Tim T and Yally did a great job telling us more about this beautiful garden. Was so excited to do the self-guided tour and enjoy the calm scenery. Plants were delight tolerant and blooming. Loved every minute of it! Can easily spend and hour or two here. read more

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This garden is a special place. Everyone working here was friendly and the garden is very well kept up. There is a mini butterfly garden and areas for children. The whole place was well maintained. Large outdoor amphitheater area. read more

Free admission second Friday of every month. Suggested donation of $5 per person. Parking lot at the main entrance is limited. People started to parallel along the curve but there are additional parking in rear. We spent a total of one hour following the dirt path to hit every station. Each area relates to landscaping and gardening. Such as compost, vegetation, irrigation, retaining walls, types of grass, plant size, pot size, etc. If you have kids, it'll take more than an hour because they will enjoy the children dirt play area and games. This place is very educational and has pretty flowers blooming everywhere. We enjoyed the butterfly pavilion and saw caterpillars. Also saw turtles eating. Pets are allowed. You may bring food and drinks for a picnic. Plenty of shade and tables. They do not sell food. On this particular event day, there were vendors with informational booths and hands on activities for the kiddos. Cookies and drinks were being offered based on donation. There's an amphitheater and gazebos. You also get free admission to Heritage of the Americas Museum. It's a short walk across the street by the amphitheater. read more

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I have seen this place grow so beautiful over the years. It has expanded in so many ways that I am continually coming back to visit. I like how all the landscaping is designed to complement Southern California's weather. If you are looking for landscaping ideas for your home or business, want to buy plants and flowers, check out the cute Giftshop for great gifts, and learn about Water Conservation tips living in Southern California, this is a peaceful and gorgeous place to visit and admire. Keep In mind the second Friday of each month, there is FREE Admission! A beautifully landscaped secret garden ready to explore! #sandiego #waterconservationgarden #southerncalifornia #gardening read more

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Great place for education for what plant in San Diego. If you haven't been you're missing out on the best garden in the county. Six acres of displays done in a way to give the public ideas on what they should plant in their own yard to save water!!! read more

We had my daughter's bridal shower at the Garden. So beautiful and the staff were so easy to work with and made the event almost seamless. I so appreciated working with Lauren and Tim and Hannah. It was a very special event for us and we are so happy to support this amazing Venue!!! read more

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Museum Month in San Diego has motivated me to seek out those museum that I have not yet visited. The Water Conservation Garden was one. It is very easy to find, and has ample parking. This musuem is a must-see for San Diego residents. Yes, there is an $8 or $10 admission fee, but the grounds are well-worth the money. A bargain, actually. My primary interests include succulents, cacti and semi-tropical flora. This musuem does not disappoint ! It is located on the grounds of Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego (El Cajon). Covering about six acres, the exhibits include a native plant garden, a vegetable garden, and even mulch and rocks displays. The Garden also features a native butterfly pavilion that is open spring and summer each year. However it was uninhabited when I visited, due to our winter season. There are a number of exhibits that are focused on entertaining children, and they are quite imaginative. Water conservation is stressed throughout. A nicely stocked souvenir store is located near the entrance, and dozens of succulents are displayed for sale outside in plastic containers or ceramic pots. Sadly, the noise from a nearby carwash invaded the serenity of the grounds. As botannical gardens rate, this one is very high on my list. read more

As soon as you turn left onto Cuyamaca College Drive make the first right before entering onto the school campus. (I complete missed the low blue sign and drove around campus for 20 mins- the worker at the horticulture building was kind enough to take me to where I was supposed to go. ) If you see 'student services' you've gone too far LOL. This was part of our https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/ membership so admission was free. The kids liked the scavenger hunt paper by the ticket booth. Dirt path thru the whole garden but we were ok with an umbrella stroller. Lots of shaded areas to sit and relax. The kids favorite spots were the tortoises, Jurassic garden and water surprise! Sadly no butterflies in the enclosure not even one! we were able to see more throughout the park. Stop by the freezer before you leave and make a donation to the popsicle fund. read more

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What a hidden gem! Did you know the second Friday of every month the Water Conservation Garden offers FREE ADMISSIONS? I didn't know until I looked at their webpage just to see what the admission costs would be since this was also my first time here so I did a little homework. Getting here is pretty easy! It's right next to Cuyamaca College, parking can be a little difficult if the lot is full inside but there's also street parking. Bathrooms are clean & there's water fountains. I'm not so sure about food but popsicles are free from donations. First off, I really love that the paths and trails are wheelchair/stroller accessible & friendly and that there were so many tables available for a quick picnic or snack. It's very peaceful here and great for all ages. The garden is very educational is so many ways, from plants to landscaping- I was only there for a quick little outing & did not get the chance to explore much but I'll definitely come back again. Here are some photos from my Friday morning. read more

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Beautiful botanical garden! Sooo much to see! Next time I definitely want to go when they have the tours. Also, went on a much cooler day. Great time. They were even setting up for a wedding, looked to be beautiful! Find the chocolate flower and give it a sniff! (My fav) The vegetable garden was my favorite part! They also have a butterfly enclosure. read more

Water Conservation Garden - Chocolate flower - Botanical Gardens Near Me - El Cajon, California

What a gorgeous, and relaxing, way to spend a day. I have come here a handful times with my children and regularly recommend to family and friends that they do the same. The gardens are beautifully manicured as well as educational. The grounds are broken up into different sections, each section with a designated learning experience discussing things like- drought friendly plants, fire safety around homes, different ways to plant and feed your greenery, etc. There is also a butterfly exhibit that comes alive every late spring and is so magical! The kids area, surrounded by tree tunnels, a tractor for climbing, and a Dino dig, is super engaging to my littles. I recently learned that the third Friday of every month js free so I plan to come more regularly! Lastly, be sure to check out their website, as they offer field trips, yoga classes, and other experiences on the grounds. read more

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The Garden recently reopened in June with a few changes. Admission is required for entry. $8 for adults, $5 for students, senior and military. Children age 3 and up are $4 and under age 2 are free. All staff were wearing masks and hand sanitizer was available all throughout the garden, strategically placed anywhere you have to touch a door handle or a gate. This was my first visit. I arrived on a Saturday right when it first opened. Lucky for us we had the garden to ourselves for the first 30 minutes. We probably spent almost 2 hours there taking our time strolling through the different paths and just enjoying being outside with nature. The highlights for me was the lily pond at the entrance, visiting the 3 tortoises, and the various water fountains. The butterfly garden was cool and I look forward to coming back when the butterflies are there. Of course the free ice cream is a bonus too :). There are succulents for sale that can be purchased at the gift shop and all reasonably priced. They host various events throughout the month which can be found on their website. Yoga is offered two times a week. Free for members and $12 for non-members. Next time I come back I will wear different shoes. Most of the garden is dirt beginning from the parking lot. Only various parts have cement. It definitely can get messy. The trails are flat and there isn't much incline anywhere. There was a few paths that had stairs/steps that you can't push a stroller on but for the most part the entire garden is accessible. Also I will be prepared with bug spray. Mosquitos were definitely on the hunt. I enjoyed my visit so much that I became a member. Now I have access to over 300 reciprocal gardens nationwide. This includes the Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park and the Encinitas Botanical Garden as well. Linda at the front desk was so helpful and so nice to us. She applied our day passes to our annual membership purchase and took the time to explain the programs available. Definitely worth a morning stroll and somewhere to enjoy with your family or little kids. read more

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A free (suggested $5 donation) botanic garden. This experience consists of several casual trails that take you through various gardens and exhibits focusing on beauty and drought tolerance. It took about an hour to see everything here but we also took another hour visiting the adjoining Heritage of the America's museum ( see tip below). Like with the San Diego Botanical Gardens there are many special events held here including kid programs, garden classes, and big events like Halloween trick or treating. Tip - The best experience here isn't the botanic garden, it's the Heritage of the America's museum next door. While you're in the botanic garden you can walk up stairs and visit the museum. The price is $3 per adult, kids free.. It's an approachable artifact and art collections of the Americas.. read more

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Looking for places to be outside during COVID and stumbled across this garden! It is open 9a-2p Tuesday to Sunday. From what I can tell, you used to be able to roam the garden for free, but since they re-opened, they do charge $8 for adults; Seniors, students & military $5; and $4 for those 3-17 yrs old. Plus, you get free ice cream with admission! Just help yourself! It was pretty nice and not many people at all! They had it decorated for the holidays. I think it would look really nice at night! There is a butterfly exhibit, but it's not the season, so you won't see any butterflies right now. They have different exhibits to check out so take your time to just stroll through the grounds. They have an area called Jurassic Garden and it looks like it's a play area for the little ones. There's even a John Deere vehicle for a photo op in front of Jurassic Park! You could probably do events here as it has a gazebo and an amphitheater. They even have picnic tables inside. They have a section of plants that you can touch. That was cool! There is this plant called big-lear lambs ears and I think I could touch it all day long. Super soft! There is topiary area. Now who doesn't like shrubs the shape of some animal? :-) Have you seen Edward Scissorhands? I really enjoyed my visit here! I would say we stayed about a couple hours walking around and taking pictures! I would totally come back! If you're in the area, check it out! read more

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Beautiful educational garden! We almost couldn't find it, then realized it's right next to Cuymaca College. Amazing space of greenery and butterflies, and mulch, and grass, and natives, and more natives and it's just glorious! We were sad to see the tortoises were not out on view, too chilly in Feb for them to be out. Loved walking through the wide variety of plants, trees and gardens. Peaceful, enjoyable and happy to see a little gift shop and clean bathrooms read more

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A pleasure to walk they their gardens and the staff is very pleasant and helpful. (A free ice cream sandwich for paid guests too!) My wife couldn't leave without purchasing some potted succulents as well. read more

Stopped by on our way to Alpine and super glad we did! Even before we got in we where greeted by super friendly staff. Each of the garden area where beautifully curated with interesting landscaping info and tips. Many picnic tables available if you'd like to bring your lunch (reminders everywhere to social distance and only 1 fam per bench). We ran out of time but would love to spend more time there if we're ever in the area (would consider becoming a member too if I lived closer). Biggest plus for us is that its dog friendly so we could bring our pup. Keep up the amazing job everyone at the garden! read more

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California natives, succulents, water wise plants...a must visit for plant nerds, garden and nature lovers. Aside from a beautiful garden, this place also provide helpful information on mulching, composting, designing....There are displays of different types of soil and how to correct it. Markers on every plants and well defined pathways. The lady who we spoke with is very knowledgeable and friendly. They offer classes here, just check out their website. This place has great resource for gardeners. Admission is free, they accept donations, ample parking, full of helpful information on gardening, what more does one want? read more

This place is only pleasant to walk around for a while and check things out, but it is also very informative. In fact, once a year I bring my third grade students hear for a study trip. If you are thinking of landscaping or xeriscaping your yard, this place is a must to visit before you start. Even if you are just planning to add a few plants to your garden, you should visit this place. Given that we import 90% of our water here in Southern California, it is important that we conserve water smartly. The Conservation Garden has a variety of ideas from drought tolerant plants to different types of ideas for mulches to use to help conserve water. They regularly have tours and demonstrations for the general public. They also have an on-sight nursery as well. read more

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I hadn't visited this garden in years, but was enticed by the lure of today's cost-free entrance. The air is especially fragrant here, and there are numerous benches and chairs on which to rest and from where you can survey the surroundings. Even though it was a free day, there were (unbelievably) no crowds, making this a wonderfully serene escape. The staff was exceptionally kind, and informative. I decided to become a member. read more

I've been here a few times with my kids, ages 1 and 3. It's very kid friendly. Lots of hands on exhibits and room to run around. They have a children's play area in the back which is super cute. It has a little house and sand pit with toys. We also love the amphitheater where the kids can run around on stage. The sensory garden and fairy garden are fun, and even the compost exhibit is fun. This place is great to come to when the kids need to get some energy out and you're up for a little walking, maybe some sitting lol. The place is stroller friendly, even though the paths are dirt. I've never been on the weekend so not sure how crowded it gets then but there's barely anyone during the week except for other moms with kids. We usually bring our lunch since there's plenty of nice places to sit and eat. They have a small parking lot and if it gets full, you can park anywhere, except in red areas. Dirt lot is open too. I wish they had more activities for kids, maybe once a month. I would even be willing to pay a few $$ for it - storytime, music n motion, hands on gardening, etc. But overall, we love this place. read more

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Fantastic garden with lots of cool plants a butterfly pavilion and so many examples of techniques on how to conserve water usage. It's pretty amazing and almost majestic. This place has all kinds of events and is a beautiful place for a wedding or any other special event! It's free and they accept donations. read more

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Amazing amazing amazing location! Our wedding here was gorgeous! We often visit the garden on a regular bases, but last weekend was so special. We have a lot of family with kids, and this place was the perfect setting for a kid friendly wedding. Children were running and roaming the garden all night. Our guest were able to embark on romantic strolls. There was enough space for everyone to feel safe and open while still remaining intimate. There was a wonderer who made it onto the premises once the garden was supposed to be closed. We paid a security fee, and this was the only instance we needed it and I couldn't find the member on staff to ask them to escort her out. So multiple guest had to ask her to leave the private event including myself. I took away one star because from the beginning there were communication conflicts with the onsite coordinator/finance. Transitioning positions, and coming beck from COVID I was understanding. Most communication between me and my vendors was done via email in order to keep a written record of expectations. The venue coordinator thought a phone conversation was best almost a year before the wedding, and then when it came down to it we were not on the same page about a few things that caused some last minute stress. Rehearsal dinner is an add on, there is no on site kitchen, the only staging room was also the bridal room (the nicer room was not to be used), I had planned on using the amphitheater and the day of they set up chairs for us to use the gazebo which was for our mocktail hour, the plants that are on rolling tables for sale during the garden hours were going to be left out on display which I thought was weird (also a garden employee said they were cleared out for her wedding so I assumed this was a common practice so there is more space for vendors to set up). All in all everything turned out great, I just would have felt better if I could have avoided some surprises. read more

Planning to start a garden but don't want to plant water hungry plants that will raise your water bill in drought prone SoCal? Most people don't realize that the biggest water guzzler in most SoCal homes isn't inside the house, but outside in the form of lush grasses that were adapted for cooler and wetter climates. When you are ready to shed your lawn addiction and ready to start a garden that makes fiscal and environmental sense, then visit the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. There is no admission to enter and you will learn a lot more about water conservation landscaping and techniques than you would visiting your local Home Depot. Do not start dropping money on landscaping projects and irrigation systems until you after you visit this great resource. At the Water Conservation Garden, you will find various displays of water-wise flora and irrigation systems. They will also provide classes and tours, and they provide the information in a way that is hands on and very family friendly. Even your kids will have fun visiting. Twice a year, during March and May, they will offer plant sales that offer a wide variety of plants adapted to our our arid climate. Among the plants available are California natives, Mediterranean climate plants, and a wide variety of cactus and succulents. The gift shop also sells succulents in unique pottery made by the volunteers that run the place year round. My favorite sections of the garden include the section that shows you how large a tree will grow, the outdoor amphitheater and the succulent plantings. If you follow the path that winds through the garden, you will be able to read and even touch and smell all the useful landscaping tips they have to offer. The kids will be entertained with the topiary and giant sculptures. Its like a botanical garden and amusement park rolled into one. The only downside to this place is that's its in El Cajon and a bit of a drive from San Diego. With gas prices so high these days, make sure to bring a group with you on your visit. It should be mandatory that every city in SoCal should have a display garden like this. It can also get very hot during the summer months. I would recommend visiting the garden between Winter and Spring. Parking is free and plentiful, except during the twice a year plant sales. read more

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The kids love this place! Giant pencil sculpture, giant pipe with pond and critters in it, moving water thingies, a path with hidden woodland creature sculptures and a play cabin, plus lots of nature. Oh, and you can also learn how to use water-wise plants. Or just enjoy the gardens. There are also various workshops throughout the year. We had a landscape plan done for free one year, but then we moved so we couldn't implement it. read more

Great place to bring your family or to go on your own for a quite and relaxing walk. It has many beautiful sitting areas and a picnic area. Kids activities and gift shop with unique and beautiful gifts. Free entrance, with a suggested donation of $5. Kids activities and many areas for portrait pictures read more

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This place is adorable! My husband had to come here for a college course and we're pretty pumped about it-- we had no idea this place even existed! It's so much larger than it even seems from the front, you could spend a good hour wandering around, checking out the exhibits and reading the signs (informative and incredibly interesting). If you have ANY intention of landscaping your own garden/ yard in a beautiful and eco-friendly way, please come here first. We lowly apartment renters can only dream, but those of you with yards would really benefit from a visit here. We came in the morning so it was pretty quiet/ empty, but I can imagine it would be beautiful and quite romantic at night, what with the beautiful trees and twinkly lights. I'm thinking date night, people... read more

Water Conservation Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - El Cajon, California

Such a beautiful peaceful serene place! And you can even bring your dog! Wedding ceremonies too! The people that volunteer there have amazing spirits that for the atmosphere! It's free but donations are welcomed and appreciated. read more

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A beautiful oasis right in our backyard! The garden is a hidden gem honestly. Lovely staff, beautiful trails to walk, so much exploring for the kiddos, educational info and more. It's a must if you need a little break or want to learn more about native and water conserving plants. read more

As a firm believer in sustainable living, the Water Conservation Garden (WCS) is a great exercise in how we can make a huge difference in the world around us each day. The WCS has diverse displays ranging from container gardening, alternative choices for lawns, a native SoCal garden, and a gorgeous succulent garden - and of course everything in between. Their theme as the name implies is water - why it's important, where it comes from, and how we can do a better job managing the precious resource that we have. A friend told me about the garden and I'm glad that I stopped by to check it out; however, I'm mad at myself for not knowing about it sooner as I've been in the San Diego area awhile now and this was my first visit to the WCS. The best surprise is that they have an annual butterfly festival (which I missed by several weeks), but the grounds alone are well worth a visit attracting a variety of birds and butterflies beyond those released during the festival. The garden is also a great place for a picnic with kids as they have tables all along the trail and a playground setup so the little ones can burn off some energy. As to the butterfly festival - I'll be back next year to check out the event. My calendar is already marked. - Enjoy read more

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A gorgeous gem of a garden tucked away across the street from a shopping plaza in El Cajon. I've been coming here for about 8 years to marvel at the beauty and abundance of drought-tolerant plants. If you're looking to switch out your water-greedy landscaping for something more earth-friendly, I highly suggest taking a stroll through this lovely garden to get ideas. I've normally gone on weekdays to walk through and take photos. Sometimes it can be extremely quiet and peaceful; however, it seems to be an understandably popular spot for field trips, so it can also be quite loud and over-run with groups of kids depending on the day. I'm sure during school breaks and the summer that isn't really an issue. It's not huge, but just large enough to feel justified in having a $5 suggested donation box as you enter. All the employees I've encountered have been friendly; there's a gift shop that sells books, garden ornaments, and potted plants; there's even a somewhat new butterfly pavilion. I highly suggest checking it out and finding all the lovely surprises as you walk along the paths. read more

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Such a hidden gem! This place was beautiful nice and relaxing they play lord of the rings music and make you feel like your in hobbiton. Also free ice cream and a butterfly garden! read more

I love visiting the gardens here! There is so much beauty. I took my daughter to their Butterfly Festival and we both really enjoyed it, especially seeing the Butterfly exhibit. read more

If you enjoy waking, looking at various plants of all kinds, this is the place to be to enjoy a pleasant hour. There is a lot of garden areas which gave us ideas for our own yard. It's assisted with volunteers and a donation box, a small price to pay for something cool. read more

Free. Pretty. Picture spot. Turtle spotting. Ampitheater to run around. Love this little spot.

Growing up almost anywhere in California you know all about droughts and how we're supposed to conserve water. We all know about all the tricks inside the home but what about the great outdoors? This garden provides many working examples and applicable ideas on how to grow/ maintain a functional garden while conserving water. I can tell you this place is an eye opening crash course education and proof that function and vanity can coexist. Plus it also turns out its an excellent place to take kids who are under the age of 6 or so. The outline of this place is a leisurely stroll along the grounds. Low water plants, water systems, native plants and plant alternatives are all highlighted along the course as well as hands on exhibits such as a compost pile, a smell garden and a small house and trail for really little kids. Pretty sights such as the gazebo area and the bird and butterfly garden give you another reason to bring a camera. There is even a "potted plant garden" which can put overly inspired ideas in the brain of an apartment dweller like myself. The gift shop has some interesting items (and a healthy children's section that has plenty of age appropriate items for kids up to about ten)and features a plant sale a couple items a year. The garden is open to the public 9 to 4 seven days a week with longer hours in the summer. Go before you remodel the yard. read more

This is really two reviews in one~ but in both cases, the Garden gets 5 stars. The garden itself is lovely, curated perfectly, with many cozy spaces as well as really informative displays for both children and adults. It's one of the best I've seen. The gift shop has both charming little knic-knacks and helpful resources for local gardeners and nature-lovers. My daughter was recently married there and I listened to rave after positive rave from guests regarding the venue. Her experience with garden staff pre-event was delightful, as was mine as we ended the evening. They are helpful, professional, and very nice. I'm thinking of a reason to use the venue again. It's perfect in every way, even on a day that was crazy hot. read more

I ventured out to the Garden during one of their festivals. This is a nice little gem in Rancho SD. Admission is free and the trails are pretty. It makes for a cool zen spot. On the other hand, if you opt not to zen out and bring the kids instead, they can enjoy it too. There are little activities at the exhibits that are hands-on. There's a cool little section of "touch and smell" plants like lavender and lamb's ear. If you go during one of their festivals, they give out lots of free info including free landscaping consultations (bring your yard dimensions). Also, if you don't already know, East County is wicked hot in the summer time. Bring water. read more

Hey locals. This is in your backyard. While you're in the stripmall across the street, there's a really cool place to come check out. It's a 5 minute or 4 hour kind of place. Fun to talk, great place to learn about our own ecology. Plenty of back yard ideas, new ways, old ways and ways you never heard of. Check it out... you'll feel surprised you never saw it before. read more

This is a demonstration garden that shows examples of drought tolerant landscapes. It is set up like a nice park, it is a relaxing place to hang out. There are benches to sit on and enjoy the well maintained garden. It is a bit out of the way, so I don't end up here too often. read more