University of California Botanical Garden

The University of California Botanical Garden is a 34-acre site in the Berkeley Hills with over 13,000 plant species. These are arranged in geographical sections, including Mediterranean, Asian, and Australian collections that show how plants grow in different climates.

The garden's founding dates to 1890, when the University of California established it as a center for plant research. Professor E.L. Greene played a key role in collecting Pacific Coast plants, laying the foundation for today's collection.

The garden reflects generations of commitment to gathering and documenting plants from around the world. Visitors see today how different regions of Earth are represented through their plant life and the work involved in maintaining such a collection.

The garden is located in the Berkeley Hills and is easily reached from the parking area, with walking paths leading through the different sections. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and expect varying weather conditions depending on the season, as the collection spreads across elevation changes.

The collection houses several endangered plant species that are otherwise difficult to see, and maintains specialized habitats like a redwood grove. These rare environments allow visitors to explore ecosystems found nowhere else in the region.