Sonoma Botanical Garden
Sonoma Botanical Garden
Sonoma Botanical Garden
4
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A woodland experience where East meets West. Be inspired and refreshed by the beauty and importance of Asian and California native plants. Enjoy a self-guided leisurely walk, hike to see expansive views of the valley, or find the perfect wine country picnic spot. Rooted in a commitment to nature conservation, the Garden highlights two global biodiversity hotspots, offering a distinctive experience and underscoring our connection to plants and animals. Since its founding in 1987, the Garden has been dedicated to celebrating and conserving the plant diversity of temperate East Asia and is home to over 1500 different plants, many of which were grown from wild collected seed. Whether winter vistas, spring blooms, shady summer oases, or fall colors and textures, the Garden always offers delights for the senses. A different experience - every season, every time, for everyone.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
109 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
40
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
2
Nicholson18
Tampa, FL121 contributions
Apr 2022
We visited the gardens this week (early April) when I would think plants would be in bloom. We were disappointed as most things seemed dormant or dead. The rose garden had one bush with 1-2 flowers although the bushes had alot of buds. It seemed our timing for the visit was too early as nothing was really in bloom. It was a waste of money in our opinion and we felt the gardens should have been closed until a season when more flowers and plants were in bloom. Oh well......the weather was nice a d it was a pretty day to be outside.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy G
Petaluma, CA223 contributions
Aug 2022
We happened to see a review for the Botanical Gardens a couple weeks ago and decided to go check it out. It was wonderful, and I will be going back to see more. We spent about 2 hours there and could have easily spent longer. There are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the gardens, there are hills to climb, some narrow paths to follow, and waterfalls. There are birds and bees, waterfalls and dragonflies and flowers and trees. There were dragonflies and hummingbirds and lily pads. Wear comfortable walking shoes as some paths are rocky and uneven. Bring water with you (and a lunch if you want to relax at one of the picnic tables). Suggest wearing a hat and sunscreen. There are only 2 restrooms - one at the main entrance and one near the exit.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason Homey
Lewis Center, OH711 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We came here as a last minute substitute due to colder weather. It turned out to be quite the hidden gem. The hike goes all over the place and was a little hard to follow but we don’t mind walking so not a big deal. We enjoyed the variety of plants but we really loved the azaleas everywhere that were in full bloom. There was a small waterfall area, and several nice sitting areas on the trail too. There were also a great variety of birds there as well. It was reasonably priced and probably took us about two hours overall.
Written May 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat H
San Francisco, CA63 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We went today, February 25th. Staff was most courteous, but almost nothing was in bloom, and the WORST signage ever!!! We got lost 3 times.....The numbered suggested stops were not visible on the trails!
It’s time to close during non bloom months.
And, we were charged!
It’s time to close during non bloom months.
And, we were charged!
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex C
London, UK63 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
A lovely shady place to enjoy plants. I’m not much of a plant person, so I would have loved more just a lot more information about plants and maybe a self guided tour. The pond and bridge are beautiful, as is the prayer flag place.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cynthia m
44 contributions
Aug 2022
I really enjoyed this garden. It is good exercise as it is built on the side of a hill and you get great views. the plants are interesting and the style is what I would call California natural. The pond is great except I couldn't sneak up fast enough on the frogs! I would see them leap but never caught them just sitting. I would go back next time I'm there. They also have a small but interesting garden shop but no plants for sale.
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deb666
silicon valley ca41 contributions
Feb 2012 • Family
The history of this 30 acre botanical garden is amazing. It costs $15 for a docent led tour (call in advance) or $10 to walk it on your own. They celebrated their 25th year in 2012, and every plant in the garden started as seed. It has won accolades in the botanical world for its maples, its magnolias, and its roses. Every season is beautiful, the "bones" of the garden show up in the winter when you climb to the top and have a wonderful view of the surrounding areas, to the spring new leaves, to the summer abundance of wildflowers, to the autumn show of colors. Take a break from sipping wine and eating well at the Glen Ellen restaurants, and treat yourself to the scent and beauty of the plants, gathered mostly in Yunnan province in China, and replanted here. It is both exhilarating and calming any time of the year.
Written September 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MOBX
Foster City, CA484 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
Lots of paths to cover with different plants around each corner. Well labeled plants which is helpful. History of roses in the parking area was interesting too.
Written November 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StevoinMinnesoto
Cottage Grove, MN550 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We drove to the Quarryhill Botanical Garden from Healdsburg. This is a bit of a drive as it is a some distance from Hwy 101. The gift shop was fairly interesting with some unusual things we found for Christmas presents. The gardens themselves left something to be desired. You walk from the gift shop/parking lot up a hill into the gardens which would be a bit of a hike if you are not all that fit. The gardens feature trees almost exclusively which soon became boring to us. There is a water feature which is pretty but, to our taste, we felt the plant life could have been pruned more carefully as it looked overgrown.
Written November 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beatrice255
Chicago, IL43 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Had a lovely morning stroll among the trees and flowers, Moderately strenuous hike to the top of the hills. NIce views from up there. Garden includes some ponds, waterfall and bridge. Golf cart tours are available by reservation.
Written September 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExplorerStories
India703 contributions
Hi, are there any fall colors in the garden? What's a good time to see those at peak?
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