Botany in California

After arriving in Los Angeles you’ll be whisked away to the first place on your journey to study botany. All of your adventures will be in and around Los Angeles. Tucked away on the northern end of UCLA’s campus is the Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden. From ferns to bromeliads, the garden might be small compared to some others you’ll see on your trip, but it is jam-packed with all manner of plant life. Docents are available to give a tour, but you’re welcome to go at your own pace.

There are over 800 species of plants at the Natural History Museum of LA County. In addition to being able to see incredibly diverse plant life, you can also explore interesting botanical concepts and processes. There’s a field area dedicated to education about pollination, a limestone wall so you can learn what plants spring from rocks, and a pond so you can explore plants that live in or near water and an area where you can get to know the ins and outs of composting. 

You’ll feel like you’re walking through Eden as you stroll the paths of The Japanese Garden. This tranquil oasis plays host to hundreds of species of plants, both native to California and native to Japan. It’s not uncommon to see bonsai trees dotting the paths. You’ll get to experience several kinds of Japanese garden from chisen to karesensui and learn exactly what these kinds of gardens are and why they’re important not just environmentally but culturally.

The botanical gardens at the Huntington Library are one of California’s gems. You can enjoy a self-guided tour of the many gardens or join one of the group tours that they offer. Either way, you’ll get to see plants from ecosystems around the world and learn what makes each area different. There are 16 themed gardens, and you should see them all. You can take a walk through what a garden looks like in Australia, a garden made of only cacti, see a Chinese garden, admire a lily pad garden and so much more. When you’re done strolling outside, visit the Conservatory for a more hands-on and up close botanical learning experience.

The South Coast Botanical Garden focuses on plant life as much as it does the wildlife that has come to call it home. When you visit, bring a camera and be prepared to see butterflies and hummingbirds. The garden hosts a variety of events you can join, including birdwatching walks and informational sessions about the care and keeping of certain plants. You’re also welcome to tour the garden, either on your own or hosted by one of their docents.

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden isn’t just beautiful — it gives back. It focuses on conservation to your benefit. Here you’ll get to see an area dedicated to bird conservation, as well as water-conserving plants that are important to California, especially during periods of drought. There are over 33 acres, several trails and over 15 regions of plant life. Staff at the garden are happy to answer any questions about the flora or fauna you might see there. Be sure to pick up a bulletin on the way out to learn more about the gardens and the plants you saw there.

You’ve seen a lush display of greenery from California and from around the world, but there’s a hidden gem in Beverly Hills that you can’t miss. After grabbing a couple of pictures of the Beverly Hills sign, you’ll head over to the cactus garden. A staple in town since 1934, it’s a beautiful but compact display of cacti and succulents. The plants are well within reach, so you can get close to take a look at them, but don’t lean in too far, those cacti can be sharp.