San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden's mission is to Honor and Preserve Our Connection with Nature.

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located near the Pacific Ocean on the Central Coast of California. When the master plan is complete, our 150 acre garden will be the only garden of its kind in the United States exclusively devoted to the ecosystems and plants of the five mediterranean climate regions of the world. Other components of the plan include 50 miles of paved trails; demonstration, meditation, and event gardens; an explosion of art; sustainable buildings for education and research; and creative modes of transportation to provide easy access to the inspiring views throughout the Garden’s 500-foot elevation change.

Our Vision

We endeavor to be a financially-sustaining botanical garden that displays and preserves the diverse plant life of mediterranean climate zones. We emphasize horticulture, education, research, sustainable and fire-safe practices, water conservation, children’s gardens of exploration, culinary demonstrations, life celebration gardens, health and nutrition, storytelling, and the arts.

We focus on the role plants play in our lives and how they advance human endeavors and cultures by providing food, shelter, clothing, and medicine.

With a goal of “education through exploration,” the Garden is dedicated to teaching children of all ages about the natural environment, rules of ecology, sustainability, where food comes from and how to eat healthfully. Our children’s garden was built to work with nature to help conserve water and help plants grow properly. The entire garden is made of fun and useful plants that can be used for medicinal teas, spices or a side dish for dinner.