Ruth Bancroft Garden

Ruth Bancroft Garden is a botanical garden in Walnut Creek that covers about 3.5 acres and contains thousands of plants adapted to dry conditions, such as agaves, aloes, and cacti. These species are arranged along winding pathways throughout the space, and the site also maintains a plant nursery offering regional species for purchase.

The garden was founded in 1971 by Ruth Bancroft on the site of a former agricultural farm. What was once a walnut and pear orchard gradually became a sanctuary dedicated to desert plants and dry-climate gardening.

The place demonstrates how people can design landscapes using plants that need minimal water, inspiring visitors to rethink their own gardens. Classes here teach locals and visitors how to grow plants suited to dry climates and changing weather patterns.

The garden is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and visitors can explore on their own or join guided tours. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended since the pathways, while well-maintained, wind through sloped terrain.

From November through January, the garden hosts the Garden of D'Lights event, where colored lights illuminate the plants throughout the space. This seasonal transformation turns the usual green landscape into a glowing light show, especially striking after dark.

Location: Walnut Creek

GPS coordinates: 37.92380,-122.03700

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42