San Diego Botanic Garden, Botanical garden in Encinitas, California.
The San Diego Botanic Garden is a botanical garden in Encinitas, California, that spans 37 acres with pathways connecting different plant zones and themed sections. The garden includes approximately 29 distinct garden areas, each showcasing different plant types and landscape styles.
Ruth Baird Larabee donated her private property to San Diego County in 1957, providing the starting point for what would develop into a public botanical garden. This initial gift grew into a nonprofit organization that opened the collections to visitors over time.
The garden serves as a meeting place where visitors walk through spaces reflecting how plants matter to people across different regions and traditions. The plantings show relationships between humans and the natural world in concrete, observable ways.
The garden is walkable and features clear pathways throughout all areas, so comfortable shoes are a good idea for spending a few hours there. Advance reservations are recommended to ensure entry, especially during busy periods.
The garden holds the largest public bamboo collection in the United States, with numerous species planted in dedicated groves throughout the grounds. Visitors encounter rare bamboo varieties that are not found in most other locations across North America.
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