UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden

"I've come here ever since I was a small child. I love it here! So many beautiful plants. I love hearing all the birds. Sometimes you see little families of quail walking around. It's peaceful and beautiful and just a great place to take a walk, take some pictures, read, picnic, sketch, etc. Love it here! And they do a free community day once a month. Definitely worth checking out!"

"A nice collection of plants from various Mediterranean climates. The succulents and the Australian collection were my favorites. I didn't pick up much scent in the "Fragrance Garden", but perhaps it was the wrong time of year. It was interesting to see how many varieties of Australian Banksia there were, all with oddly shaped large flowers. The geodesic domes from the 70's were also cool to peek inside. Also a nice place for a picnic, tables and benches are at various points throughout the garden."

"Interesting botanical garden that specializes in plants that live in marine influenced dry climates, like coastal California, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand etc. Lots of very unusual and unique plants and trees, some of which are for sale. We visited midweek and it was uncrowded. Hear it can be a zoo on weekends. This garden, like others, needs to be seen several times a year due to different bloom times and leaf color variations. I will definitely return."

"An amazing array of exotic flora which pleases the eye yet sets you at ease in such a peaceful setting. I especially like the Aroma Garden, the visitor is guided into an inticing display of succulents, including agave and cacti with scents, colors and textures, all friendly and inviting. I went with a friend and we enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the New Zealand section, saw a few Alligator lizards, rabbits and birds. Overall it was a fun experience and I will definitely be back to do it again."

"The Arboretum is always a pleasant place to walk around. I'm a member and try to drop by every month or so to see what's blooming. The main areas feature plants and trees from South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. There's also a nice succulent garden from which you can get a view of the Monterey Bay."