Are you looking for a fun, cheap and romantic date for your Valentine in Southern California? I have 4 beautiful botanic gardens that you and your sweetie can visit for $30 and under. The best part about these gardens? Most of them don’t charge you for parking and one even has a restaurant on site. Stay tuned for the garden that I consider the best in Los Angeles, while we start with the least expensive option. Keep in mind that these gardens are only open during the daytime hours and usually close around 4 or 5 pm. Some of these gardens have a native California garden section, including ‪@descansogardens8887‬ and the California Botanic Garden only features California native plants and cultivars. These California garden tours are going to be a featured part of @CaliforniaGardenGoddess, so make sure to like and subscribe for more spring gardening 2024 content. These gardens feature some of the best plants to grow in California, as well as new perennials for your 2024 garden.
The first botanic garden is the only garden on this list that has a suggested donation of $5 versus an admission fee. @FullertonArboretum is the only garden on my list located next to a university. You can find snacks and fresh seasonal fruit for sale at the entrance, and picnicking is welcome on the grounds. I love the different water features and gorgeous gardens spread across the 26 acres. This is the only garden on my list that charges money for parking. The Fullerton Arboretum is located in Orange County next to Cal State Fullerton, so you’ll have to pay $2 per hour for parking or $10 for the entire day.
The next garden on my list is also in Orange County, but is much closer to the coast. Sherman Library and Gardens @theshermangardens in Corona Del Mar charges $5 admission per person, but is well worth the cost since there is so much attention to detail. The Sherman Library and Gardens feature over 100 species of palms from around the world and 130 unique begonia varieties. I really enjoy the koi pond and orchid collection, and you’re right on the coast so you can enjoy a beach day. There is a restaurant on site; check for prices and reservations.
Third on my list is the California Botanic Garden, @Californiabotanicgarden, I’ve featured in another video that you can watch after you’re done picking the right garden for your Valentine. This garden, located in Claremont, California is perfect if you love California native plants or want to learn more about natives, because the California Botanic Garden only displays native plants or cultivars. I loved spotting both this beautiful male Costa’s hummingbird and this gorgeous butterfly hanging out on a leaf when I visited last week. You’ll spot tons of native pollinators at California Botanic Garden. I have a membership to this garden so that I can keep coming back to document the different times that California native plants bloom. California Botanic Garden costs $10 per person for admission but parking is free.
This last botanic garden is the most expensive on my list, but I also believe it offers a great value and is the closest garden to LA. Descanso ‪@descansogardens8887‬ in La Canada Flintridge is worth the $15 admission per person. Descanso Gardens has the largest grounds of the four gardens that we’ll be talking about today, and there’s really something for the entire family. Right now, the camellias are blooming and the train should be running, but check before you go. Camellias need a little special care in Southern California and the camellias in Descanso Gardens are planted under towering oak trees that give them shade. I love how detailed camellias look and the petals are so beautiful, even when they’ve fallen on the ground. Someone even took the time to make this gorgeous little heart.
I’m planning to visit these gardens on a regular basis so I can send out a bloom alert to my subscribers. If you want to see more content about California native plants and these beautiful gardens, don’t forget to hit that like and subscribe button for good planting karma and 20% increase in blooms.
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