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    UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

    4.7 (345 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    By appointment only

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    Beautiful setting here.  Great picture spot.
    Joel H.

    We came to the UC BG with our family. The trip here was designed for our grandchildren and this was a great spot to walk around with everyone for a while. It is a short ride from their home (and where we were staying) and there was plenty of parking [for a very nominal fee.] You enter through the main gates and immediately see the splendor of all the beautiful plants, flowers and trees. We were here in November so plants were at a minimum and did not venture into the greenhouses around. The trails they have set up are wonderful. For people who cannot climb steps there are plenty of places to walk and also plenty of benches around to relax around the nature. There was also a large field to relax in. The trails were set up by regions and the displays were perfect. I am looking forward to a return trip and as a photographer I look forward to all the great photo opportunities.

    In their December newsletter, the UC Botanical Garden offered wreath-making classes, as well as a kit to "make your own wreath" (kits being available for pick up on December 12th). Pick up was easy. The entrance staff checked my name on their list, then directed me to a large bin with individually-wrapped bundles of greens which I could choose. Close by was another bin of paper bags containing a wire wreath frame, tying wire, miscellaneous pine cones, and instructions for creating the wreath. They offered to have a staff person come to the entrance to talk me through the process, but I figured the printed instructions would probably be sufficient (and I could always hunt for wreath creating videos on YouTube)! Regarding assembly: the full-color instructions provided were easy to follow, and within an hour my wreath was completed! There about ten different varieties of greens provided, more than enough to complete the wreath, with extra for a table decoration. I did a couple of personal "add-ons;" a small strand of battery-operated red fairy lights (with a timer) that I secured on the back, as well as a red bow (photo attached). I'm pleased with how it turned out, funky and original. Not only did I help support the botanical gardens, but I bought "locally." Win-win! Perhaps next year, the instructions could include pictures/descriptions of the various greens provided? That information would be much appreciated and could reinforce the garden's educational nature!

    Yvette M.

    We arrived later in the day and didn't realize that the Botanical Gardens closed at 5pm and the Redwood Grove and Glass houses closed at 4pm. We paid the entrance fee of $18, which is free for UC Berkeley staff and students. No reservations were needed and since we arrived at 3pm, it was pretty mellow. The Redwood Grove is a separate entrance with a code and included in the price, but since we started at the Botanical Gardens, it was closed by the time we finished. The gardens are beautiful and the wide variety of plants, amazing. We were able to see many plants in bloom, including the blue Puya, which apparently takes 6-8 years to bloom. The medicinal garden was fun to walk and read through. Make sure to check out the carnivorous collection in the greenhouse. Some are sold near the gift shop as well. A climate controlled greenhouse with a variety of amazing cacti is also a must see. There are many places to sit and a grassy area that would be great for a picnic. Definitely a relaxing, educational, and beautiful garden that's worth the visit. A parking lot, along with an overflow lot is available. The pay station was out of order when we visited, so parking was free.

    Rose L.

    Good place to cry your eyes out, talk about deep feelings, and picnic! If you're more of a botanist (I'm not) there are fun plants to really check out that are plain crazy looking! I love the Madagascar plants personally. During wet season there are NEWTS! They breed in the lake next to the Japanese section. There are also events and plant sales going on! EBT - $3 UC Berkeley student - Free

    African garden

    I would give it 10 stars if I could!! Beautiful, clean, huge garden with thousands of different plants, trees, and flowers. Great use of space- so much to see you can hours looking around. My boyfriend and I loved the African Garden, Japanese pond, and Chinese medical garden (so unique! haven't seen this in any other botanical garden) You can see newts swimming around. Perfect place for a date, family outing, or a solo stroll.

    Constance L.

    Pretty garden with tons of stuff to see! I especially enjoyed the Redwood Grove across the street -- it was so serene and felt so isolated from the rest of the city. I also loved that the garden is tiered and has multiple "levels," which makes things a lot more interesting and feels more interactive than if you were to just walk down a paved path. You're encouraged to make a reservation online, although we were able to purchase tickets in person. Regular admission is $15, and seniors/students pay $12. Docking a star because the parking situation is a rough. The parking lot attendant was unnecessarily aggressive, yelling and making us to turn around even though there were empty spots in the lot. We had to head up the windy road to another set of parking lots and take a shuttle down to the garden, which leaves every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the day. A good number of the greenhouses were also closed or blocked off to visitors.

    Maximiliano G.

    Had a great time coming here on a beautiful weekend day! The garden is pretty big and the plants/trees are separated by region. I really enjoy the terrain, some of the pathways are flat and paved, others are hilly and up stairways, and some are dirt. Along with this, some areas are very cool and breezy and others are more open and warmer. It's just a very great place to walk around and get to experience the diverse plant/tree life on Earth. Plus, it's pretty big so it feels like you're there by yourself even though there are dozens of other people in the garden (only passed by other guests a few times) so it's a great place to relax and clear your mind. In terms of parking, there is ample parking at the lot across the street ($1.50/hr). I walked around the garden leisurely and was able to see everything in around 2.5 hours but there are a lot of benches and tables (and a grassy open area) so you could definitely stay for a lot longer. Definitely come here if you enjoy walks/nature/plants/trees!!!

    UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
    John D.

    Flower Supply Established in 1890, this 34-acre botanical garden, located on the UC Berkeley campus, features one of the most disparate collections of trees, flowers, flora and fauna we've ever encountered. Initially, we were a little suspicious of this place charging $15/per to visit, but after just a few minutes, we realized it was worth every penny. The Good: *As mentioned above, with over 10,000 types of plants--many of which are rare and endangered--your mind will boggle at the sheer diversity. *Despite the sheer number of plants, it is actually quite an organized mess with all the plants being sorted by continent and/or country of origin. *Docents are very well-informed and friendly. *All the plants have signage that tells you the botanical name, scientific name and area of origin. There's also an indicator (red dot) if the plant is endangered or rare. *Be sure to visit the Mather Redwood Grove adjacent to the garden (you'll need a code to enter) and bring a lunch to enjoy amongst the redwoods! The Meh: *Road to get here is a bit hinky, but just go with it. *Unless you're a member, you MUST have a pre-purchased ticket with a specific time to enter. I'm guessing this is a Covid Policy holdover, which is slightly annoying. However, we had no issue buying tickets for an early weekend sojourn. *Speaking of The 'Rona®, if you're still a bit covid shy, I def recommend bringing a mask for when you're in the greenhouses. Warm, damp environments are viruses' best friends. *You have to pay for parking, as well as your ticket. They charge $1.50/hr, I believe, if memory serves. *There's a chance the Mather Redwoods could be closed if there's an event being held there. The Ugly: *For the most part, the walking paths around the garden are in rough shape. I highly recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes and def don't try and push a stroller around unless it's a beefy off-road type like a Bob® Ironman™. TLDR: Spectacular garden that's unlike any we've ever seen. It's definitely a must-see for nature and plant lovers alike.

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    I had a lovely time. Remember to where comfortable shoes. This location was bigger than I thought it was.

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    Wow what a spectacular place. Gorgeous plants and great docents. Lots to see and learn. Highly recommend

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    Ask the Community - UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

    Do we have to take prior permissions for mini photoshoots?

    Photos without equipment are allowed in the Garden without seeking permission. Admission is required; please stay out of plant beds.… Read more

    Do I have to pay if I only want to go into the Redwood Grove?

    The Redwood Grove is across the street from the paid area of the UC Botanical Garden; I don't think you have to pay to get in. However, the one time we tried going there, it was reserved for a wedding photo shoot and they asked us to leave.

    Do they decorate for the holidays?

    Hi there! We don't decorate for the holidays, to leave the Garden as a naturalistic setting. We do have a number of holiday related programs and events, though. You can see what's available on our website. Thanks for the question!

    Is food/drinks allowed? Thanks

    Yes-I've brought snacks or eaten a picnic lunch there-I've seen others bring food/drink in also. No signs posted that you can't...

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

    My favorite areas of the gardens were the Redwood Grove, Deserts of America, and Crops of the World Garden.

    Mentioned in 57 reviews

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    The Berkeley Rose Garden - The Berkeley Rose Garden

    The Berkeley Rose Garden

    (270 reviews)

    North Berkeley

    Visited today with BB -- our first time here. We definitely picked the wrong season, as most of the…read moreroses have already been pruned. Even so, the garden itself is peaceful and well maintained. What really stood out was the view -- you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the garden, which is beautiful and unexpected. There's also a constant sound of rushing water nearby (not sure if that's always there), but it added to the calm and made the few roses still in bloom more enjoyable. The garden is wheelchair accessible, though I will note the hill leading up to the entrance is very steep. They do have public restrooms and tennis courts on site, which is nice. Street parking only -- and be careful, cars come around the bend quickly. Overall, even though we missed peak bloom season, it was still worth the visit for the views and the atmosphere. I'd love to come back in the spring when everything is in full bloom.

    This is a great spot for a quiet time of reflection and a stroll among some beauty. The roses were…read morein bloom many spots while we were there, and the benches along the edges gave both spots for stopping and places for reflection. I loved the set up and how you could get close to many of the blooms, as well as see all of the space from the top of you weren't inclined to walk around. They have a water feature at the bottom and some other aspects that helped add to the tranquility. It was a lovely visit and I would highly recommend going there often if you are in the area or live close.

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    Berkeley Hills

    This park is just really cool. On afternoons and weekends it's usually packed full of people. It…read morecan be hard at times to find a parking spot but shouldn't be too difficult to park on a side street if needed. There are several parts to this park. One is a flat area with a play scape and a cement slide. There's actually a tunnel nearby that goes under the road and crosses over to the rose garden, which is really cool. The cement slide is a must see for anyone with kids and even if you're an adventurous adult. There are plenty of cardboard boxes around for you to try it out. When I first heard about the cement slide, I didn't think it would be very fun, (cement and sliding didn't go together in my mind) but it is great! Then just a little bit south, above that play scape area, there's a baseball field. So many different people come here to meet. Some people for picnics, some people play soccer, some people play softball, some people bring their dogs. And then inside the woods behind the park, there are a picnic benches. I have a friend who had her wedding reception there. You can reserve them with the city. And then behind the picnic area, there's a hike and if you're very adventurous, there is a waterfall hidden, but it's not easy to find if you don't know about it. I highly recommend this park. During the winter, the baseball field is blocked off with Fence to protect the grass but other parts of the park are accessible.

    Nice park, good playground for toddlers, and for babies, nice large grassy area, sort of a mini…read morehike to walk around, some barbecue / camping table spots, right next to the rose garden, bathrooms.

    D Garcia's Landscaping - Pavers, stone fire pit with cap, wooden seating bench, deck installation project.

    D Garcia's Landscaping

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    D Garcia Landscaping completed a large fence project for us and we are extremely happy with the…read moreresults! This was a technically challenging project involving a steep hill and very mature redwood roots. Standout qualities of this company are: 1. Ease of quoting process Before coming out in person, they were able to give us a ballpark price based on dimensions, fence type, and site images. This allowed me to decide whether to move forward and I thought this was really respectful of my time. Then, Dago, the owner, came for the site visit and to discuss details. 2. No bait and switch In ironing out the details, there was some miscommunication about whether staining was included. Dago was able to meet us halfway with the price increase. This honest business style continued throughout the project and no change orders or unexpected price increases happened. 3. Detail oriented Throughout the project, we discussed details such as fence posts placement relative to tree roots, post height, etc. Dago was both available in person and by email via his assistant Maria. It was also nice to have responses confirmed in writing so that things were clear and there would be no bait and switch. 4. Personality Dago is a really nice person and I enjoy speaking with his about his geriatric dogs, etc. This also helped me not feel anxious about the project, because I felt that I could trust him. For this fence, we received multiple quotes. Two companies were in the $9-10K range, another was around $12K, and an outlier was above $20K. Dago's price was the lowest quote (with minute differences in material) and we are very glad we went with him!

    Dago and his team are amazing! They have been maintaining our yards in El Sobrante for a few years…read moreand always to a wonderful job. They are friendly, and always go above and beyond. Recently, we had them to a full conversion/remodel of our backyard from awful weeds to nice natural grass, with an irrigation system, mulch, and tasteful plants. I was amazed with both how well it came out, and how affordable the project was! I would HIGHLY recommend using Dago Garcia's team for either regular yard maintenance, or any yard project you have in mind. Dago has decades of experience and knows exactly what he is doing- he is super friendly and helped us with great ideas. Give Dago a call!

    Joe Bob Garden Service - Sidewalk after

    Joe Bob Garden Service

    (58 reviews)

    So glad to have found Lauchlan to help out with ambitious tree trimming services! He came out with…read morereasonable estimates, used his expert eye to cut back branches to open up spaces and left areas very tidy. His communication is prompt, professional and friendly. He's helped out twice and been very responsive. Highly recommend Lauchlan's work and appreciate him extending his service zone to the weekend to do work in busy SF!

    We needed help cleaning up our front yard and making it low-maintenance while still looking nice,…read moreand Lauchlan & his team were fantastic from start to finish. He came out to assess the space and gave us a straightforward, transparent quote that was very reasonable. As we considered what to do, he recommended great options that worked for our goals and budget. Once we decided, he scheduled the work and even sent helpful reminders leading up to the day. On the day of the project, Lauchlan was extremely communicative, providing updates throughout. He even went above and beyond, adding extra landscaping fabric he had on hand to our median strip at no cost and removing a dead bush root without charging us. They also cleaned up some weeds that were growing in the cracks of the driveway and helped soften a pre-existing slope in our yard. The whole process was quick, friendly, and stress-free, and our front yard has never looked better. Highly recommend Lauchlan if you want someone who's skilled, communicative, and genuinely cares about their work!

    Garden Mamas - Tamara Qirreh, Owner, tree hugger and plant lover.   Bringing people outdoors to enjoy their own personal oasis, one plant at a time.

    Garden Mamas

    (15 reviews)

    We hired Garden Mamas to maintain our mature hillside garden. While we thought it a bit strange…read morethat we had a different crew out most every time, we were assured by Tamara that she had communicated what needed to be done - she was managing the crew. This method seemed to work mostly, although we had to tell the crew each visit what to do, as mostly instructions had been partially communicated. One day, she sent two new people. We told them to trim two bushes on the stairwell and to pick up the leaves, nothing else. This was also communicated to Tamara a few days prior, but like most times, the crew seemed clueless as to what to do. When they were done and had left, we discovered that they had BUTCHERED our garden - most of five++ years of growth was cut away and in a most unappealing fashion. Her crew ripped out plants that a previous crew had installed only a month prior, had trimmed four bushes that were covering an unsightly wall into lollipop shapes, completely exposing the wall, trimmed new growth off of once per season budding plants without any care for shape or aesthetics, butchered slow growing manzanita plants that may never recover, etc etc etc. We were appalled and contacted her. Tamara responded to our concerns, but would not or could not take personal or financial responsibility for making us whole. She told us that the crew she sent was inexperienced and had never worked on a personal, mature garden (only on storage facilities and office complexes), and that she did not have the $$ to replace the plants destroyed or to pay for someone else to replace the plants (as we told her that we could not work with her anymore). We thought about going to the CSLB so that we could at least recover her bond, but did the time/money calculus and finally settled on her paying for two plants to be replaced, at another landscaper's wholesale cost (approx $500). So far, it has cost us over $10000 to get the garden back to where it was, and it will take a few years for it to look as good as it did prior to November 2025. We tried to support this independent, woman-owned business; but her model of a different crew every time coupled with an inability to run her business in a fiscally responsible manner makes it impossible for us to recommend her to ANYONE

    I hired Garden Mamas to do our landscaping at the recommendation of one of my friends. Tamara was…read moregreat to work with - very communicative and worked within our budget. The project was completed within the time she estimated. Invoicing/payment process was clear and easy. I provided photos of the types of plants I liked (from other people's yards) and they provided a list of recommendations with descriptions and pricing as well as placement suggestions. I appreciated Tamara checking in on me a a few times after they planted to see how things were going and reminding me to turn off the water during the rainy season. It's seven months later and I am still enjoying admiring and tending to my plants as they grow.

    UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - gardens - Updated May 2026

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