All images courtesy of the Ventura Botanical Gardens website and Facebook
Hey, Venturans! It’s really starting to feel like spring, isn’t it? In fact, we’re even seeing the beginnings of summer — and you probably want to capitalize on it before June Gloom rolls in. That’s why we recommend heading to the Ventura Botanical Gardens!
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the gardens lately, now is the time. The gardens are blooming now that spring is in full swing and you’ll get to see plenty of color and new life when you visit.
How to visit
The gardens are tucked right behind City Hall, making them a quick walk from downtown, or even from the beach. Head up to the road to City Hall, then keep right and head up past their parking lot. You’ll see a metal, rectangular tower at the top of the hill. That’s the new-and-improved Welcome Center, where you’ll find plenty of fun gifts for the gardener in your life (or maybe for yourself, we won’t judge).
The gardens are open from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Most days they cost $7 to visit, but you can get in for free on Fridays. Leashed dogs are welcome on Wednesdays and Fridays.
If you enjoy visiting the gardens, you might want to consider becoming a member. Membership costs $45 per person or $75 per family and gives you free entry for an entire year.
What to expect at the Ventura Botanical Gardens
From the Welcome Center, you head up the hill past a large selection of colorful planters and pots, all of which are for sale if you need anything for your own garden. You’ll then start up the rambling trail through the Chilean portion of the garden. This part of the garden features Chilean wine palms that survived the Thomas Fire!
That portion of the trail ends at the Rotary Plaza, roughly 3/4 of a mile from the Welcome Center. Keep heading up and to the left to see the Mediterranean Diversity Olive Grove, or up to the right to visit the South African garden.
You can check out a full map of the Ventura Botanical Gardens here.
To date, roughly 40 of the 109 acres of the gardens have been developed. The team behind the gardens will continue to develop them through the years, meaning locals will regularly have something new to see!
We hope you enjoy this little recommendation from our Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center team.
