Staff were incredibly friendly! The upper pond was lovely. Lots of spots to sit down. Perfect place to bring some snacks and hang out. The flowers were pretty. A lot of the trails were shaded! read more

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The Sonoma Botanical garden was much bigger than I thought it would be. At 67 acres, I think it's the largest in the bay area, The garden felt more like an arboretum with trails and lots of trees rather than a stroll garden with flowers. The first time I went I didn't realize you could look at a map beforehand because it's not a simple find on their website but I suggest looking beforehand to see what it offers (plan your visit-visitor information-download map). The rose garden here was underwhelming. This one was quite small and didn't look like it was maintained. If you want to see roses I'd recommend the nearby Cornerstone gardens, which have a much better rose garden, and they don't charge an entrance fee. I loved the pond with the lily pads and the Asian garden with all the greenery and small bridges. I also loved how garden was right next to a vineyard. Sonoma is beautiful and warm and it's nice driving up the 12 looking at wineries and admiring the scenery. read more

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The $17 per adult entry fee is way overpriced. My friends and their 2 little kids payed $50. Its a nice little hike with some pretty vantage points, but there are many nearby regional parks that are just as lovely for parking fee only. It would be better if they just charged $5 for parking. We noticed lots of people parking and just going up the hiking path and not paying. I guess we were suckers. Paying is not worth it, but if you dont pay, its a bargain. Its worth a parking fee but not a per person entry fee. read more

what an amazing place! We went for the special exhibit of spirit animals. They were scattered throughout our hike and they were absolutely gorgeous. The whole area had several different plants that were starting to bloom. It's a fairly easy walk. There's certain areas that are uphill, but very enjoyable. read more

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Place is great. No water faucets anywhere else anywhere in the vicinity. Bring water bottle and walking shoes and a hat on a sunny day. read more

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This is a very small but pastoral botanical garden. It starts out alongside a vineyard and for some of the path seems like we could just be hiking at Taylor Mountain. For families with very small children this would be a perfect nature outing as the path is accessible, there are plenty of benches and seating, and it is easy to take a shorter path if needed. I wouldn't drive too far out of my way to visit, and it's probably a 3 rating, but I am bumping it up to a 4. We really liked the big woven bird sculptures as well as the little pond and creek. The gift shop is filled with good finds. Pro-tip: use the bathroom near the parking lot before you enter. I thought there would be one within the garden, but there was only a porta potty, so we did cut our visit short to return to the parking lot ones. read more

Sonoma Botanical Garden - Quail woven art structure - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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. read more

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Beautiful gardens and an amazing art exhibit of sculptures from Oaxaca. We were able to secure a tram ride with a guide since two of us are disabled and would not be able to walk the entire distance. The guide, Beth Ann? Was amazing and explained the sculptures. They also have a sunset night weekly in the summers, where there is live music, people can bring their leashed dogs unleashed children and picnic set ups (trams will help transport camping chairs etc) and food and beverages (including alcohol). I would totally do this if I lived closer. Beautiful plants, including natives, bee hives that are not harvested but allowed to be wild, so much more. read more

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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. read more

Sonoma Botanical Garden - Sculpture from current art exhibit - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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A beautiful calming place to go to relax in nature. It is not such an easy walk for people with disabilities since there are several steep hill trails and long moderate inclines and then on the way back downhills. But the overall ambiance & experience is highly positive. They have some giant bird models interspersed throughout the trails which enhances the event. I recommend it for hikers & kids & nature lovers. It may be difficult for those with lower extremities disabilities & I don't think wheelchairs would work on the hilly parts but would do OK on the inclines. Lastly, I would recommend going in October/November when it is a little cooler. It can be pretty warm in May when we went. read more

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 ! read more

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

Sonoma Botanical Garden - A perfect October - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

A first and best for us! Too many highlights. We did try to plan with the map and got lost several times...What a magical place to be lost!!!We found ourselves laughing, smiling, appreciating, marveling, in wonderment. So many unique plant species. Although there were some times we couldn't find out what a plant was, most were clearly labeled. If I lived in the area, I'd for sure be a member and take picnics and attend the live music evenings. read more

It's a nice place to take a quick hike, but definitely not worth the $15 per person. If you do go, go prepared with some drinks and snacks. There are some ok spots where to sit and relax. read more

Nice staff. nice gardens. good shade. Large collection Cool on a hot day. we loved tha they respected the "American Horticultural Society (AHS) " membership. Unfortunately, lots of plants still need their tags (-1 star) was there with a large group, and we found the trails quite nice and easy to walk. we covered every trail, and loved it all. It would be nice to have an more context, either with an audio tour, a pamphlet, or virtual tour to understand more ecological /global detail about the extensive collection. read more

Meh flora. No fauna. Good place to hike with mostly up and down paths. A toilet is needed in the interior of the property as it is a big property and backtracking to the restroom near the entrance is not fun. read more

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! read more

Sonoma Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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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! read more

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Sonoma Botanica Garden is a meditative oasis in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Check it out at different times of year to experience the beautiful foliage in unique ways- from watching the magnolias bloom in the winter to the explosion of fiery fall colors in autumn. The organization supports the preservation of rare and exotic plants from Asia, some of which are extinct in the wild, so its a great place to go for a walk and do some good while you're at it. read more

While it is always a treat to visit the SBG, the current exhibit is a splendid accent to the natural environment there. The oversized, whimsical birds bring delight and are beautifully crafted. They are skillfully fit in with their immediate surroundings, whether nestled in a grove, perched on a trellis or framing the stage for the music events of Acoustic Sunsets. These creatures will bring a smile to visitors of any age. read more

What a great way to spend an hour or few drinking in something other than wine in Sonoma County. The garden is a peaceful respite from whatever ails you. And if you crave a little retail therapy, the gift shop has something for everyone. Do not miss this place. read more

We came for the ribbit exhibit( the one with frog statues). The staff was so nice and helpful. Loved all the paths and the pond with the water Lilly's. Would love to go back when it's cooler. read more

We're in the area visiting our daughter and she told us about this garden so we visited while she was still at work. Very nice staff. We spoke at some length about the layout with the clerk in the visitor center. She was very nice. We also met Guillermo, one of the gardeners, along the way and he gave us some neat tips. We took our time wandering through and spent about 2 hours. The trails are very easy with the exception of a couple short steep areas. Totally doable. We packed in a picnic lunch and ate it at the Ting building tucked away off the main trail. We had it to ourselves and listening to nature, including nearby moving water, as we ate made it a lovely experience. Definitely a place to visit. read more

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Arrived early on a Friday morning and really enjoyed our visit. Took us about an hour to see/walk most of the garden. Lots to look at and was beautiful. There are lots of cozy, hidden benches scattered throughout the garden walk to sit and rest or enjoy the scenery. Highly recommend to bring light snacks/lunch and eat at one of the hidden picnic benches in the park or at the ones located right next to the parking lot and restrooms. Very shady and beautiful. Restrooms were super clean too. Great visit! read more

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I came here to be inspired. But left disappointed. I mostly came on the whim that it had great Yelp reviews. And it was something I haven't visited yet... First of all, I felt for $30 for two people the place is shabby at best. Many parts of the garden look unkept, and boring. It was hard to pinpoint any kind of direction with the garden. And my energy didn't seem to flow here. For me, it was nothing but bad vibes. To me a garden should easily co-exist with nature. It should be something teaming with life, full of energy, excitement and enchantment. Birds, bees, butterflies, and amphibians all should be vibing here for me to connect with... I did not experience any of that here! To me this garden is something that isn't working. And they are trying to hard to keep it alive. I regret my time, money and effort lost looking for inspiration at this establishment. With so many AMAZING local parks. Such as Mount hood, sugarloaf, Jack London, Sonoma valley regional, north Sonoma mountain, annadel and many more. I would have rather spent the time I wasted here, in one of our local parks. Which are chalk full of inspiration, teaming with life, and my energy flows with abundance! read more

We stayed in Glen Ellen for a week and found our way here one morning. I applaud the founders for setting up such a wonderful garden. They have trees from all over the world especially China, Japan, and Korea. We really enjoyed walking around, exploring the grounds, and took a lot of pictures. The gift shop had some interesting items. It is definitely worth the $12 price for admissions. Do watch out for the thorns on some of the plants. read more

Sonoma Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

Beautiful place. First time there we ended up joining. On Wednesday evenings during summer there is live music and wine tasting in the beautiful natural amphitheater. read more

Best kept secret in Sonoma County. What a surprise and delight! The place is huge, way bigger than I imagined. There is a lily pond. A Gazebo, a wisteria covered pergola, a waterfall, bridges, benches, a fountain and hundreds of Asian trees , including Katsura trees that smell of burnt sugar. Go there to restore your spirit. read more

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One of the most unique botanical gardens I've ever visited. It's like going for a hike through a private forest, versus a series of garden rooms or regions as many others present. In this case, the Quarryhill "garden", was planted from seeds by its original owner. She favored Asian varieties, which lends an exotic feel to the environment. This is more about trees and bushes than beds of flowers. Meandering paths climb through acres of a gentle hillside. A stream moves between two sizeable ponds, with a waterfall and quaint bridges. On a warm day, the many shady areas felt wonderfully cool. Definitely a place for comfortable walking shoes, preferably with closed toes. Some paths can be on the steeper side, and require caution not to slip on the gravel. Many benches are thoughtfully placed around the property to offer resting places. It would have been completely serene except that some heavy machinery was operating in the adjacent vineyard. Am sure that most guests enjoy a quieter experience. Luck of the draw for us to be there at a noisy time. It happens. Admission is free for members of reciprocal gardens (like Descanso Gardens). Moderate price for others. Cute gift shop with a very Zen feel. Free parking, and a newer restroom building. Picnic tables available. Virtually deserted on a weekday morning. read more

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Perfect day in October, headed out to check out Sonoma Botanical Garden with my new daughter in law. Friendly and warm guy checked us in and off we went. Though there's some walking up light grades, it was easy, we were both in sandals, and never got winded at all. Self guided tour map was a bit under informative, signage could be better, but in a way it added to the feeling of discovery whenever we came across the things on the map. We meandered our way to the huge fountain on the pond, the lagoon with the lily pads, the wisteria covered arbor, and the terraced grass amphitheater, all the while enjoying our conversation and the beautiful plants and trees surrounding us. It was a wonderful 90 minute adventure, I'll definitely be going back. What a special place! read more

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Dear Yelper, If you're a hopeless romantic like myself, listen up! This review's for you. After playing texting tag with my besty Hikaru, we finally set a date for her and her roomie to come visit me in Santa Rosa! Moving from the Bay Area (where I met Hikaru), I was nervous that my new zip code would be too boring for friends. So, I created a Sonoma County day long bucket list full of nature activities for Hikaru to make sure she enjoyed her stay with me. Some things on this bucket list included: -Sonoma Botanical Garden -Hiking and kayaking around Spring Lake -Thai food at Sea Thai Bistro When we arrived to Sonoma Botanical Garden, at first, the walk was pretty basic (some of the plants were dry and nothing really caught my eye) but I knew I was supporting a great cause (shoutout to the garden staff who are super friendly and are working hard to make this space a zen, green space!) As you can probably tell already, I'm a plant snob (this happened ever since I visited Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and ever since then, I have been super picky about green spaces). Although I wasn't impressed at the start, as we proceeded on our walk, we got to experience a HEAVENLY zone!! This waterfall/lily creek area at Sonoma Botanical Garden was straight out of a netflix romance movie. I was in awe! At that moment, I kept thinking about how this space would be such a wonderful way for my partner to propose to me (Elman where are you? Hope you're reading this! lol). Shout out to those partners out there who are brainstorming ways to propose to their loved one....If your partner likes surprise divine spaces, take them to this part of the garden with a charcuterie board, picnic blanket, a violinist (you can have the violnist wait at the specific spot in the garden and look like a hiker) and of course, bring the special ring you want to propose to your bae with. Also, call up your local photographer and have them pretend they are a friendly hiker and then when you propose, have them jump out of the plants and capture the priceless moment (well, maybe not jump...) because you KNOW that your loved one is going to want to have all this captured on camera! Personally, if this were me, I would want my family and friends to be there to be a part of the timeless moment as well! So, maybe I would call up your partners closest loved ones and have them hide in the plants somewhere too...(you think I'm joking but I'm so serious) lol. Btw, if you're actually taking this part of my post seriously, be sure to walk the hike BEFORE proposing so you can feel it out and see if it's right for you. Also, tell your partner that you are taking them out to a really nice wine club/lunch so that way they get all dressed up (for the engagement photos). For those of you who are NOT interested in any of the above information and just want a solid review to read: I give Sonoma Botanical Garden a 3/5 rating because of the truly amazing staff who are putting love into keeping this space green, the LUSH, heavenly, zone I just mentioned above (that space is a 5/5), and the flower arch. At the same time, this garden needs more funding for caretaking (so if you can, donate)! PROS: Magical zone in the garden that takes you into another world (heaven possibly?), sweet staff, great cause! CONS: Other parts of the garden need more upkeep (specifically the rest of the lily pond that has a lot of algae in it). Of course, this requires funding. With more customers, this garden can dedicate more of their budget to taking care of this space. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised during my visit and want to come back here again to show all of my friends! Who knows? I may change the status quo and follow my own advice by proposing to my partner in this gorgeous space myself (maybe one day). Xoxo, -Linda read more

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Had a nice walk around the garden and the kids enjoyed the scavenger hunt. We spent about 2-3 hours here. We did stop to have a small picnic on one of the spaces that had tables near the trail. read more

Nice garden, relatively small and easy to walk around. With so many small trails leading off the main trail, you def can create your own adventure. Overall peaceful and relaxing. read more

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Established in 1987, Quarryhill Botanical Garden boasts the largest collection of Asian plants on Earth outside of the continent of Asia, and it happens to be tucked away in the quiet town of Kenwood. The weather wasn't quite appropriate for my visit, given the recent rain and what seems to be a longer winter than normal, however I can appreciate Quarryhill for its conservation efforts and the thought and care that goes into maintaining the grounds. There are a variety of different trees, shrubs, and flowers to see, and the grounds are a great spot to go birding, if your interests in nature lie beyond plant life. A flock of Canadian Geese were occupying a pond on the premises during our visit. Hummingbirds, crows, Western Scrub Jays, and more also made appearances. On our visit, we learned that a specific species of Magnolia had just bloomed in the Park, and it was the first time said species was documented outside of mainland Asia. It was neat witnessing a piece of history in the making, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to those who aren't plant enthusiasts. If you're in the area, it's an excellent place to go on a date, or to get outside and do a little walking while experiencing something that may be outside the norm for your average weekend excursion. Visit a little later in spring to maximize the views of the flowers, but you'll have a fun time no matter when you go, so long as it isn't pouring! read more

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Taking in all Sonoma has to offer in the form of delicious meals and endless wine glasses can get tiring! Thus, it was nice to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and get to know the nature around Glen Ellen and the Quarryhill Botanical Garden. We came by a couple days before the new years so there were definitely some barren plants and trees, but it was still very peaceful and beautiful in its own way. Definitely check out the Japanese style pagoda and bridges (highly recommend the view from #6 on the map!). The garden is super well kept and there are multiple paths to go on so it doesn't get too repetitive, and there are also plenty of benches/picnic tables throughout the grounds. We weren't in a hurry and walked around the whole thing in around an hour and a half. We are already planning our next trip to Sonoma and definitely would like to come back when everything is in full bloom! read more

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I really, really enjoyed this place. I had seen a pamphlet for it during one of my trips to Sonoma and made a point to check it out in April when I had a feeling the garden would be in full bloom. What a nice day I had here!! The surrounding hills were beautiful and what a nice drive to get there via Sonoma Hwy. It was a cloudy day but beautiful, nevertheless. There was fog rolling in over the hills and garden was in full bloom. Loved the lotus pond and small waterfalls. I had other places to be in Sonoma that after and sadly only spent about an hour here. However, I can easily see spending the better part of an entire afternoon there. One tiny complaint, lovely as this place is, $10 per person is a little steep for admission. There is no one collecting a fee-there is a sign sheet and slot to put your money in. I imagine they state $10, because unfortuntately, they have probably had some people who walked in without paying. It's all on the honor system. read more