South Coast Botanic Garden

Covering 87 acres, the South Coast Botanic Garden offers a wide variety of blooming trees, shrubs, and flowers all year.  The Garden has more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. When the garden transitions from the spring bloom time into early summer, everywhere you look is color.
 
Popular features include a small lake, Mediterranean Garden, AARS Rose Garden, Water-Wise Garden, Garden for the Senses, Cactus Garden, Children’s Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Dahlia Garden, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. There is an attractive Wedding Lawn and two Gazebos, Events Meadow, and Frances Young Auditorium available for events. There is a picnic area located outside of the Garden gates.
 
Children’s Garden and Children’s Discovery Garden
The most popular among young people, this garden is developed around nursery rhymes with plants to match the stories. An enchanted dollhouse and bridge enhance the setting. Adjacent to the Children’s Garden is the Discovery Garden with a secret tunnel, worm bin, alphabet garden, butterfly garden, and whimsical characters.