San Diego Botanic Garden

San Diego


This 37-acre garden has a large collection of California native plants as well as flora of different regions of the world, including Australia and Central America. There are special activities in the children’s garden (10am Tuesday to Thursday); check the website for a schedule. Parking $2.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Diego attractions

1. Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat

1.41 MILES

Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda founded his center here in 1937, and the town has been a magnet for holistic healers and natural-lifestyle seekers ever since…

2. San Elijo State Beach

1.98 MILES

A little north of Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach has good winter waves and $10 parking all day Monday to Thursday, $12 all day Friday through…

3. Lux Art Institute

2.28 MILES

A few miles east of central Encinitas, this institute lets spectators be present at the creation of art. A changing lineup of artists in residence take…

4. Batiquitos Lagoon

2.63 MILES

One of the last remaining tidal wetlands in California, Batiquitos Lagoon separates Carlsbad from Encinitas. A self-guided tour lets you explore area…

5. San Elijo Lagoon

2.86 MILES

One of the town's main draws is this 979-acre ecological preserve popular with bird-watchers for its herons, coots, terns, ducks, egrets and more than 250…

6. Cardiff State Beach

3.47 MILES

Just south of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the surf break on the reef here is mostly popular with longboarders, but it gets very good at low tide with a big north…

7. Cedros Design District

4.29 MILES

A cluster of furniture, interior and design shops, plus a few restaurants, entertainment venues and galleries.

8. Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields

5.33 MILES

The 50-acre flower fields of Carlsbad Ranch are ablaze in a sea of the carmine, saffron and snow-white blossoms of giant tecolote ranunculus. Take the…