I highly recommend coming to this beautiful spot. Not only does it have great views of the bay in some locations but the diverse amount of plants here is amazing. I definitely need to come back to visit the rose garden area during full bloom. I could only imagine how a photo would look under the arch. I was a bit jealous of the couple that brought food and was eating at the picnic table underneath the bamboo-- highly recommends. Considering there are some uphill areas, I appreciated how many benches were present throughout for those that may want to take a breather. The fountain near the Asian gardens was beautiful, especially on a clear day. The Arid House and Xerophytic Fern Display had some really cool plants and great information/background on them. It definitely is huge so recommend bringing comfortable shoes, water, hat, and some good energy! Definitely suggest this place for a family and anyone looking to enjoy some nature! I'm excited to come back to have a picnic with my friends or read a book at one of the benches. read more

See all

Took my 14 yr old autistic grandson here a few Saturdays ago. He absolutely loved it, was very helpful to his 73 yr old grandmother going up and down the hills. We did become a little lost, guess we should take a compass next visit. It also happened to be a plant sale day. So it was fun letting him select 2 plants. Gardening is a great outlet for him:-) read more

It was our first time at UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, and it happened to be one of the hottest day. We were sweating since there was not too much shade here. The garden was well maintained, with plants flourishing from all over the world. The garden was beautiful and had wide variety of plants. We were able to see many plants in bloom. We had to park at the overflow lot which was available, and they had a shuttle which is very convenient. We had to pay for parking at the pay station. There's a place where you can purchase plants, cold water, and snacks. Cold water helps a lot when you go on a hot day. I would recommend people to bring lots of water and put plenty of sunscreen. read more

See all

Amazing gardens! Bring a picnic and stay the day. Everywhere you look flowers and beautiful plants. Hills and uneven paths. Great fun for the whole family. Pond with red newts in the Asian garden area. Plenty of shade. read more

See all

What a treat to visit this magnificent botanical garden while we were in California! It was wonderful to visit countries via the flora grown there on our walk - Asia, Australasia, California, Deserts of the Americas, Eastern North American, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, South America, South Africa, Crops of the World, Herb Garden, Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden, Garden of Old Roses and Tropical House. Lots of water features throughout the Asian gardens. Hubby recognized some of what was in South America where he used to live. This place is huge! Definitely get your walking steps in if you do all of it. One of my favorite parts was seeing the Alstromeria en masse. I love these flowers because they have the longest staying power in bouquets from the florist here. You cannot grow them here though. Absolutely stunning! I would recommend it to anybody! read more

See all

Man, 4.5 years of attending Cal and I'm embarrassed that I never been to the UC Botanical Gardens. I was so focused on surviving grad school and finding work afterwords that I never stopped to smell the roses. I am glad to finally visit the Garden over a sunny March afternoon with the wife. Its definitely 5-star. In a few hours you can enjoy the beauty, science, and yes lots of steps that UC Gardens have to offer. PARKING: Although they have a pay lot, it fills up quickly. We had to park near Lawrence Hall of Science for $1/hour and hike downhill (and later uphill!) for 15 minutes (~0.7 miles). Be sure to photograph your license plate, NOT the parking stall number. FEE: $12 is very reasonable. Plan on spending 2-3 hours here to maximize the fun. Note they have picnic grounds and an indoor conference center with restrooms, seating, and outlets. INDOOR GARDENS: I enjoyed the Cactus room - all shapes and sizes of these thorny plants from different deserts across the world. One was shaped like a gigantic mask while another looked like it had blonde hair! Another cool exhibit had carnivorous plants. Venus Fly Traps are cool but wait till you see some of those Pitcher Plants. The real big ones can even catch rodents! OUTDOOR GARDENS: You don't get a sense of how big this place is until you arrive and wander the perimeters. They literally have gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world. My favorites were the Herb gardens and seeing all the colorful magnolias and rhododendrons. The Chinese Herb Garden is especially hilarious since each type of herb cures a particular ailment in gory detail. You can definitely get your steps in wandering outside. FACILITIES: Thankfully, they have clean restrooms here, especially inside the Conference Center which is great for meetings and events. I saw one group set up a buffet lunch here. They also have picnic grounds outside and plenty of wooden benches to take a break. read more

See all

Probably the most unique botanical garden I have been to because of the redwoods which was located outside the garden and gated with a code that you can get from the ticket booth. I felt like I went to Redwoods National Park once I stepped into the area. The main garden was also very beautiful and peaceful and a great place for a stroll even in the winter. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

We were in Oakland for a wedding, and our "next day" activity was a visit to the Botanical Garden. It was amazing. Beautiful walks, plants segmented into regions of the world, and the carnivorous plants (think venus fly trap) greenhouse was fascinating. Way too much to see in about 2 1/2 hours (we also had a late lunch group planned), but definitely worth it. The wedding couple had also never been here even though they lived in Oakland, and felt the same as above, so one of the other wedding guests bought them a longer term pass. read more

The UC Botanical Garden is absolutely breathtaking. If you have an appreciation for plants and their origins, this is the place for you. Due to COVID-19, you need to place your reservations online, but it was fairly easy. There is also very clean bathrooms, an area to refill your water bottle, benches, and picnic tables. They sell no food, but allow you to bring your own to picnic--which we did. The parking is very easy to get to and an affordable rate. The admission price allows you access to the main botanical garden and adjacent to the parking lot, an area filled with Redwood Trees and amphitheater (don't forget to ask the person at the kiosk for the code to get in). The garden itself is divided into different sections to represent the country it grows from. Though walking around is easy, to truly have the whole experience, it is not stroller friendly as many areas has steps/stones for you explore. There is a good balance of shaded and sunny areas. Be sure to wear shoes as areas can be dusty, wet, or a little muddy. The diverse selection of plants and trees were very impressive. My family was there from 11am-4pm with desires to explore around more. At the end, we stopped by the gift shop where they sell some plants and succulents at a fairly reasonable price. I highly recommend this place! read more

See all

Hidden way past the Memorial Stadium, the UC Botanical Garden is a must see experience for Berkeley. Bringing a huge mix of plants, flowers and trees this place melds each region of the world fluidly. Sitting near the top of a hill with limited parking (hopefully you weren't there during a wedding), this place can be easy to pass if you weren't looking for it. The prices for entrance are very reasonable at $15 for an adult and $12 if you're a student. But if you're hesitant because the price, don't be. The gardens themselves are kind of a wonderland of sorts. Even if you're completely unexperienced to these type of things like myself you can become immersed into each region quite quickly. In particular some of my favorite areas were their garden of old roses which I thought was a play on older rose species but in fact they were old roses. If you get tired as well the entrance also offers some space to sit and look over the entire garden. Additionally, there's a small lawn area that provides a great place to take a nap and it seems welcomed as various patrons do so. That said, I would note it's important to not destroy any of the plants. While I didn't see it directly, people carved their initials in the bamboo forest. All in all, this place is definitely a must see if you want a different experience from the rest of Berkeley but probably even the Bay Area. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Garden of Old Roses - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

For those unaware that the University of California had a botanical garden...oh wait, that would be me. Color me embarrassed that I am a Cal Bear and lapsed alumnus who didn't even know these 34 acres of greenery existed before I found if in the Yelp app. Hell, I didn't take Botany 101 when I was a pug-nosed freshman. I think I took Astronomy 101 because I heard i could nap in the observatory. No plant love from me. But we all mature, don't we? Besides, the garden is off Centennial Drive in Strawberry Canyon up in the Berkeley Hills. Who went there when I had dorm bong parties to attend? But all these years later, I can appreciate the diversity of plant life to be found here, over 10,000 different plant species laid out geographically so there is some semblance of order to what you see. The plants were clearly labeled along paths that wind on the slopes. From my layman view, the most impressive section is the New World Desert where an amazing variety of cacti and succulents thrive (photo: http://bit.ly/2CYhhFL). Nevertheless, the entire layout is worthy of a couple of hours of botanical perusal. Admission is $12 except for students and alumni who have paid their dues. Yep, I paid the $12. RELATED - Looking for other gardens? Here's a collection of oases I have seen and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ySCmNr read more

See all

Great place to visit. Free for UC Berkeley community with your ID card. My favorite spot was the Redwoods. You have to enter though metal gates by putting in a code. Once you're in, you feel like you're in a completely different space. I personally love all the trees!!! There was also an amphitheater there so there was a small group holding a speech class there. There were a bugs that kept coming near us, but luckily we weren't bitten! read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

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

What an amazing place to get "lost" in. If you're in the area and have a few hours, this garden is well worth visiting. There are multiple greenhouses about with all sorts of plant buddies, depending on what living conditions they prefer. If you favor succulents, and cacti, there's an arid one. If you favor the carnivorous, ferns, and orchids, there's a humid one. There's even a greenhouse with cacao and coffee! The garden itself is organized into different areas (i.e Asia, South America, Australia, Mediterranean, etc). There's a not so hidden Chinese herb garden where you can learn a bit about where teas, alcoholic beverages, medicines, and things of the like originate. There's a small pond to reflect/meditate at. There's a rose garden in the back that's probably gorgeous when in full bloom. And the gift shop! They sell plant babies, bird memorabilia, and fir tea (currently). Have I sold you on the place yet? read more

See all

Nothing can beat Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC but this is still a very nice botanical garden, which is ranked nationally in the top 10. Our registration for parent's weekend at UC Berkeley got us our $15 entrance fee waived... (thanks to my brother the actual parent ;-) This is actually a deceivingly large botanical garden that is situated on a steep hill. You can walk to it from campus but it will take at least 45 minutes, but by lyft/uber it is $7 and a 5 minute ride. Be aware that cell phone service is sporadic up there but the lady at the ticket booth gave us the wifi password and we were able to lyft down. Plan for at least 90 minutes to get a good overview. They also offer free tours. I really like that they have the gardens laid out in different themes, from the Japanese to the Asian to even a medicine garden. I learned that the Japanese blood grass I have in my backyard can be used to cure gastrointestinal issues. Also on a clear day there are gorgeous views to the bay. Highly recommend these gardens even at the regular admission price. read more

See all

As luck would have it, the day we went to check out the U.C. Berkeley Botanic Garden, it was both open and closed. Open for their annual Fall Plant Sale, and closed for many parts of the garden. We didn't have to pay to get in, which was a nice surprise, but access was restricted to the areas where the plants were displayed for sale. We could still tour the central core of the gardens. The property sits on a hillside, with some pretty steep trails to get from area to area. You might have to channel your inner Billy goat for some of the sections. Lots of uneven ground on the pathways, so paying attention where you're walking is an excellent plan to have a good visit. There are many peaceful, wooded spaces here, providing a chance to find serenity. Lawn areas offer a place to hang out. Most of the plants have tags with common and botanical names, a huge undertaking with so many varieties of flora. Free parking is across the street from the main entrance. read more

See all

I visited the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden over the weekend with my sister as part of our Berkeley day trip. My sister went to school in UC Berkeley and so she had known about this place for a while. To my surprise, I found out that this place can actually be a really nice wedding venue beyond just a botanical garden for any ladies out there who might be looking for wedding/event venues ;) This botanical garden has two areas. One main area that is divided based on geographical regions (California, Asia, North America, etc.) and another part that is the Redwood Grove (across the street near the parking lots). The main area is a lot bigger than I had expected and actually takes a while to explore. I would say allocate at least 1-2 hours depending on how much you want to explore. My favorite areas of the gardens were the Redwood Grove, Deserts of America, and Crops of the World Garden. The Redwood Grove is really calming and peaceful that has the nice, sincere, forest feel. There are some benches and picnic tables in this area, so I recommend bringing snacks/food if you want to picnic. There are also other picnic areas within the main area of the gardens, but some of them are less shaded and you'll have to walk more to find available tables. I personally liked Deserts of America because I love succulents, but the area can definitely be very warm on a hot day. The Crops of the World garden was fun because I got to see how certain crops looked before they get to your local grocery store. Definitely check out the quinoa crop if you've never seen it! I really enjoyed my experience at the garden and would definitely make a trip back out here when I get the chance! Pros: -Reasonable entrance fees: $12 for adults Great for walks and picnics -Lots of cool plants if you are into plants -Has an original Julia Morgan building (first female architect licensed in California) -Has paid parking -Super friendly staffs (Can ask them for shaded picnic areas around the garden) -Free guided tours at certain times Cons: -Limited parking -May not be super accessible (for those in wheelchair, etc.) read more

See all

Had a magical day exploring the gardens with friends. I love that every plant had a name tag. I was so excited about the giant cactuses & the lizards everywhere. it's a massive garden so I definitely recommend bringing a small picnic, some water, & sunscreen! The gift shop is the cutest & seeing butterflies , lizards , roses galore make for a great day. read more

YES, Yelpers!! You guys were correct again! (LOVE Yelp for most trustworthy reviews! Thank you!) Beautiful and gorgeous flowers, leaves and trees so welcoming! I loved its pathways, stairs and even benches, hidden brooks, and secretive passages. I dreamed of having a sliver piece of this place as my own garden...I could stay there all day long hiking, picnicking, meditating, writing, taking pictures, drawing flowers, painting them, but I was with a 4 year old and 73 year old, my partners-in-crime buddies. So a rain check for some future day and will return with a camera, too. Free Wednesday is awesome. It is true. You walk right in without stopping at the front desk except picking up a map and hearing thank you for coming. No, THANK YOU! Parking will be your measure of luck though. read more

See all

What a beautiful garden! Upset it took us this long to finally check this place out. Very large garden, we spent about two hours here and I could have stayed longer. Sadly couldn't see the redwood area because of a wedding event happening there. So plan accordingly if you want to check it out. We got there right at10:00am opening and the wedding started at 12:00. Workers did not inform us of the wedding or else we would have done the redwood area first. Parking was $1 an hour so not bad at all! read more

See all

Absolutely breathtaking! This is the best botanical garden I've ever visited, hands down. My friend and I rented a car here, as it is quite a walk from the main Berkeley business corridor and even the campus as it's uphill and steep. I recommend driving here, as it can be challenging to get here by foot - and there's also a private parking lot. The lot does charge a dollar an hour, and since we didn't know how massive the garden is, we only decided to hang out here for two hours; but if you're the kind of person (like me) who likes to look and read everything then I would highly recommend staying for at least three to four hours. The garden is so huge that you will spend hours here, seeing all the diverse plants. Admission is 12 dollars for adults unless you're a student here, which is free. Where to even begin? You will definitely want a map from the entrance window, which will help you navigate and determine what plant species you're looking at and so on. My friend and I just started looking at plants and soon enough we both split up and were wandering around on our own, taking several pictures and learning about the different plant species. They have EVERYTHING here! Everything. In addition to plant species from California, including the native flower, Poppy, they have plants from other regions in the U.S. and many from other continents, even. I found several plants from China to South America to even Russia. It's amazing how much the garden has. They also have greenhouses for plants that must be kept within a certain temperature, and I was especially fascinated by all the different cacti here, especially coming from the Pacific Northwest where desert plants are slim. They have a Chinese herbal garden, a rose garden where you can see views of the city, old world crops, etc... There's also a gift shop that I didn't have time to check out, as well as so many other parts of the garden within my two-hour visit. The extensive variety of the garden is well-worth a visit, and you will learn about plants that you had no idea existed. Don't spend two hours here like I did, which was not close to enough time. This garden is really an all-day kind of trip, so bring a camera and wear walking shoes. You will be amazed by all the lush and diverse plants here. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - California Poppy - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Just a perfect afternoon! Great place to bring guests and visitors. Well conceived and maintained. It's a super relaxing place and everyone always has a good time. The grounds are extensive, varied, and fascinating! Great gift shop and plant sales. read more

There is so much to see and learn here. You can definitely get lost happily here as you explore the different plants in a particular region. It's like a walk in Alice In Wonderland. I found myself oohing and aahing a lot. Definitely need to do several trips and of course different seasons. read more

See all

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

This is a Berkeley gem. I take all our guests here. I take the kids here when we have a couple unscheduled hours and we watch the seasonal changes. I wave to my favorite cactus. We picnic, we explore, we visit the newts. We spot wild rabbits. I fantasize about my kids getting married here. They don't offer food or drinks on-site, so bring your own and pack out the trash, of course. There are plenty of tables and benches throughout, tucked into peaceful niches. The only thing I would change is I wish there were fewer photographers--both professional and lifestyle Insta influencer types. They can take up space, and they bring in a level of stress and focus that mar the peaceful vibe. Please be mindful of others when you visit! I adore the botanical garden and would recommend this to any visitor or local. read more

I love these Gardens! I wish I lived in this forest as a fairy, so many beautiful sights and sounds to see. And the smells - Ooh la la. Scents of mud, green and wet leaves. Special & sweet. If I were a fairy, I would flit from flower to bloom, taking in all of the nectars of Mother Earths' bounty. My BFF would be the hummingbird. If you get a chance, visit this exceptional, diverse piece of heaven; You will see botanical species from every continent, seriously. The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden have plants from places I only dream of visiting! That means every Continent (that has plants, of course. LOL) Each plot of Continental plants are attended by "Horticulturists of the scientific type" who research tirelessly, making sure each species gets adequate sun, water, etc. I felt a lil' cocky being able to identify areas of the plant World being displayed. Not 100%. Maybe, mmmmm, 1 out of 5 perhaps I correctly identified, if I can be generous. Oh BTW, there is a sweet gift shop on site, you might want to check out before you depart. read more

See all

100% recommend coming to this secret oasis of a botanical garden. The different climate regions and worldly plants that are sanctioned throughout the garden is so cool. The medicinal garden is extremely interesting as well. You could get lost for hours in the gardens learning all the new plants. They have huge redwoods and sequoias as well. A big variety of cacti too. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wonderful spot to go outside and enjoy beautiful flowers, plants, and trees! They have both paved and gravel paths. A very large property which leaves you plenty of options for getting a good stroll going. The staff is friendly and they are practicing social distance guidelines. Right now, you need to make an online reservation to get inside. Please try it out and support this local botanical garden. read more

This place is beautiful and very well-maintained. At the time I went earlier in the fall they required reservations and limited the number. As a result, I didn't see as many people there, which is great. It's big and great for walking, and the different sections are impressive. The pond was beautiful, as well as a place that has a fountain, where you see an amazing view. The staff there are also very helpful and friendly. Great outdoor activity and would like to go again in a different season. There's also a convenient outdoor parking lot right across with reasonable fees. Great place to check out! Can't believe I hadn't until now! read more

We had our wedding here and guests still rave about the location. The redwood grove is unbeatable for a stunning ceremony location. If you want to have your reception there as well, you need to have a limited guest list, but this ended up being a blessing in disguise because it is a great way to be able to tell people why you can't include them, and have a wedding where you can actually speak with everyone. Our reception was at Julia Morgan Hall, which is just stunning and includes tables and chairs in the reservation. As the areas are so beautiful, we were able to have a very minimal flower and decoration budget - no decorations needed! Guests also loved being able to dance on the spacious deck rather than inside where you always overheat. Being at a botanical garden means you have such a variety of amazing photo locations (photos by Eve Rox Photography). And staff were very accommodating about scheduling walkthroughs and answering questions, and we easily had our deposit returned. The catering options are limited, but Los Moles and Wilma Lott are fairly reasonably priced read more

See all

This is a beautiful and healing space, and the UC is so fortunate to have it close to campus. There are a variety of interesting rare plants and the cactus greenhouse is a real treat. Check out the gift shop for an array of wonderfully made shirts, hats, homegoods, and jewelry (seriously cool geometric earrings and nature themes - I got a honeycomb pattern!). There are plants and trees here from all around the world and for those who can foot the bill, it would be a gorgeous space for a wedding, dinner party, or fundraiser. Once the pandemic is over, I highly recommend all new Berkeley bears to pay the garden a visit! The events during the holidays, like the pop-up shop, are so much fun and feature lovely items. I got a "seed bonbon" box--each little "truffle" was a ball of seeds and clay, with kits ranging from tea plants to butterfly-friendly flowers. read more

This is a great place to go if you want to spend some time outside roaming around looking at new and interesting plants. I had a blast wandering around aimlessly and getting lost multiple times. I did go during the winter so a bunch of plants didn't have leaves or flowers but that is expected. This is a fun location for dates or somewhere to let your kids run around and explore. I definitely want to come back during the spring months to see what it's like. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

This has to be the best botanical garden in the world! I spent two hours walking around, and I had only covered a fifth of the garden! It is not the size really, but it is the beauty that stops you from moving on. I really don't know who designed this garden, but whoever did it is a genius. The amount of species per garden bed is uncountable, and the care and labeling is fantastic. This place is amazing! And... I happened to be there in late spring, so every flower was in bloom. I truly feel blessed. read more

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

A vast garden with many beautiful nooks and sections. There were a few closed and less maintained sections. The redwood grove is worth a special stop (it's not at the main garden). Next to the herb garden there's also a beautiful Chinese herb garden. It's really cool. See some amazing rare plants throughout the garden. Student staff is very friendly and helpful. There's a time limit for last entry due to the vastness of the garden. Special pricing available for seasonal tickets and student tickets, but single ticket is still worth the $$$ read more

U.C Berkeley has had a botanical garden since the 1870s. Postcards from 1912 show a beautiful glass and steel conservatory very similar to the conservatory in Golden Gate Park. In the 1920s the garden moved to its present site in Strawberry Canyon. Until the 1970s the principle functions of the garden were support of instruction in botany and scientific research. What does this long history means to visitors today? A mature garden A variety of plants and ecosystems Paths to wander along A newt breeding area A peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby urban areas Membership in the garden means free admission to this garden and other botanical gardens all over the country. There is also a discount at the gift and plant shop. At least once a year there is a Groupon for this garden or another like Quarry Hills that offer 50% membership discounts. It is money well spent if you enjoy visiting. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, there is only a small pay lot across from the entrance. read more

See all

Wow! Great place to look at global plants. The garden is set up in sections of the world. Mexico central america, Asian, California... It is best to wear flat walking shoes and a big hat and a camera. You will see an amazing assortment of plants such as epiphetes and orchids. $12 entrance fee, $2 per hour parking.parking can be tight. Gift store and bathrooms too. No two visits are the same and plants flower at different times. See my pics "The 34-acre UC Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, with over 10,000 types of plants including many rare and endangered species. Organized geographically, the Garden features 9 regions of naturalistic plantings from Italy to South Africa, along with a major collection of California native plants. The Garden was established in 1890 and its living collections are invaluable resources for international research and conservation." ucb bg read more

See all

Came with one of my Berkeley friends. It was our first time together and my first time since I was a kid. We decided to walk from the south side of campus. If you don't want a long uphill walk in a mostly unpaved path, you should probably drive. There is a parking lot across from the botanical garden. However, my friend and I like to walk so it was a nice bit of exercise. Since we are both Berkeley affiliated and have Cal ID cards, we got in for free which is awesome! The botanical garden is a research facility and I remember it being small but my friend and I were there for almost 3 hours and we still didn't see everything! From the cacti to the plants from different parts of the world, it was a truly enjoyable educational experience and a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of campus. I could see myself coming once a month just to explore different sections and to see what's new. read more

See all

Very impressive, even in the fall when things aren't in "super bloom" mode. The Japanese pond is great: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=7WWhPnwl8B3Emv-dlVmw1w&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA In the tropical greenhouse, they have a cocoa plant with actual cocoa bean pods: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=w945Zk4od7V3pM1eiPWpDQ&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA The tropical greenhouse also has a beehive: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=7x1jtFPz0FpF8oMEd4X7QA&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA There are several contemporary art exhibits which are very cool, such as the water tower waterfall: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ljQzahtqtB5S86qgFyRf7A&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA And the room of solar tubes next to Berry Creek: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=biTX__RBJpAHLHqLzptRZQ&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA You have to cough up money for the pay station: It's $4 for 3 hours: http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=UdqC1QZF37FndG67JLe3UA&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA read more

See all

Very beautiful place to visit. You can even bring some lunch to eat & enjoy the variety of plants they have in different areas. Perfect place to bring your family & friends on a nice sunny day. read more

I absolutely love this place. It's my spot to get away from the crowds and traffic. This garden features plants native to continents/countries around the world. There's also a medicinal and edible garden which produces year round! Make sure to check out the greenhouses too because there are living rocks, succulents, and cacti! Right now the newts are confined to the Japanese pond because they're mating this season so you can see dozens of newts and their egg sacks attached to the pond plants. There are two types of newts in the pond: the California newt and the rough-skin newt. They can be difficult to tell apart from far away but at a closer glance, their skin texture is a tell tale sign. To error on the safe side, I wouldn't recommend handling the newts because they secrete toxins. These toxins are not toxic unless ingested or in contact with breaks in skin or mucous membrane. But it's good to error on the safe side. Pro-tip: UC Berkeley students get free admission with a UC Berkeley student ID. It's awesome! read more

See all