related "Fly Up" ceremony that was held here. It's free and any donation is a small price to pay for this kind of serenity and beauty. read more

I have no idea we have this beautiful place here in the East Bay area! What a find! I wish more people know about this gorgeous place, then maybe more people will learn to appreciate and care more about nature. It is hard to describe the beauty of this place. Even pictures doesn't do it justice. One must be present to take it all in. Free entrance! Free parking! What are you waiting for? read more

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Come here to walk around and enjoy the diversity of nature -- for free! There are a ton of different plants to look at, and a lot of them have funky names that will make you chuckle. I was surprised at how large this garden is. The garden is arranged into labeled "regions," including desert, redwood forest, and seaside, among others. They've also placed signs for most of the plants listing information such as the species, location, and endangered/rare status. In many cases, it's unclear which plants the signs correspond to -- but keep in mind that this is a free garden. There's not a lot of shade, so come with some sun protection. read more

What an unexpected pleasure and thrill my first visit to this other-worldly garden. Primordial came to mind. It feels so ancient. Wandering the trails, sounds of Wild Cat Creek, aromatic air. Docent-led tours are an excellent choice if you want to hear more about the history of natives -- plants and people! Great for children. Leave pets at home. But bring a picnic. This could definitely be a perfect mid-morning, enjoy some lunch and then explore some more kind of adventure.The all-California native plants garden houses some rare and unusual species. Gardening geeks and amateurs will be amazed. And guess what? It's all free. The tours, the garden, the parking. But give back....donations are always welcome. read more

Amazing botanical gardens featuring California's native plants! From San Diego to Oregon, you'll see a mind boggling array. The gardens feel a lot bigger than they really are with meandering paths that go up, down, over and under bridges and down to the creek. My kids LOVED hiking/playing in here. They didn't want to leave. My son called it The Maze. The adjacent parking lot is small and fills up. That is the only issue. We will definitely be back. read more

When I first walked in, I wasn't too impressed because the grass was browned and the plants didn't look very interesting, but as I walked further in, there were more trees and shade. The park is actually decently big, and there is a variety of plants, although they all are sort of the same after a while. There's a very small visitor center inside, and there's a dried up lake and a foresty-feel in one section. The walk is mostly flat, although there are stairs at some points. This is a nice place to walk around, but there really isn't too much to see. read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Beautiful! They also sell plants here! Bring some snacks and have a mini picnic with a beautiful view! read more

Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden - Giant Leopard Lilly - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a DELIGHTFUL place! I stopped here after a tiring hike up on the "Seaview" trail. (It turns out that hybrid bikes aren't so great on that trail.) The visitor's center, although not open during my visit, has maps which explain the garden's layout. I thought this map was very useful. I wandered around, just taking in the wonderful garden. My favorite area had the giant Sequoia trees. I just sat there and appreciated the wonders of nature. This is a great place. Stop, take a moment to appreciate. read more

We favor being close to nature far more than anything else. In this botanical garden we were able to see a little bit of everything from cactuses to red woods. All the sections of this park are dedicated to parts of California so we got to see all of the native plants of California in just a few hours. There is plenty of space for you to enjoy a picnic at. You can find lots of shady places. This park was opened in 1940 and there are 10 acres to enjoy so you can imagine how beautiful everything is due to the tears of the trees, plants, and flowers. There are plenty of parking spots. If you can't find one across the street then you can park to the side of the park. We came here in the winter and were not able to enjoy it as much as we did now because a lot of the things are in bloom. You can actually call and ask them which of the plants/flowers are in bloom. read more

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Such a beautiful garden and it's FREE! Found parking across the street and walked the gardens in a short amount of time then hiked a trail near Inspirational Point. The botanical garden is walking distance to Lake Anza and the Basil Building. I can't wait to come back and enjoy the beautiful gardens again. The redwood trees were a plus and provided shade and benches are available to sit and admire the views. read more

Went for the first time last Saturday, couldn't believe I hadn't been inside before for how many times I've been to Tilden Park. I went for the Native plant sale, and I was not disappointed. I wish I had gone early as they were already sold out of some plants that the experts recommended for my project. Bob helped us pick out a bunch of plants with his extensive knowledge and even deferred to the leading director of the garden for advice. Being a nubie gardener the advice and guidance was very appreciated! I can't really review too much on the garden itself because I was just there for the sale which is why I went with 4 stars, I was in it and I enjoyed buying some of its plants and the volunteers and employees were all lovely. read more

Reservations are required now, which is okay... except that they do not contact you if the place is closed! You just make your reservation, drive to Tilden, then see that it's not open at the very time your reservation is for. (Today it was closed for fear of high winds that were neither forecast for nor appeared during the daytime.) So - yeah - don't count on the reservation system to tell you if they're closed, or, for that matter, their phone number, which also had no indication they'd be closed. They definitely need to get this together, since otherwise a day trip to the park can turn into a road to nowhere for visitors - a major waste of time and disappointment. read more

Beautiful.... You should plan to spend about 1-1.5 hours here at least: hike a little, take time to read about the plants, sit down at the bench unde the shade near the creek, bath in the sunshine, take in the fresh air, experience the wide range of trees from redwoods to desert plants that belong to the state of California. After you're done, you might want to head to the Selby Trail which is accessible from behind the Brazilian Building or the parking lot a little bit further down the road. From the Selby Trial, you'd get to Lake Anza, Wild Gorge Trail, and all the wonderful places in Tlden Park. read more

What a beautiful garden! I recently visited this garden with my sister (who happens to be a CA native plant guru) and we both loved it! It is tranquil, scenic, and beautifully landscaped with California native plants. There are paths that lead you to the different areas of the garden, a visitor's center, streams, bridges, and a nursery where you can purchase various native plants (only on Thursday mornings, I think). They use a multi-colored labeling system for the plants so visitors can learn which plants are native to different regions of California. Next time you visit Tilden Park, make sure you visit the botanic garden. Better yet, head over there just for that reason! read more

Wow, the Botanic Garden surpassed my expectations! I was in the area with a friend-and we decided to veer off into this place. We both were surprised; this place is very pleasing to the eyes and the nose. The colors of the various flowers and shrubs/plants are unique-the colors definitely draw you in during the hike/stroll. The smells are welcoming. This was a pleasant laid back hike/stroll. I highly recommend this hike for folks who want to learn about and experience the wonderful smells of indigenous flora of the SF Bay Area. This is a great family hike-an awesome way to introduce ones kids into hiking. I was impressed by the redwood grove area which is a part of the Botanic Garden, as well as the various wooden bridges which overpass the creeks/streams. This place is very relaxing and peaceful. I will be checking this place out more. read more

This place is absolutely breathtaking. One of my favorite spots to visit in Berkeley. It's always a blast to take friends who have not visited this place and hear all the "oohs" and "aahs" from them. All native plants from California are beautifully landscaped all throughout the park. You can enjoy a relaxing walk through the small bridges and narrow trails along the creek. Parking and admission are free. I've seen people picnic in the redwood trees section. Don't know if it's allowed, but it's a brilliant idea. This place always seems to be lacking visitors, so make it a must to check out this baby. read more

This is a lovely spot no matter the weather & today was particularly swell...slight breeze, sunny but not hot...A perfect day for a picnic. The small parking lot and the opening of South Park Drive make this an easy trip. The street in front of this garden can be tricky with people driving very fast, so watch out! Inside there are all sorts of little areas with specific plants native to CA divided by regions. The 3 boys are fascinated yet repelled by the cacti and somehow always think they can poke or mess around with said prickly individuals without suffering the consequences...Still the way the garden is designed is beautiful. We have seen crawdads in the creek, all manner of bird life and today we were visited by the special black & white garden cat. Apparently this is a feline who enjoys sunning AND picnicking simultaneously! A gem of a spot and well worth the drive/hike/ride up to Tilden. Even better when you pack something tasty with some cool beverage, a blanket, and good book. An unbeatable combination for a Spring afternoon! read more