UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Santa Cruz, CA

National Parks

0 (0 reviews)

Website Contact Unclaimed

Where are we going?

Address: 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 _{How do we get there?} Number: (831) 502-2998

Write Review Add Photo Save

Image copyright remains with original owners

Attractions in Santa Cruz

Suggest edit

About this activity

Get ready to enjoy a beautiful, nature filled day at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden!

It's here on the UCSC campus that you can spend the day appreciating and learning all about a number of collections filled with rare and threatened plants, which are also of unusual scientific interest.

Kids can learn all about plants from various corners of the globe, from as far as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and of course plants native to the USA, particular California.

What's exciting is that if you are a family who just love botany and horticulture, many of the species in the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum collections are actually not otherwise available for study in other US botanical gardens and arboreta.

In addition to the natural world, you can find a number of wonderful opportunities for exploration and learning perfect for all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities.

Enjoy a self-guided tour taking you around beautiful, information-packed interpretive signs which can be found near the entrances to every garden, which will help make your visit an educationally enriching experience, or join one of their guided tours!

Nature is calling kids, and it's calling YOU!

Activity location

Directions

APPROACHING VIA HIGHWAY 17 FROM THE NORTH
OR HIGHWAY 1 FROM THE SOUTH -

As you approach Santa Cruz, follow signs to "Half Moon Bay / Highway 1 North"
Highway One stops being a divided highway and becomes Mission Street in Santa Cruz. Remain on Mission St./Highway 1 for about a mile
Turn right onto Bay Street (there's a traffic light) going up to the UC campus
Turn left at the High St. traffic light at the base of campus (don't go in the main entrance)
Stay on High Street for approx 1/2 mile, the entrance to the Garden is to your right
If you arrive at the West entrance to campus, you have gone too far

Many newer GPS and and mobile routing devices recognize "Arboretum Road" as the Garden's address. You can also try entering "Norrie's Gifts Arboretum UCSC" in Google Maps or use "1490 High Street" as an approximate steet address

Get directions

How much does it cost?

Adults

$10.00

Children

$5.00 (Ages 6 to 17)

Discount

$8.00 Seniors. Free for members

Free Under

6 years

Last Updates

2023

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and Botanic Garden FAQ’s

You're very welcome to bring your own lunch and enjoy a picnic - there are a number of perfect grassy areas

Check out any tours they offer - these include their First Saturday Tours, as well as the the soaringly popular Birds & Blooms Tours! They are an additional fee on top of admission, but worth it!

Norrie’s Gift & Garden is the perfect place to stop at the end of your visit! You can find a host of souvenirs and merchandise, plus plenty of items to make your own garden even more special!

They welcome students! Give them a call in advance to arrange a tour, and there are plenty of spaces for students to enjoy their packed lunches too

Many of their pathways & trails are wheelchair & walker accessible

If you love bird watching, this is the place for you!

What people are saying?

Rate & Write a Review

Your rating *

Top activities near Santa Cruz