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    Sonoma Botanical Garden

    4.3 (108 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sonoma Botanical Garden Photos

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    Sandra V.

    Such an amazing garden. It's huge. Def recomen hiking the outskirts first then coming back to the inside of the garden. You can go in circles. It's all beautiful and right now they have the spirit guide exhibit.

    Sculpture from current art exhibit
    Tony M.

    A beautiful place to go any time of year. The periodic special exhibits throughout the gardens are wonderful. The gift shop offers what one would expect with nice quality and selection. The staff is always friendly.

    Sonoma Botanical Garden
    Karalina H.

    We went to Sonoma Botanical Garden at the beginning of July, and at that time they had a Winged Wonders exhibit that we really enjoyed! We followed the map throughout our entire journey and it was wonderful. So many trails to explore, so many different things to see. All the plants, little birds, tadpoles, and even a deer! Most of the plants are labeled, so you can read about them as you go. The Winged Wonder exhibit was especially impressive. You can scan the QR codes next to the bamboo sculptures to learn about each bird species and even hear their calls in different situations. Such an amazing experience! Some parts of the paths had an incline, but most of the walkways were well shaded. We spent like 3 hours there just walking around, taking pictures, and enjoying nature. It is a very beautiful and calming place. I can't wait to come back to see a new exhibit and explore Sonoma Botanical Gardens all over again. Highly recommend!

    View of one of the ponds
    Sophia T.

    Gorgeous gardens to visit. Great places to sit and enjoy a packed lunch with nice views. Wear comfortable footwear and be sure to bring sun protection - plenty of shade, but there are many parts out in the sun. Very friendly staff at the front entrance. Clean restrooms onsite. The Winged Wonders exhibit was so fun to see. It was like a scavenger hunt going through the gardens to find them. Highly recommend a visit. Lovely to support a local attraction. Tickets are discounted for students and teachers! The trails do include a respectable amount of incline. While the trail is overall compacted well, there is plenty of loose gravel and some small holes. Those with mobility impairments should be aware that the gardens are not completely accessible.

    The amphitheater is down the stairs for weddings, etc.  It's a bunch of grassy steps leading to a small stage
    Lorissa W.

    The last time I was here, it was 2009. Now it's been 15 years later. There are some changes. When you drive into the garden entry, you first see vineyards and then the parking lot. The actual center where you pay is actually a bit of a walk from the parking lot itself (see photo). Once you get to the pay center, there is a very clean and charming picnic area full of tables and chairs (see pic). This is where you should eat your picnic lunch because it's super clean, private, and feels very safe (away from wild life or snakes or insects). I wish this garden staff would start a small cafe inside the gift center/pay center. Some panini sandwiches and coffee would be excellent and very lucrative for this garden although the ticket prices are somewhat high (15 dollars unless you're a child, military, or a teacher). Medi-cal recipients can show their card and come in for free which is very nice. Seniors pay about 13 dollars (save 2 dollars). I brought some hot specialty sandwiches from the Sonoma supermarket and some fruit. It was raining lightly so we ate inside our car but eating at the cute picnic tables near the gift shop/pay center would have been much easier and more charming experience. The best restroom is near the parking lot. Definitely use it before you walk. The trail was pretty even except for a few slopes and some walking stones placed strategically inside the ground. The website and reviewers say the average time spent here is between 2-2.5 hours. It took us only one hour to walk one mile and we finished the trail. The beginning of the light hike was not pretty, just a lot of bland trees and random landscape and we saw and heard no one which made me scared for mountain lions. Halfway into the walk, we saw people. There were a few beautiful spots including an area where you can look down at the entire park and you are high up at the same level as the treetops. There was a statue covered in Buddhist prayer flags (see pic), and a few areas of notable beauty (see pics). All and all, it was a peaceful and fun hike. There were no flowers but that's probably because it's late October. I highly recommend this garden for seniors and families. It's an easy hike and the area is clean. It's quiet and there are many picnic tables that are comfortable to have a picnic on. If I was local, I would definitely become a member of the garden and would come hike during the different seasons and enjoy some tranquil picnics. Lion mountains roam at dawn or dusk. I would go in the middle of the day with at least one other person but I think groups are the safest if you're worried about that. Definitely bring a bottle of water.

    Rose garden
    Tiffany D.

    Pleasant outing with babies and kids. Soothing gardens and water sounds. Brought my baby to this place and he was sleeping throughout the entire stroll. I especially like the ramp with the lotus water area. It was adorned to simply dwell there for awhile and a few benches tucked under shade, along the path for breaks in between. Calm environment and learned that roses came from China; enhanced breeding in Europe. Enjoyable hike! Stroller and family friendly!

    Lovely gardens! Went for the Winged Wonders exhibit and loved the creative bamboo sculptures! Be forewarned, if anyone in your party has any mobility issues this may not be a good experience... the paths are gravely (rough gravel) and there are some inclines that may be too steep for folks who have mobility issues. One member in our party has a bad ankle, but was able to make it to where the Owl installation was. One of the employees, Christina, saved the day! She saw that our friend was struggling and asked if she would like a ride. We gladly accepted and Christina was so kind and compassionate that she drove us through the garden and back to our car. The gardens itself are beautiful with lots of plants from Asia. There are two ponds and many trails to explore. Best to bring water bottles! Well worth the visit! A BIG Thank You to Christina !

    A perfect October

    After drizzle then came a perfect day. The lady from the store was very sweet and a great representation of the organization.

    We went to the Sonoma Botanical Gardens on a sunny February day to celebrate a family birthday in nature. From the friendly greeting in the gift shop (so nicely curated) to the warm cup of tea offered as we entered the Bonsai exhibit and throughout our stroll around the grounds we enjoyed every moment! Our group ranged in age from 16 to 90 years old - we all navigated the paths with ease. Do note that there is a bit of a descent towards the end - so any unsteady folks may need to hold hands!

    The Sonoma Botanical Garden contains a stunning diversity of Asian and California plants. I have attended a number of the garden's programs, and they were great. The recent bonsai event was truly fantastic! Whether you're looking for a serene walk, a hike, or a spot for meditation, this garden offers something for every everyone. The fact that most plants were grown from wild-collected seeds adds to its charm. It's a must-visit for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility amidst beauty. Highly recommended!

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    Beautiful, contemplative, plenty of trails--some steep and others more moderate--absolutely refreshing. The bonsai exhibit was amazing!

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    Ask the Community - Sonoma Botanical Garden

    Is there much in bloom during late December?

    The Garden is very weather dependent. Blooms are generally limited in December, but there are specific species that bloom in winter. Every season brings a different kind of beauty to the Garden and winter exposes the fascinating architecture of… Read more

    Does the garden get any nice fall foliage colors? If so what's usually the best time to go for that?

    Yes! The Garden has wonderful fall color with a diverse collection of maples and other deciduous trees - many of which are rare or endangered. As with everything in nature,… Read more

    Can you please let me me what is in bloom now? How often is there a golf cart that can take us up the hill?

    Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates on what's in bloom (@sonomabotanicalgarden). We are unable to offer rides up the hill. Accessibility is very important to us - we want to share the Garden with everyone! - and we are actively… Read more

    My grandma requires a wheelchair, would it be possible to push her around?

    the garden has some steep inclines to get into around. while the gift shop employees could potentially give you and your grandmother a ride up to a more level part of the garden in the golf cart, it may be somewhat difficult to push her up and down… Read more

    Is parking free?

    yes, parking is free on most days (except for special events) and you just pay admission in the gift shop

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Sonoma Botanical Garden

    Wide paths meander through a garden comprised of plants collected in their wild habitats in Asia from seed.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Benziger Family Winery - Explore our gorgeous Sonoma Mountain Estate on our award-winning tour, and learn about our sustainable Biodynamic farming practices.

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    We did the sit down, more formal tasting. It was quite nice, on the great patio. But they also have…read morethe stand up tasting in the shop for a little less money. We didn't do the tour, but they have a trolley tour if you are looking for something with out having to walk a lot.

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    Benziger Family Winery - Take a ride through the vineyards on our award-winning Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour. Voted Best Winery Tour by USA Today 10Best.

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    Benziger Family Winery - Voted Best Winery in Sonoma Valley People's Choice Awards. Explore our portfolio of Biodynamic®, organic and sustainable wines.

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    Hamel winery is definitely an experience for those with a bigger wallet/purse. The property and the…read morenewly built wine tasting and wine making buildings were gorgeous! We were were greeted by our personal wine staff who guided us through the wine tasting. He was pleasant, but overall seemed a bit apathic throughout the whole process. He was knowledgeable about the wine and the property. He guided us through the wine caves, which was lovely. I appreciated the personal attention, but it became a bit uncomfortable as the staff member sat with us between pourings. I would have liked the option to take our time drinking the wines, but I felt uncomfortable and slightly rushed as this person sat with us and did not always speak te whole time. We did arrive 30 minutes late due to the Tock app (reservation app) guiding us to the wrong location. We called Hamel to notify them and the person said they would wait for us, but I detected a bit of a tone. I also emailed Tock, which they responded quickly but basically said that they investigated it and it was basically an issue on Apple's side of things. No acknowledge of the inconvenience this had on me and my husband. We did receive a very tasty appetizer made by their world-renowned chef, but the wine fell short in my opinion. It seemed a bit watered down with little flavor overall. The wine is very expensive along with the wine tasting. Ultimately, I think you're paying for the view, experience and the cost of those new buildings.

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    Hamel
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    Sonoma Botanical Garden - gardens - Updated June 2026

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