Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Reviews

Forty-three acres of beautiful gardens. Among them, forest, perineal, rhododendron, vegetable and many more. Include a walk to the ocean and a nursery selling many of the plants that are on display and you have a truly unique garden. A full day would not be too long to spend here as is evidenced by the availability of membership passes. Also, for a break there is a snack bar with wi-fi so you can share pictures of the many intriguing plants. Really a must see if you like flowers and are in Fort Bragg.

We enjoyed walking the various trails to see the beautiful plantings. Plus, we could bring our dog which made our visit even more enjoyable. Signage and map were sometimes hard to follow but we enjoyed the gardens regardless.

The gardens give you a feeling of peace and calm the moment you arrive. It's a great place to get out walking on the many trails. Also good for kids to enjoy nature and let loose some energy. Try to visit in the spring, if you can, to view the gorgeous Rhododendrons blooming.

Beautiful gardens and coastline views with various trails to explore. They were doing some garden bed changes so parts of garden were closed. Overall it was beautiful and easy to walk.
It has a nursery where you could buy plants and a small cafe. The cost of entrance was $20 a person so I felt a bit overpriced for time spent there.

This is a beautiful garden with amazing plants, meandering trails & vistas of the Mendocino coast. Not to be missed!

We love gardens and have enjoyed many from coast to coast. Deciding to go to this one we really debated because we have been disappointed with some of the other gardens in California. So our expectations were extremely low. Boy did we get blown away!!! We just got lost in the experience and spent roughly 3-4 hours by the time we made our way out of the gift shop. The transition from the beautiful manicured gardens out to the loop that takes you to the cliff house and coast is just magical. For anyone that loves gardens this is a must see.

Beautiful gardens with lots of variety. The rhododendrons were in bloom along with the magnolias. The beach bluff has great views with benches to sit and enjoy it. Don’t miss it if you are in Fort Bragg.

Excellent place to spend the day. Beautiful ocean vistas and gardens to wander through. There is also a wonderful gift shop with a variety of merchandise (soap, dish towels and lots of gift ideas). Staff is friendly and helpful.

Maybe because we live by the ocean, this was just a pleasant experience. The gardens are nice and the walk is good exercise. The staff said the vegetable garden was a must see, it was nice but nothing out of the ordinary. The best part was the heather area, felt like I had walked into a fairy tale. The walk along the cliffs next to the ocean give a great view and I imagine would be a great whale watching spot.

Lovely day exploring the various gardens and walking along the coast. Everything was beautiful! Enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Rhoda’s Cafe including eats from the vegetable garden.

I am so glad we ( husband and I ) went to the Botanical Gardens. The whole trip is well worth it. Everyone will enjoy Fort Bragg , The Botanical Gardens , the lodge, and Home Style Cafe and Asian Buffett .

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens has beautiful flowers and walking trails throughout the grounds. There are many events during the year to attend. There are plants for sale and Rhodys Garden Cafe has good food and Cowlicks ice cream.

Beautifully kept grounds and a nice variety of plants. Lots of places to sit and just listen and stare at the beauty around you. Lots of birds about to watch also. May not be the best place to bring a hyperactive child as they would get bored fast and not let you enjoy the gardens.

This place is always lovely no matter what season I'm there. The gardens and walks are spectacular. I always allow half a day and never get through them. Eat lunch early at their cafe. Great food, but if they are busy they will run out of some items. Everything is delicious. The walk to the 'cliff house' is always necessary. Much of this is wheel chair accessible. Kids would probably not appreciate it.

The gardens are simply gorgeous and a fantastic place for the entire family to spend a few hours.

There are many different trails and secret areas to discover. The gardens are ever-changing with the seasons. Definitely worth the entrance fees.

Made me want to go home and redo my garden! Gorgeous displays! The plants are not typical but very special. I shopped a bit but the weather there is special so one must be careful buying plants from that climate.

The coastal botanic garden is such a delight. Wonderful recreational walk to the ocean, through forest with dahlias, vegetable garden and heather fields. Excellent!

Amazingly beautiful gardens. April is the perfect time to visit. So many plants blooming. The gardens are well kept and have identifying signs for the plants. Wonderful variety of plants that are certain to please everyone. The trails are well maintained. There are many trails that are handicapped accessible.

There is a small cafe with yummy food at a reasonable price.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. Plants to purchase are available.

This was a field trip from a stay in a redwood grove five miles east of Mendocino. Despite the time of year, the gardens were beautiful. You can tell that many volunteers (and staff) are hard at work. They are no substitution for coastal walks or the many state parks, but a perfect diversion during a week-long stay.

The gardens are a must see if you're in Fort Bragg. We were lucky to have the Dahlias in bloom when we visited and it was a spectacular display. I would imagine that any time of year these gardens would not disappoint.

My favorite botanical garden. Right on the ocean with beautiful views and a variety of flowers and plants both native and non native.

A wonderful walk through amazing plants and beautifully designed. We love to take plants home from their small but lovely shop.

This place has some amazing plants. Colors and varieties only to be seen here. I suggest you take the time to take the ocean trail as you will have some amazing views and picture opportunities!

My husband and I toured/hiked the Gardens just a few days ago. The Dahlia Garden is in full bloom and it's Glorious.
The Conifer Garden has species you may have never seen of heard of.
Nice Gift Shoppe, light fare cafe on the grounds and nursery with plants to buy.
There are also bathrooms along the way, some flush and some vault type, very clean.
Take water and wear good hiking shoes if you like to take the side trails which have some steep parts.
We took our time, logged 9300 steps in about 3.5 hours.
We walked every side trail and vista point. From Hwy 1 to the ocean, this is a wonderful outing for couples and families. The loop is accessible, with some of the side trails also accessible.
Be sure to visit The Parrish Family Cemetery, on the grounds of the garden.
See the website for more information about accessibility and Admission.
Google Garden By The Sea or Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is an absolute treasure and a must-visit for anyone traveling along the northern California coast. Lush gardens with the most beautiful flowers.

The variety of plants here is truly remarkable. The gardens are divided into distinct sections, each with its own charm. The rhododendron collection is particularly breathtaking, especially in bloom. Walking through the vibrant dahlia garden feels like stepping into a painter’s palette.

Don't forget to walk down the trail that leads to a stunning coastal view. It’s a gentle, meandering path lined with wildflowers and native plants, culminating in a dramatic vista of the Pacific Ocean. Watching the waves crash against the cliffs while standing in such a serene environment was a moment I’ll never forget.

The gardens are also incredibly well-maintained, with clear paths, helpful signage, and informative plaques about the plant species. The staff and volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions or share fun facts.

a place to breathe, to pause, and to reconnect with the natural world. Whether you're visiting solo, with family, or even with your dog (yes, it's pet-friendly!), there’s a sense of inclusivity and relaxation here.

What a beautiful collection of plants, roses, rhododendrons, vegetable gardens, shrubs and flowers. Almost a micro climate tucked away in a bay off the ocean with great vistas and wild seas and rocky headlands. Just inspirational from plant and seascape. Well maintained, well documented and manicured. Worth the entry fee and a couple of hours of walking in the forest and around the gardens culminating in the ocean headland.

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful garden with trails along the coast. I would definitely recommend and would return any time I’m in the area. There are flowers, trees, vegetable gardens, and benches to sit on.

Enjoy a lovely walk thru the gardens and out to the ocean. Lots of variety of plants, flowers and trees plus art! Places to sit and just enjoy the setting. Great for families, wheel chairs and walkers plus you can bring your pup in too. Reasonable pricing, gift shop and a small cafe.

Plan ahead...only a few weekends for the Festival of Lights. Wonderful gardens for daytime walks; magical if you can get to the December Lights. Local pride is very evident in the extensive volunteer work. For some, it's an annual visit to Fort Bragg / Mendocino. Great for kids; Grinches- not so much.

We enjoyed 2 hours here! We meandered through the various gardens and were pleasantly surprised to experience a trail on the ocean bluff!
We especially enjoyed observing an elderly couple who walked from bench to bench, where they would sit a bit, take pictures of each other, and mosey on. They, like us, we’re visiting a cool area to get away from the Central Valley heat.

We visited Fort Bragg for 2 days. This garden was the high
Iight!

It’s also a place where kids can walk off some energy, romp in the grass and smell some flowers.

What a gorgeous and well maintained garden! My husband and I strolled the grounds enjoying all the plants and blooms. Visitors can follow easy to walk trails all the way out to the ocean. A pure slice of heaven! The gift shop is great too :)

The Gardens, although not large compared to some, enjoy a good mix of habitats. At the entrance are the pretty more formal gardens. A short walk takes you to the kitchen garden area and a longer walk - though not too long - takes you to the coast.

Absolutely gorgeous garden even late in the season. Collections of Dahlias, begonias, and fuchsia were impressive! Natural area leads to a magnificent view of the Pacific crashing against rocks and cliffs covered in ice plant. The vegetable garden provided over 4000 pounds of food to the food bank. Most of all, the pleasing arrangement of the landscape makes for a cohesive and restful experience.

Every year around Christmas the Botanical gardens puts on a light show they have their grounds all decorated with lights with different kinds of like animals volcano spiders Wells just a bunch of different things made out of lights and we go there every single year it’s beautiful

I often take day trips to Ft Bragg, but could never find the time to visit the Gardens, so this time, I stayed for several days, with the intention to visit here. Am I GLAD I did. If you have ANY interest in flowers or gardens, this is a MUST. While there was much in bloom (8/7) it was the Camellias that stole the show. If you tire of "gardens," a large part of the property stretches out to the ocean, through the natural habitat. This was a great place to just unwind and drink in nature. I can't speak too highly about Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Wow...what a pleasant experience! We took part in a guided tour lead by Jim, an expert in rhododendrons. Very informative! The gardens are beautiful, and the rhodies were in bloom. Nice accessible trail that leads to gorgeous ocean views. A 'must see' in this area!

This a great place to spend a couple of hours. The gardens are well curated and cared for. The trails are well maintained. The cliff views are spectacular. Well worth a visit.

We weren’t sure about visiting a botanical gardens in March but heard it was worth a visit, and it was. Very nice hikes, many trees in bloom and plants too. Great ocean views we enjoyed very much!

Very sweet staff with good walking trails that are clearly marked. Cute gift shop and little cafe. Give yourself a good 90 minutes minimum and go on a nice weather day. Don't miss the Dalia Garden or the Parrish Family Cemetery. Lovely plave to visit.

Nice relaxing walk, follow the pathway to a point overlooking the ocean. I was amazed at the crystal clear ocean water

This is a Must See if you are in the area. The Gardens are huge with 47 acres of land and 4 miles of trails. It is a half mile trail to the ocean one way with many different gardens to see on the way. On the day we visited the Rhododendrons were in full bloom. The Main Loop trail is wheelchair accessible and some of the other trails are steep and a bit challenging. There are at least 12 distinct gardens and collections, many benches to rest or take in the beauty of the flowers and/or ocean views,. There are rest rooms, a retail plant shop, a gift shop and a small cafe. Enjoy!

These gardens cover about 45 acres and have a stunning ocean view. Many of the ferns, roses, heaths, pines, spruces, cacti, aloes, and countless other plantings are labeled, so one can learn a lot along the way. The paths are mostly flat and accessible, which made it easy for me to enjoy using my rented scooter. A totally pleasant way to spend 90 minutes or so.

If you decide to attend the Festival of Lights at the Botanical Gardens be aware that the walk through the light part is only about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the volume of other attendees. They have a bonfire towards the end and you can sit and roast marshmallows. The last day of the event they have s’mores. And at the very end is a tent where a band plays a mix of Christmas carols and then non Christmas music. They serve wine and cider for a $. The event starts at 5:00 pm. And if you don’t want to shuttle it’s best to get there early. But the lights come alive if you wait till it’s dark out. You can even get pics with Santa.

A must visit if you love to see various kinds of flowers, plants, beautiful landscapes, gardens, and then walk along the ocean for great views before you leave. Don't forget the ocean path as it is stunning. Lots of plant labeling so you can see what you are looking at too. Plants for sale and a gift shop too. The restaurant closed now due to Covid. My husband liked the gardens too and the paths are very well labeled. He also loved the ocean and if your partner is not much into plants they can spend time at the ocean there. The flowers this time are the daffodils and all in various stages of bloom and color a must see! The landscape is very beautiful, and there are many varieties of several different plantings. Depending on what time of the year you go you will see different plants blooming. There is also a great rhododendron blooming season there. Call ahead for reservations due to Covid19 and then check the hours as they are not open every day.

We decided to take a trip to the coast during COVID and visited the botanical gardens. We were not sure what to expect and were pleasantly surprised at how expansive the garden was. We visited the vegetable garden and walked out to the coast. The views were beautiful. There were plenty of places to sit along the way and visitors can spend as much or as little time visiting as they'd like.

I suggest bringing along some bottled water and if you want to spend more time there, a picnic lunch to enjoy along the coastal trail or at anyone of the picnic tables they have.

Amazing, much larger and more extensice than we expected. Beautiful views and diverse plant life. Want to go again to see other season blooms

Great place to visit and unbelievable gardens, flowers, trees and ocean views. The park is a hidden gem. We have been coming to this area for 15 years and just made our first visit. Do not miss it, definately worth your time. Wear good walking shoes

It terms of size, this garden is not a extensive as Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada or the Bronx Gardens in NYC. That said, it is was a most pleasant and surprising find on the CA Coast. The day we visited, the weather was glorious: not a cloud in the sky, temps in the mid-70s range - absolutely beautiful! The rhododendrons blooms were starting to fade, however, there is an extensive collection of various species on display. The organic vegetable gardens was very interesting and informative; a must stop on any visit. Again, this garden is less that 50 acres. However, what is lack in size, it more than made up for in the following ways:
- None of the large botanical gardens we visited offer you an ocean view.This garden's headlands abutts the Pacific Ocean offering a panoramic view of the water and rocky shoreline interacting with the massive waves - spectacular!
- The layout and various seating areas make for a very intimate experience with the living displays
- The staff we encountered were very good ambassadors for the gardens: they were pleasant, welcoming and very informative.
If you are in the Fort Bragg/Mendocino area or if you are just heading up or down the Pacific Coast Scenic Highway, this please include this botanical gardens in you itinerary of stops.

We’ve never been here before so decided to give it a try. Wow! What a fantastic place! The flowers, plants, trees and views were to die for! Don’t miss this unbelievable place if your in the area!

I enjoyed seeing all the Dhalias and other plants. This garden is well kept up and quite large. You get to walk to the beach and back. Very nice if you like walking and love natural beauty. Lady at admissions wasn't friendly. $15 per person is steep I think.

In season, there are many rhododendrons in bloom and a good mix of other plants. I know plants and they have some well grown and interesting plants.

As a member of the Missouri Botanical Garden, I found this experience quite different from my usual garden walks. The garden extends from the highway to the ocean with many trails and varieties of gardens in between. Dahlias, succulents, and a vegetable garden were still vibrant in October. A walk through tall pines led us to the cliff that overlooks the rocky coastline and gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. It's a beautiful, peaceful place to spend a few hours or to take a morning stroll. Leashed dogs are allowed to accompany their owners on the trails.

My 11 year old daughter and I visited in July 2019. The grounds were beautiful. Nice hike/walk to the back of the property where you can see the ocean. There were fun trails my daughter had fun exploring. The Dahlia garden was GORGEOUS! Ginny was working in the gift shop and she was so kind and helpful as it was our first time visiting. We had so much fun we went back the next day as well! Looking forward to coming back to see the festival of lights!

Located right off Highway 1, this botanical garden looks unassuming from the outside. However it is actually quite a charming place to visit. It is 47 acres and includes a 1/2 mile trail to the coastal bluff with gorgeous ocean views. There are 4 miles of trails. It is dog friendly, and there is a cute little cafe near the entrance which serves good food. There are plenty of cozy benches situated throughout the garden. There is also a little serene cliff house where one can sit inside, relax, and admire the ocean views. This is certainly a worthwhile place to visit when one is in Fort Bragg.

I was totally blown away by this beautiful garden. It offers so much more than I expected it too. First of all, it is HUGE. Allow at least 2 hours and wear good walking or hiking shoes. The first area you will come to upon entering is a formal garden with lots of color. Next is a small rose garden and a secluded lawn with a rostrum where I assume they hold concerts, recitals, weddings, etc. Then you’re in a wild area where many smaller trails depart from the main trail. Be sure to follow the Ocean trail until you see a group of benches that perched near the edge of a cliff. It’s not until you’re almost upon them that you discover why they are there: below the cliff is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline I have ever seen, with big waves crashing over rock formations causing spray to go in all directions. The view from here alone is worth the price of admission. The garden also has a small gift shop and a cafe, which is handy since it is a little ways out of town.

By far, the best garden I have ever seen! Lots of different plants/flowers are mixed together creating a beautiful tapestry of colors. For the photographers in reading this, bring your fastest lens and your best camera (yes, I know, an iPhone will be fine) and you won’t be disappointed-unless you left SD memory cards at home (as I did). $15 dollar entrance fee is a bargain for what get. I’ll be back (with memory cards this time) :)

We have made an annual trip here for over 30 years. We try to visit within two weeks either side of May 1 to catch the rhododendron bloom, but earlier, the camilla garden is the star attractions as are the heather and dahlia gardens in the fall. The garden is full of many other floral delights, trees from all over the world and an impressive succulent garden. They have a demonstration vegetable/fruit garden that I envy every time I visit. The gardens' size has doubled several time over the past many years; all the work is done by volunteers! Very Impressive Effort and Success! Plan several hours to all day to wander the trails, sit on the benches overlooking the ocean, and enjoy a great experience.

My husband and I visited for a few hours while in the area- the gardens are gorgeous, the view is fantastic, would have loved to have had more time to explore. Definitely stop by if you are in the area

We will be back. What a beautiful place to visit! We could've spent all day there. Make sure you bring water to drink as you wonder through the beautiful gardens.

The weather was perfect around 75 degrees!!! Online reservations only as I noticed sign said sold out!! Gardens are absolutely breathtaking!! Nice trails for those in wheelchairs too!! Dog friendly and dogs are on leashes!!! Highly recommend a visit here!! It is woth it!!!

The gardens are really nice and the walk to the ocean is worth it. Only negative is that $15.- for an adult in the winter, when almost nothing is in blume is a bit steep.

This Botanical Garden is quiet with display gardens throughout, including a fun vegetable and fruit garden, where during the season, you can walk about and pick some fresh grown berries yourself. It was interesting to see how they created their vegetable beds and the interesting items they sprinkled about in the gardens. Would love to visit when the dahlias are in bloom and hope to return to see them. The Festival of Lights was fun and filled with unexpected treats around each corner.

A must-do if in the Fort Bragg area, although considering that it costs $20 per person, you need to make sure you spend enough time here to make it worthwhile. The dahlia garden was the highlight during our visit.

We had driven past this many times on coastal drives but never stopped. This time it was the point of our drive to the coast to visit the Botanical Gardens.

Well worth the journey. Located about a mile south of Fort Bragg. Parking can be a bit limited, so best to visit on a weekday, if possible. Even on a wednesday there were few spots remaining in the main lots..

Gardens are extensive so plan on at least a couple hours to visit. Some paths have pavement so motorized wheelchairs and strollers can be used; but other paths are dirt only and can be steep not feasible for wheelchairs or strollers.

Different areas with different varietals so something should always be in bloom. Check out their website for time of year blooms before you visit,

Paths lead to beautiful ocean views and bench seats on the bluffs to enjoy the sea views.

There is a garden shop, nursery and small cafe on site.

Cost to visit is adults $15; Seniors $12

This place blew our minds, plus DOG FRIENDLY. Love it. Not only can you walk through endless gardens, see a small gravesite and have a picnic, but you can follow the trail out to the ocean & cliffs. Literally get a bit of everything.
Only complaint: bathrooms were all shut down inside and only had porta potty’s. The hand wash stations were out of water.

The gardens are absolutely stunning. We had a beautiful visit and the dahlias are incredible. There is a trail out to the ocean for incredible natural vistas. Also the pathways are wheelchair/scooter accessible so welcoming to all.

My husband and I brought our 2 year old son here for the first time yesterday. To our pleasant surprise, we found that pretty much the whole garden was in bloom. We had no idea there were so many different types of rhododendrons and how beautiful they were! The other highlight of the garden was the vegetable garden section where among other vegetables there was a decent sized strawberry patch with fruits for you to pick and enjoy. A short walk from there led us to the pine forest and then the cliff house by the ocean. It’s amazing to see how fast the vegetation changed based on its location.

The Gardens are one of the main attractions in the area, for very good reason. The space is situated on the coast; be sure to allot enough time to walk down to it. The gardens are very well curated, with beautiful selections of flowers. We were lucky enough to be there when the dahlias were in full bloom. The gardens include several sculptures which enhance the experience. In addition to the gardens, there is a lovely café with food that is actually edible.

We visited the garden and was not disappointed. When we arrived, the caretaker was very helpful on where to go on the property. The south trail is a mile walk round trip. Beautiful flowers every where. Saw many non-timid hummingbirds.
Don’t miss this.

Enjoy wandering the gorgeous rhododendron gardens and then follow the trail out to wide open bluff on the coast. Very peaceful. Lots of well situated benches to rest on and enjoy the views. Nice garden shop as well and a cafe is open during part of the year.

The staff at our inn advised us not to miss these gardens - they turned out to be the highlight of our trip. We spent a very pleasant couple of hours on the paths and in the dahlia garden, but you can see some spectacular plantings without going very far. Entry was by appointment/advance ticketing; the shop was closed but there was a small outdoor display of plants for purchase. We'd gladly spend more time here.

Beautiful walk in the garden! You must make a reservation for timed-entry due to Covid. You can choose a trail, a short walk, or out to the Cliff House for a view of the Pacific Ocean. The flower beds are well-maintained but not overly manicured. It seems very natural! Allow about 2 hours to enjoy the beauty!

While I have been to Mendocino many times, this was s first for me. This garden is like no other in that it has plants that can only be found in coastal areas such as this. Lovely flowers, beautiful trees, trails that you can hike or just easy walking trails. Peace and quiet, too. Take this side trip and enjoy!

Beautiful interesting flowing gardens and meadows with different trails and the view of the occean as well

We spent about 2 hours wandering the trails and admiring the plants and flowers this past Sunday morning. Get there early as it gets crowded around noon on weekends.

Cost is $15 for adults.

There is a trail leading out to the ocean. It can be a bit chilly with the wind so layering would be a good idea.

One of the nicest botanical gardens I have visited (and being an avid gardener, I have visited plenty). Very reasonably priced, well-maintained, creative ideas, and variety.

This visit was a highlight of the Ft. Bragg, Mendocino, Albion Trip! The botanical gardens by the sea are beautifully planted and filled with inspirations to take home. It’s open all year from 9-5, 9-4 in winter months. The tickets purchased at the Skunk Train are reduced price. Be sure to visit the gift shop and pick up a map of the garden loops. Also be sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty and save lots of time to explore it all the way to the Cliff House and through green houses. There is an area to purchase plants and a wonderful cafe as well. A most enjoyable experience.

We visited in mid-November, and thanks to global warming, the weather was in the 70's and sunny. My girlfriend and I paid $15 each to wander the gardens, and it was money well spent. Near the intersections of Highway 1 and Highway 20, you too can find the magic that we stumbled upon on our way home from the coast. What we thought was just going to be a small sampling of plants and perennials turned out to be much, much more! Fuchsias, dahlias, rhododendrons, azaleas, succulents, and so many other wildflowers and vegetables. The main loop trail takes you to the coastline with fantastic ocean views and salty smells of seawater. There is a small whale-viewing structure (cliff house) in one of the coves that offers some educational information on various lichens, and has a couple of whale bones on display as well. Cool! The full loop trail is 1.2 miles, but there are 4 total miles of trails to discover on the 47-acre expanse. If you are brave, you will even come across a cemetery where members of the Parrish family are buried. Who knew that so many wonderful experiences could come out of a day visit to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens? Not us...but now we do! We will definitely be back.

Learn the names of local plants in the lovely landscaped areas, eat lunch on the cafe deck, and walk the well-groomed trails all the way to the sea.

Ever get tired of going here. I have been going to the gardens since 1972. See the cliff house. Beautiful dahlias.

This gorgeous botanical garden is a must-see in Fort Bragg. It is one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen, and well worth the price of admission. The shop has a variety of interesting plants for purchase. There is also a gift shop, and a cafe. The restrooms are clean and neat. We spent hours there, and walked the length of it. We also were allowed to bring our dog.

The is a restaurant I didn't eat at this time but had been good in the past. The admission is a little less for locals but very worth it. Take a walk down to the bluffs and eat your lunch in an enclosed patio for a break from the wind. There is a prairie cemetary, dahlia garden (blooms peak in aug/sept], rhododendrons and so much more. At Christmas they have a wonderful lighted display. There is also s gift shop, plant sales and other events during the year to support community endeavors. Enjoy a wonderful walk in the coastal zone year round.

Don't miss it! It doesn't look like much from the front -- just a landscaped parking lot, you think -- then you walk out to the back. Stunning and huge: the trail to the ocean is over a mile.

Themes abound: rose garden, succulents, begonias. Trails and paths wind around, intersecting each other. Peaceful sitting areas pop up.

We didn't make it far. You'll need a couple of hours to see it all. Give it some of your time, definitely worth it.

My husband and I visited, it was beautiful and relaxing and the dahlia's were sutnning....don't miss.

The gardens were beautiful and extensive. There was an easy trail down to the shore, round trip, 1 1 /4 miles. You could easily spend 2-3 hours there. Worth the admission price.

This is a favorite place for us in the world! The initial part is a collection of cultivated gardens with different themes -heathers, etc. This leads to the largest part, a natural area with trails along a stream through a fern canyon then under large trees out to the coastal bluffs. This time we saw whales spouting offshore, hundreds of geese flying in formation , deer, 2 dozen other kinds of birds. Nice gift shop and garden shop.

The best botanical gardens I have ever seen! If I lived in the area I would go all the time. The flowers are gorgeous and the easy walk to the ocean rewards you with amazingly beautiful views. I love that they have a vegetable garden. I felt that the gift shop was a bit underwhelming but the cafe is nice and the setting just can't be beat! Buy tickets online ahead of time because they do sell out.

The botanical garden was the highlight of our trip to Mendocino. The property is very large and has a variety of walks and trails. In addition to having a host of beautiful and interesting cultivated plants, the garden extends to the ocean with gorgeous views of the surf and the ocean. The main trails are easy to navigate and a few are a little steep. The friendly attendants provide wonderful advice on how to make the most of your visit. A must-see!

This place is hands down amazing!! Easter egg hunt for the kids was a blast!!! if you haven’t visited this place you are missing out!

We spent a wonderful several hours strolling through these lovely gardens. The trails takes you out to the ocean where you can sit and enjoy ocean views too! The variety of plants, flowers and trees were wonderful and the vegetable garden is not to be missed. There is a little cafe on the premises where we enjoyed some delicious ice cream after our stroll through the gardens.

After passing the gardens over the years, I decided this was the trip. My visit was so worth it - lovely flowers, plants; well maintained, stunning ocean views. I'll be back!

We spent a couple of hours wandering around looking at the trees in the conifer and woodland gardens, and enjoying the excellent plant shop. I discovered species I'd never seen (the perfect reason to visit Botanical Gardens) and saw things in blossom I wouldn't see back home. Jeffrey, in the plant shop, was just excellent to look one rare Australian tree up so that I would be able to find it later.

We have been to botanical gardens in many areas, and this rank with the best of them. We were lucky enough to visit during peak blooming season for rhododendrons, and the display of them was fantastic. There is a lot of acreage of beautiful plant and floral displays, and you can walk paths all the way back to the coast, where the views are amazing. There is a "steeper" path (not really too challenging) and another that is more suitable for use by wheelchairs or scooters for those who need them. In between 1 nd 2 hours you can do a very thorough review of the grounds.

We’ve never been disappointed by this garden. This time the rhododendrons were in full bloom and it was also a great time to see native wildflowers. We love the transition from beautiful display gardens to native plants (as you head to dramatic ocean overlook). Another good time to visit garden is in July/August, when the dahlias & heathers are blooming.

Found this listed on visit Mendocino website. Lovely gardens. Dahlia gardens lovely this time of year. It’s a nice diversity to go from gardens to redwoods to the ocean on a nice walk.

Really enjoyed it.

We went to Fort Bragg to see the famous "Glass Beach" that is no longer there but that is for another review. This garden looks small from the outside but inside its massive. If you keep walking you will reach the coast with beautiful views. Totally worth checking out if you are in the area.

Lots of native and exotic plants. Acres of paths to use. I took the scooter all the way to the ocean view. Nice gift shop. Many informative book to purchase about plants.

Great collection of plants and a great view of the ocean. Many different trails that all reach to the ocean.

we had a wonderful time. There were lots of signs so you didn't get lost. wheelchair access. I would recommend the botanical gardens

Fabulous garden & protected view of the ocean.
Beautiful walk through countless varieties of flora & fauna. Something for Everyone! Highly recommend.

Our ride on the Skunk Train was cancelled last minute - we checked Trip Advisor to see what else we could do in Fort Bragg. Glad we did! Wife is a gardener and enjoys learning more ideas. Beautiful gardens with 4 miles of trails - but you can make it shorter if you're not up for a long hike. Wonderful rhododendron collection.

We passed this twice, thinking it was a small, local attraction. We could not have been more wrong! So much going on in their 47 acres, including garden beds, trees and shrubs, and a coastline hike to enhance the varied horticultural experiences. We went to pass an hour and stayed three. Well worth your time!

They have 47 acres of gardens and paths. The dahlia garden was amazing. Unfortunately our visit did coincide with the rhododendron blooming. This Garden is certainly worth the visit.

Pleasantly surprised of these gardens! Well manicured, nice paths, beautiful flowers. Be sure to walk out to the ocean, the views are amazing

This is a local gem. No matter what time of year or even what the weather is like, there is always something to enjoy at the gardens. The dahlia garden is a riot of color and textures during the mid to late summer. From spring until early summer, the rhododendrons put on a non-stop show of reds, pinks, purples, and whites. The ocean view from the bluffs is breathtaking. During the late spring and summer, Rhody's Cafe is open for lunch and snacks. Your ticket allows you return privileges for the day, so take advantage of that. Drive up to Fort Bragg and buy a picnic at one of the markets and come back to have lunch at one of the many tables scattered throughout the gardens. If you're a birder, make sure you have your binoculars, as there are a lot of birds to enjoy.

Beautiful!!! The gardens have different areas for different plant habitats, but the most spectacular are the rhododendrons that flourish here! The number of flowers in every imaginable color made this incredible!!! Plus, they have trails to their coastal area- excellent walk through a bit of forest and the north coast is incredible! Well worth a few hours!

We weren’t expecting to see much in bloom a few bulbs, Heather, succulents and winter vegetables but the walk through the gardens and views from the surrounding bluffs of the ocean were beautiful. One restroom was open inside the garden. Open Wednesday-Sunday.

We so enjoyed our time spent here,would recommend any garden loving person a visit,and lovely views out to the ocean from the walking trail.

This is our third time at the gardens. This time the Dahlias were spectacular!
We come every three years is so and this is always a stop when we are in Ft Bragg.
Check with you hotel to see if they have discount tickets..save a couple of bucks

This botanical garden exceeded my expectations by far. It is beautifully maintained and there is so much nature and many unique flowers and trees! Our favorite part of the trail was going to the edge of the coast line past the meadow. Super beautiful! Would love to come again in the spring time for different blooming flowers.

Really enjoyed our visit. The landscaped portion was just beautifully maintained and presented and very colorful. An added benefit is that the gardens also include a walk to the ocean on the headlands, so you get a chance for a great walk as well.

A wonderful way to spend a coup,e of hours and well worth the price of admission.

The gardens had me in awe each and every step I took. As we walked I could not take my eyes off all the surrounding beauty. I would say Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a definite Must See for anyone not matter the age. The Flowers looked almost fake to the beauty and perfection. The vegetable garden had vegetables I had never heard of and most had a small sign with what it was. The kids (17 yr olds) loved the dinosaur eggs and stopped to take pictures as I continued taking pictures of all the gardens. We stayed over 2 hours and I felt like I could have stayed longer. Thank you to all who created such a little bit of heaven here on earth.

This was probably my favorite place in Fort Bragg. They have a huge variety of flowers and plants, sheds and green houses that look like cute cabins, rose garden, cacti and at the end, there's the ocean! They also have a nice gift shop and you can buy plants if you want. I loved this place and can't wait to go back

The garden is just beautiful. We walked out to the headland which is lovely. It’s a very nicely laid out garden with something for everyone. They also have electric scooters with you have mobility issues. They allow dogs into the gardens which is nice.

Living in the Sierra foothills, we manage a week in Mendocino only once a year and we always visit these charming gardens. When one realizes that all this magnificence is the result of enthusiastic volunteer labor, it’s all the more impressive!
At this time of the year, the rhododendrons are in full bloom and they do look beautiful!
When you visit, take your time to meander through the grounds and take in all there is to see.
The reward, at the halfway point is to reach the Headlands where the ice plants are in bloom. The diversity of color is amazing! The sea view isn’t half bad either.
If you visit the gardens once, you’ll return again and again, hopefully at different seasons when you can enjoy different specimens at their peak.

This was our first trip to the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. We were not sure it would be worth the cost or if our kids would like it. Well, it is worth the admission price and we all enjoyed hiking on the trails. So many beautiful blooming flowers and different trees. Great views of the ocean. We also all found something to enjoy for lunch at the cafe. We would all definitely go again.

These gardens could take a whole day to explore. Unfortunately we were not able to walk to the ocean due to walking ability. The Dalia's were the highlight of the day. they were in full bloom and spectacular.
The staff was very helpful in answering any questions we had.
We plan on going back the next time we are in the area.

Watch out, it is all to easy to lose yourself completely in this paradise! You have a sense of the day passing as you trek through the acres and acres of incredible fauna, the air and colorful blooms tickling your senses. Then you emerge out of the forest and the Pacific Ocean is on full display before you. It is at this point that time becomes irrelevant! We only spent two hours at the gardens on this visit; 4-6 hours would have been optimal, and is needed to take in all the wonders of the park. Definitely one of the best botanical gardens that I've ever been in, and worth a visit over and over again!

We often visit gardens and when we saw the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden we had to stop. It was a very wet and rainy day but that didn’t matter. We ate at the little cafe on site - very tasty! And with our raincoats and umbrellas we strolled the garden. It’s filled with a wonderful variety of flowering plants. So glad we stopped. (As a bonus there was an outdoor wedding being held and it was our 40th Anniversary!)

Tranquil serenity can be found at Mendocino Botanical Garden. Beautifully maintained with a limited full time staff and an army of loving volunteers. Their handiwork and love of horticulture is evident is as you walk through the grounds.
General admission is $15 per person. Be aware that winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To walk the entire trail to the ocean is a half-mile (breath taking ocean views) and there are four miles worth of trails throughout the grounds.
Please note that their cafe doesn't open until mid-April. Their menu is based off of the produce they grow on grounds. The vegetable garden makes you want to cultivate your own fruits (strawberries) and vegetables (lettuce and dino kale).
Benches are scattered along the paths to rest and take in the scenery. It would be perfect to partake a picnic, lunch, or snack at that time.
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a shade hat, water and wear comfortable shoes when visiting here. Also, plan to spend some time at the gift shop looking at unique gifts for the plant and/or animal enthusiast. Truly a enjoyable day well spent.

Much bigger than I expected. Saw all the rhododendrons and the Dahlia field, vegetable garden and Pioneer cemetery. Lovely day outside. Would recommend during these times for fresh air, easiness to social distance(just your family in close proximity during most of the time), and appreciate the well kept gardens.

I just love walking around and see all the flowers in bloom. I love that this property was owned by a family long ago, you can fee the history when you walk through all the great little paths. It is a nice walk, you can spend a little or a lot of time here. Even though it was a rainy day it was a light rain and we could walk among the trees and enjoy the day. I could just sit in the cottage at the end of the trail and watch the waves for hours. Unfortunately the little cafe was closed as a cup of coffee would have been perfect. The gift shop has a lot of nice items too.

Outstanding. Nice range of flowers. Well kept. Friendly staff. High diversity of flowers. Nice vege garden.

As we were driving up the coast from SF to Crater Lake we decided to head to 1. As we got to Fort Bragg I checked Trip Advisor to see what was recommended and found this garden. It is an incredible combination of east and west coast varieties in a lush and complex array throughout. The hike (walk) to the Cliff House/ocean is easy and lovely with many stops along the way to see the different sections. Dogs on leashes allowed. A good destination spot or stop off to stretch your legs and take in the beauty.

We have been many time with kids without kids with dogs it is beautiful way to spend a few hours anytime of the year. They even had an inexpenspensive electric cart for my disabled wife cost maybe $8. Dogs loved it to.

If you are into plants and flowers a nice easy walk, you do not want
to miss the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. The cost is not that much for what you get. You could spend 3-4 hours here. We spent only two and it was not enough to truly appreciate the gardens. The premises has good signage, most paths are easy to transverse but some areas are not wheelchair accessible. But there is still plenty for persons with challenges to see. The staff was most helpful in guiding newcomers on what to see given the amount of time you wanted to spend. The Dahlia and Fuchsia gardens were spectacular. We walked the entire garden all the way out to the ocean. It was easy for us and we are in our 70's. There is also a plant shops to purchase various plants as well as a gift shop. DO NOT MISS this attraction while in Ft. Bragg.

We lucked out and were here during the rhododendron blooming season. There were spots on our walk through the garden that were overwhelming - flowers cascading like water falls and the variety of colors amazing. Give yourself time to walk out to the bluff area and relax on a bench - it doesn't get any better.

Get your ticket online or be the KAREN who complained her internet didn't work. I got mine to work and offered it to her, yet she still complained and then hers started to work. A MIRACLE. Oops no more 1 ticket left, but more in an hour. Didn't ruin my trip to the garden. Great views, friendly staff.

Awesome stroll all the way to coast! Easy walk! Every kind of blooming tree, flowers, you name they have it, plenty of bathrooms, handicap facilities. Breathtaking views of the coast. Cute gift shop and restaurant.

What a terrific botanical garden. The Dahlias were in bloom. There are more trails and spaces than you would imagine. Each is wonderful. Being adjacent to the ocean is marvelous.

Visited at end of day. Beautifully laid out with a wealth of plants. Didn’t get the chance to go down to the sea. Definitely a place worth a visit.

This is one of my favorite places. I have visited several times over the years. Springtime is incredible but I just love the dahlias in September. The variety and setting is fantastic.
The entire grounds are lovely to explore all year round. There are lovely sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. There are trails of different levels of difficulty. There are beautiful formal gardens and natural areas. There are trails that run along the jagged coast, with ocean views.

Just a short 10 minute drive north of Mendocino on Highway 1 is Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG) in Fort Bragg where Winesong, which has been called “America’s best charity wine event,” is held each September. Botanically speaking, MCBG is best known for its collection of “tender species” rhododendron native to Burma, China and Tibet. Shutterbugs will appreciate that MCBG stays open for photography’s “golden hour” Thursday-Saturday from July to September. You can click on the “What’s in bloom” page of MCBG’s website to plan your visit.

Well worth the money and the visit. The Gardens are off the charts beautiful. If we lived here we would be members. A true gem!

We absolutely enjoyed our visit. The property is very large and accessible to wheelchairs. We saw many people bringing their dogs and just enjoying strolling the grounds. We walked most of the property and took in the majestic views of the beaches.

What botanical garden do you know that tracks the dog visitors besides the people? Different & cool. An amazing property that incorporates something for all ages and abilities- having wheelchairs for rent along with sensitivity for the terrain and accessibility was impressive. Adventures for kids! Some great thought has gone into the development of this haven that captures the micro-climate and diversity that abounds-- blooms occur throughout the year from a variety of species, you can purchase plant specimens, grab a snack, purchase some gifty things, walk to the ocean overlook and hangout, and cover the entire property in a decent walk of over an hour. We just caught the dahlias in bloom and what a treat to see that color and bloom variety. Definitely a photographer's mecca. The staff are absolutely delightful, engaging folk who obviously love what they do. Will be coming back to soak up more of the unique plants.

Allow yourself some time to enjoy these gardens which have over a mile (round trip) of well maintained trails through various areas of the gardens and to the ocean. Don't rush. There are plains, forest areas, beach cliffs with wildlife views, lawns, sculpted garden areas with different varieties of plants, a beautiful vegetable garden, a nursery, and more. Even in November without much blooming, it was gorgeous! Even the ground cover is stunning. The Display House with its Begonias was stunning. Coming back when the trees are in bloom. Was there on a weekday and stayed 4 hours!

Goof path around facility but majority of plants are on trails between the paths. There were more potholes in these trails than in a pottery. Would not recommend to anybody with walking disabilities
A lot of plants were not identified. Gardener said our questions on names were the most commonly asked questions. Put a sign up!

PRO'S: This is a spectacular 47 acre botanical garden featuring 100's of different local and international plants thriving in this locale. We spent a delightful three hours on a self-guided tour thoroughly viewing the gardens. The front section is mostly colorful, ornamental plants that can be toured in 90 minutes

CON'S: None. Dress for changes in weather

SUMMARY: This is a must visit for anyone enjoying ornamental gardening. We particularly enjoyed the Dahlia section.

The staff were amazingly helpful. There was "cart" rental for a very reasonable price, which turned out to be electric wheelchairs. Being told the trail was about 1/2 mile to the ocean, I opted for a wheelchair and am certainly glad that I did because it seemed that the trail was much further than that. The gardens were amazingly beautiful and the ocean view at the end of the trail was exceptionally grand. It was so peaceful and made one feel very calm. Everything about it was enjoyable.

While in CA, my wife and I visited the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. It is a beautiful garden with well-maintained paths and plants. The scenery is beautiful, especially the ocean views at the far end of the gardens. After hiking the gardens, we also had a bite to eat at the garden cafe which was also very good.

So why not 5 stars? Dogs, dogs, and more dogs. At times, we felt we were visiting a dog park instead of a botanical gardens. While there is a leash requirement, it doesn’t do much good when many of the dog owners kept their pets on 25+ feet “retractable” leashes. At our “hometown” botanical gardens, there are certain days of the week and times wherein dogs are allowed. I would suggest that the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens adopt a similar policy instead of allowing dogs each day/hour when they are open.

Stopped by here on a sunny day. Admission fees reasonable. Lovely walks through well cultivated gardens. Plants well labelled. Walk to the coastal path well signed. Spent over two hours without noticing the time. Good gift shop.

We recently attended a wedding in the Dahlia Garden, which is a stunning venue for such an event. After the ceremony, we walked through the gardens and will definitely come here again on our next trip to the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area. Simply stunning, with lovely people - a "must-do" while in the area.

We had a nice time and spent a few hours walking around the gardens and making our way to the coast. There was also a cliff house that we just sat in and watched and listened to the ocean. The trails were nice and we also enjoyed spending some time in the vegetable garden. It was a nice way to end our trip before heading back home.

Wonderful botanical garden and gorgeous view of the crashing waves. Beautiful flowers and wide variety of plant types. One of the best botanical gardens I’ve been to (Montreal, St. Louis and Christchurch, New Zealand are other favorites)

It was a gorgeous sunny Easter midday when we happened upon this delightful place.
It was lush early spring time growth. And we discovered they served delicious sandwiches or soups-- perfect!
It's a big layout in themed growth- from dahlias to vegetables and mulch more.
We're not long walkers any more and I would have liked more specific path direction guides.
But it really was wonderful!!
I urge you to visit!

I go here often. Every season presents a different experience. I also love the art interspersed throughout the Gardens.

You must visit these gardens, the most perfect beautiful, colourful, thoughtfully arranged and spectacular open space experience we have had in years, add to this the coastal walks, lovely cafe and interesting good value gift shop run by enthusiastic friendly staff you have the perfect day out.
Please Visit these gardens we are from the UK and it took a great effort to get here but it was more than worth it.

This is totally worth spending as much time as you have. It's 46 acres of beauty with trails both paved and natural. We spent a couple of hours and strolled down to the ocean bluffs. Amazing.We bought some succulents to bring home, Their gift shop and nursery are great. There's even a cafe,

Beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. A nice walk through the gardens to the ocean and back. Art sculptures sprinkled throughout the gardens.

So glad this place was recommended to us. It's larger than we were expecting, with many different areas to explore - spectacular displays of various flowers, trees, succulents and many more. It would be easy to spend many hours here.

What a find! We stopped in on a Sunday morning in October - grounds were very quiet and peaceful. The gardens were lovely; I was especially fond of the succulents and dahlias. Their conifer collection was also super cool! What makes this place so great is its location on a bluff. To emerge from the gardens into the sea air is just magical. Plus we saw a whale while we were wandering around out there so that was pretty special! We can't wait to come back with our little guy in tow - seems like a place many kids would enjoy. Looking forward to our next visit!

We coincidentally came here on their annual "Arts in the Garden" yearly fundraiser event and we were so happy that we did so. It was such a wonderful event, well run, very tastefully done - $30 general admission ($20 if you buy online) + $25 for wine ticket. there were about 12 wineries that brought their wines for tasting, live music all over the massive garden grounds with really quality live bands (jazz, country, etc.), and artists displays, and crafts/jewelry, etc. It was such a lovely day and we were so glad we happened upon it. The grounds itself and the flowers were beautiful and so diverse and well curated. I have been to many gardens and this was one of my favorites. I think Aug is their full bloom season so that probably helped. Their Deliha (sp?) garden was stunning, and the diversity of flora was spectacular. You can also walk to the end of the gardens for coastal bluffs and beautiful ocean views.

I have to admit the price seemed a little steep for a garden 15 per person I believe. However it is a top rated botanical garden in the country so what the heck lets do it. Cashier was super friendly and gave us a map of their rather large gardens. I was surprised to see that the property takes you all the way to the ocean where you can whale watch. They had all kinds of walking bridges, streams, unusual plants, and varied scenery. My husband is a plant nerd and was even able to buy some plants that they had available for purchase at very reasonable prices. It looks like a cafe is opening up soon; that would be a good addition. If you happen to be in the area it can take up a couple of hours the paths are looping and there are cross paths so you can make it a short or a long walk.

Well worth a visit, we were 80s to 20s in our group and all enjoyed the visit. I only wish we had more time as we got there late and did not have time to explore to the coast.

Went here in late summer so most flowers had already bloomed but it was still a beautiful place.

Good to know is that the café is closed after Labor Day. But there's a sandwich place next door where you can get food and bring for a picnic inside the garden.

It was maybe a bit expensive with $15pp.

The place is riddled with rhododendrons so coming here in early spring should be jaw dropping. It was a bit expensive

We took the grandkids to the gardens over the holidays and they were decorated from dirt to sky. What a fun and spectacular visit for the whole family. They also had fresh made food and drinks available. The plants were also beautiful and would be worth a visit during the spring without all the lights.

I was hesitant to spend the money to visit the gardens because I have always associated them with the show-stopping spring rhododendrons. Will anything be in bloom in November? The answer is "yes". The Dahlias are fading fast but they were still vibrant and colorful. Without the rhody distraction you can enjoy the more subtle heather, the succulents and the evergreens along the path to the ocean. It's a great place to spend a couple of hours.

Beautiful gardens located right off the main road on 47 acres leading all the way back to the coast. Great diversification.

It was a cool day at the gardens. My wife and I walked all over the gardens. From the beginning to the ocean and back. Due to COVID you needed to make a reservation and you have only a few hours to visit. We picked the 1 PM time slot and had a grand time in the garden and walking the trails. I would highly recommend this stop.

Repeat visitor to these gardens and have come at different times of the year. Rhododendrons were in bloom when I visited this time. Lots of great trails, plants, creeks, views, etc. Would always stop in when traveling this way!

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a highlight in that area, although we were shocked to discover that Highway 1 signage provided no alert about its approach until the Gardens' own sign was glimpsed from the highway. We almost missed it!
Inside we found a fascinating collection of gardens and other plantings to delight even someone who is not a fanatic gardener. A leisurely stroll through here was soothing for the soul.
An added bonus was that the farthest reaches of the property from the Gardens' shop provided stirring views of the rugged Pacific coastline from bluffs above the ocean.
These lovely gardens should be on the must-see list of any visitor to the Mendocino area.

We have traveled worldwide where we have visited botanical gardens. This remains one of my all time favorites. Plan to spend 2-3 hours. Well marked plants and trails. Friendly staff. Nice garden shop.Can't say enough about this garden. Even in the winter, this garden is worth your time.

When you pull up there is no way you can know what a fabulous garden this is. It is open to all well behaved dogs! Kids have a ball here... free to run and explore. There are two main trails through the garden and then to the beach, one easy and smooth for wheelchairs and strollers, and one a little steeper for a little more exercise. The bluff is beautiful and a wonderful panorama. On the way back please visit the vegetable garden... it is so perfect, I wondered how many volunteers must work there to have it so fabulous. The snack bar is a special treat at the end of your lovely time. You can ever purchase plants to take home before you leave.

The gardens are well-planned, with a variety of floral environments. Looking at one grouping, you can turn around and see another, different, scene. It's a nice walk and also a nice place to relax on one of the many benches. If you're going to be a repeat visitor, buy a membership...this is not an inexpensive place.

A beautiful peaceful place. Gardens & trails. Do not miss it if you visit the area. Plan to spend a few hours, walk to the ocean. Go eat lunch & return later. You have in/out privileges with your entry ticket.

We visited the botanical gardens while staying in mendocino. The gardens are extensive and beautiful! It was very relaxing to see all of the various flowers and plants while strolling along the paths. There is a nice gift shop on the premises that has many interesting gifts. This is a wonderful outing for part of the day.

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is unbelievably beautiful and quite unique. It has a wonderful, and typical botanical garden area of native plants, with most of them being marked so you know what you are looking at. The uniqueness is twofold. First of all, in the typical area, there are lots of trails and walkways between and among the plants so that you can really be by yourself to admire the beauty. There are also wooden benches placed in appropriate areas to rest and ponder. Secondly, after walking through the typical gardens you can go through wooden gate and then follow some trails out to the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Somehow they have managed to get some of the best views of the ocean incorporated into the gardens. Yes, you have to pay for this experience, but we found that it is well worth the price. Reservations are encouraged.

Wonderful tour - make reservations online ahead of time. Gardena were beautiful but it was also a nice coastal trail walk. Highly recommend

The gardens combine much of the wonder of the north coast into a single, compact experience. Here you will find an amazing display of natural beauty, from the incredible gardens themselves, to the trails along the bluffs and the majesty of the ocean. The main trail has several branches with varying degrees of difficulty, and they are all well signed and described. The facilities are excellent; well manicured trails and grounds, snack bar, clean restrooms, a gift shop and helpful staff. It is also pet friendly, and our dogs seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.

Phenomenal garden with a multitude of trails, breathtaking views of the ocean and innumerable plants to enjoy. We spent 4 hours at the garden and could have easily spent another 4 hours and still not seen everything. Highly recommended if in the Ft. Bragg area.

This is a sweet place to visit. The gardens were lovely and the walk by the sea worth the visit alone. Nice little cafe with ice cream for after the walk.

Nice enough botanical gardens - relaxing stroll with great coastal views at the back - not cheap but a pleasant walk for 60-90minutes

We enjoyed the gardens SO MUCH. One of the best I've been to. If you love flowers, don't miss this! Take time to walk through the rose garden. Trail signage could be a bit clearer in back areas.

Didn’t see a lot of bees till later and only a few. The scenery is as expected, awesome. Very nice place to walk and relax. The trail takes you out to the cliffs or not, up to you. Pretty cool that they have a small nursery that you can buy plants.

This is a do not miss destination for anyone spending time in Mendocino. Walking paths are beautifully dotted with hundreds of different plant and flower species and marked with well thought out signage describing all the plant life on the Mendocino Coast. The staff are all friendly and live to answer questions. Dis are greeted with the same enthusiasm and allowed on all the paths leashed of course. You can easily spend 2 hours plus. Take a picnic as there are some glorious spots to sit and have lunch.

Its the most beautiful walk through a garden I have ever experienced. Beautiful well designed planting beds, well maintained, lots of labeling for those who wish to know. Dogs allowed - what a bonus! Can't wait to go back.

Wow this place is absolutely amazing. We were their in May 12th 2018. Right when the rhododendrons were blooming. We didn't even know abou tem so just got lucky. What a site. Everything in that garden is to die for . It's like a storybook when you enter. .They also have a cafe that's nice.

Very nice layout and great location. Lots of plants with nice walking paths that lead out to the ocean with a million dollar view. Nice nursery to buy plants.

The gardens are spectacular. We wandered around all the trails, and saw more and more beautiful plants and flowers. Be sure to take one of the trails to the coast. We liked the fact that the trails are marked according to difficulty.

So many acres of beautiful plants and flowers!! You could spend at least half a day or more here enjoying these gardens. So many colors and such diversity! Got some wonderful ideas to take home!

We spent about four hours here walking the garden to the coast. Beautiful gardens and lots of various types of plants and trees. Worth the visit for certain. Good cafe there also. Make this part of your day in Fort Bragg. Take the path to the ocean while you are there.

A very large area with hundreds of various rhododendrons, heaths and heathers, flowering trees, and on and on. Stretches from the main road to the ocean about 1/4 mile hike there. Fresh air, great exercise, all plant life is labeled as to exactly what it is.

We only had a short visit because we got there late, but we thoroughly enjoyed our time. The flowers were beautiful.

The Botanical Gardens were all a glow with beautiful Christmas lights. We went at sunset. The staff was friendly and very helpful.

We love these gardens. They are laid out creatively and are well cared for. The Dahlia gardens is always our favorite and we were not disappointed this trip. An added bonus are the trails that wind through the different gardens and the spectacular ocean views on the far reached of the property. Highly Recommended!

My husband and I came to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while on vacation to Fort Bragg for our anniversary. We loved the beautiful gardens at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens! The Rhododendron Collection was in full bloom and they were gorgeous to view in person!

We also loved viewing the Vegetable and Orchard Gardens as well as the Parrish Pioneer Cemetery/Homestead. Best of all was coming upon the Pacific Ocean and seeing the views of waves crashing on the rocks and beach below the bluffs!

In the most unlikely location on the side of the road. Amazing botanical gardens that reach to the ocean with performance spaces and even a cafe.

If you have any love of plants, or just want an eyeful of spectacular beauty, this is a great stop and a refreshing balance with the towering redwoods. Even if you have only an hour, make a stop and walk through the near perennial garden. Be sure to check out the succulents - typical desert plants that have adapted in weird and wonderful ways to the moist climate of the CA coast. Could easily spend 3 - 4 hours exploring the various paths among different flora.

Lovely gardens with a small flat hike out to the ocean's edge. Really nice area and pretty flowers. Different than a lot of gardens I've visited. One hour to hour-and-a-half should be enough time.

Wowowowo- the volunteers at the front desk were so enthusiastic to share their love of the gardens...so refreshing-strolling for hours was such a special experience.. my sensory system became alive ...lunch in the rhody garden cafe was so special- the chowder danced with love as i enjoyed each spoonful....wow- the garden salad, with th homemade dressing , and the grilled cheese kept me wanting more- yet so satisfied...

I chose to get tickets for the Botanical Gardens to give us a good place to go out and get a feel of the area, as it was our first time there. We really enjoyed the well paved walkways, the beautiful gardens, and the friendly others who were all well masked as we walked through the Gardens. I told my husband multiple times that I can only think it would be the PERFECT place to hold a wedding.

We went when most was not in bloom. It is a nice walk and beautiful where you meet the ocean. The flowers that were blooming were gorgeous! Recommend for a nice walk!

Enjoyed walking through these gardens, trails meandering through different gardens, and then an opportunity to explore the beautiful coast. Stunning. The labeling in some of the gardens was somewhat inconsistent (I know my veggies, and there were some definite mistakes, and some gardens were pretty label free, and I would have been interested in identifying more of their many plants), but it seems to be mostly staffed by volunteers, and overall, it's a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon.

Incredible experience and very therapeutic. The gardens offer a huge variety of beautiful plant species and the views of the Pacific Ocean are amazing

Incredible gardens one of the best in the United States. Cafe is very good and a great way to start or end your day.

Outstanding display of Rhodenndrands in May. Strong chilling Windsor did not detract from the vast range of plants and outstanding seascapes. A very pleasant and enjoyable visit thoroughly recommended.

We visited on Thanksgiving weekend knowing that the gardens would be entering their winter cycle. Few plants were blooming but even so, the gardens were nice to walk through and the views of teh ocean from the bluffs was spectacular. A good value for the money. We plan on returning at the end of March, the recommended best time to visit the gardens.

I’ve been to the Mendocino area twice, once in the summer and once in spring, and I’ve been to the Botanical Garden both times. They have a good variety of plants and flowers that are very well maintained. There is always plenty in bloom. It’s expansive and extends to the coast with nice walking trails throughout. It is leashed dog friendly, which we appreciated, since our dog accompanied us on our trip. We encountered many well behaved dogs and owners.

The gardens are a very special place to visit with family. The grandkids love the freedom of going through the park and enjoying all of the flowers, play areas etc. The view of the ocean along the trail is outstanding. The café and gift shop at the entrance add up to a fun time for all.

It was off season and fairly cold when we went. There were not very many flowers in bloom but there was enough
to give you an idea of the garden would look like when its in full bloom. The garden is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them, It seemed that a lot of the locals had memberships to the garden just so they could walk their dogs.
Be wary of the vegetable garden area, this is where they make their compost and you can imagine the smell.

I recently went back to the botanical gardens for their annual Festival of Lights. It was a great display and provided a different perspective on the gardens. I loved the whimsical displays of sea and land creatures and overall beauty of the lights. Musical entertainment by local groups was provided in a heated tent, and beverages and goodies were available for purchase.

A wonderful gem of an attraction. So much variety, from blooms to vegetables and coastal walks. Very friendly staff who were happy to answer questions. $15 was a little expensive but we did have a lovely few hours.

If you're in the Mendocino / Ft. Bragg CA area, this is a MUST SEE stop. The grounds are immaculate and the variety of vegetation is amazing. A short walk through the gardens brings you to the ocean with spectacular vistas of the rocky coast. There are plenty of benches along the way if you need to rest, relax, or just take in the surroundings. Whether you want to spend a short hour or several hours, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is worth the stop.

On the way back to Mendocino from riding the skunk train we stopped to see the gardens light show. It was well done and gave the grandkids a little time to run around. We were there right as it was opening and got one of the few parking spaces left so go early

I had to drag my husband here, however after the first 10 minutes, he had to admit that this was worth it. The many trails leading to different gardens were beautiful and very tranquil. We spent about 3 hours there, sometimes just sitting on a bench and enjoying.

This is a very well maintained formal gardens with a short walk out to the ocean where you can view Cabrillo lighthouse and spot various hawks in the marsh reeds.

This place will surely charm everyone - not just green-thumb gardeners. Easy to find just south of Fort Bragg town. Plenty of parking. Restrooms scattered throughout the 47-acre property. Multiple paths with several paved for easy handicap access. Modest entry fee payable in the well-stocked gift shop. Gardens contain beautiful mature trees in carefully manicured areas with a perfect mix of annuals, perennials, and ground covers. Rhododendrons and azaleas are a late spring specialty - stunning bushes covered in every blossom color you can imagine. Wander to your heart's delight. And if you're truly inspired, there's a nursery on site where you can pick up many plants found in the Gardens. Be sure to plan time for lunch at Rhody's Garden Cafe while you're there.

This garden is a jewel in the beautiful place of Mendocino . As you enter this garden - the view of the riot of colors of the flowers , plants and greets you ! The hidden gem is more vast then then can imagine . A true paradise for anyone who loves walking - there are trails whithin and along the coast . Beauty of this lies in the having the most colorful flowers , shrubs , and grasses blending naturally with the elements . Soul pleasing . The few benches thoughtful provided at the most scenic place in the garden are inviting . Peaceful , serene and awesome . There a hefty entree fee . Concession for seniors . There is a cafe , and a Gift shop . A must visit place .

We spent almost 2 hours enjoying the trails around the beautiful gardens. Lot’s of variety of climates. You should purchase your tickets online. When we visited in early August we had great weather. Very dog friendly as well. Parking lot is not very big.

What an amazing awesome and beautiful place. We timed it perfectly for the Dhalia bloom.
We spent 3 hours and it was perfect.

With covid, you need to buy your tickets online ahead of time.

Great for everyone

Such a lovely place to walk, can spend a whole day taking in all the grounds!!
Dog friendly too..on leash of course!

What a side trip to take to view this beautiful garden? I was on an 11 day road trip up to Redwoods National Park and State parks up North and decided on my way home to visit some Botanical gardens along the way. I belong to Descanso Gardens and my membership allows me to visit other botanical gardens and I always try and do that. I took the cut off from 101 to Ft Bragg and man was it a drive. Beautiful scenery, a curvy 2 lane road through the forest and out to the coast. So worth the white knuckle drive. LOL. This beautiful garden was such a treat. I made it just in time to spend about 40 minutes there. I will have to go back and stay in Ft Bragg and spend a few hours next time. The colors of the rhododendron were spectacular. The trails to walk and the gardens to visit were amazing. I highly recommend this beautiful north coast garden for plant and flower lovers. The coast trail amazing. Take a side trip and enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

This botanical garden sits right on the coast. Once you enter you will see hundreds of different flowers set in different gardens. You can hike all the way down to the beach and back if you want to. They also have a food garden area to show you local veg.; To bad you can't take samples. They do offer a senior discount. Note they have a cafe on site if you want to get a bite to eat.

This is a wonderful garden with a walk through a variety of environments. At the far western part, there is an open area with very nice views of the coast. Staff are friendly and helpful. There are specialty display gardens for dahlias, local plants, begonias, vegetables, succulents. There is a store with a variety of plants available.

A fantastic seaside massive garden. I've been there many times and I think Dahlia time is my favorite

Beautiful grounds, extensive plantings on 47 acres. Dahlias were in bloom and they were amazing. A must stop if in the area. Very well organized with Covid safety protocols.

The weather here is conducive to growing gorgeous flowering plants such as fuscia and rhododendron. This garden has the added bonus of stretching out to the coastal bluffs for amazing views.

I didn’t expect too much from the place but oh my gosh. It was huge, they have a literal entire forest in there.

Ended up spending the whole day just getting lost on little side trails and wandering around exploring all the little plants and areas of the gardens freaking out over rare specimens.

Some of the trails are a little steep though so make sure to have shoes you don’t mind getting a little mud on them.

This is my second visit here. Walks all the way to the Pacific with numerous flower, and plants along the way. I would suggest visiting at different times of the year to see varied flowers in bloom.

If you don’t mind spending several hours at the gardens then this is definitely worth walking through. My favorite part was the dahlia garden.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the botanical gardens. The dahlias were in bloom and so beautiful! We loved the trails that took us to the ocean bluffs- the view was spectacular! We enjoyed lunch in their cafe at the end our our visit.

My wife wanted to visit here, but since we arrived at 4 p.m. (and the gardens closes at 5 p.m.), we were not allowed to buy tickets and enter. So come earlier in the afternoon! The place looks huge and if you love flowers, it likely will not disappoint.

As a botanical garden, this is a modest one, with relatively few areas devoted specifically to showcasing varieties of plants. That said, the areas it does have (succulent garden, heritage rose garden, heather garden, woodland garden, etc.) are well curated and maintained. And the dahlia garden must be seen to be believed. More importantly, the garden includes a large area of native plant communities and wonderful walking paths that lead from the main garden area out to the bluffs overlooking the ocean, and include a couple of small side paths that allow the walker to enjoy the sounds of a couple of small streams that run through the area. A big benefit is that the gardens are dog-friendly, so grab your fur baby and head on out!

The Mendocino Botanical Gardens offers as fine as nature walk as anyone could expect. The plants were well groomed and the walking path was well laid out. The variety of flora and fauna is excellent and there seems to be an attempt to accommodate local wildlife.
At the western edge of the Gardens is a coastal trail with dramatic views of the Pacific. We're from the Eastern U.S. where coastal cliffs are a fairly rare sight. Along California Highway 1 there are several miles of magnificent views. The Gardens offers a gentle path to look out at the ocean. Overall well worth the time and effort.

what I thought was just going to be a nursery unexpectedly became the best day of my life I had no idea how HUGE this garden is it’s like a theme park for plant lovers!!! I highly recommend this place thank you for an amazing experience ♥️

So beautiful and calming. Not cheap but you will get your money
worth. Take a minimum of two hours. There are benches to rest. Take water.

Real nice garden with fun trails all throughout and all the way iut to the ocesn.
The Dahlia garden was exceptional!

Gardens are lovely as you meander on a walk to a beautiful ocean view! The walk is good but if you have trouble as someone in our party did, they loan you an electric scooter which only limits you slightly as to which path to take.

I can't believe I've been to Fort Bragg more times then I can count, and never stopped! What an incredible place to walk around. Soooo beautiful! The dahlias, the fuchsias, the birds, the ocean views! What a lovely experience. My partner and I loved it and can't wait to return!

Thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon here. Gardens, especially dahlias were beautiful and walking out on cliffs was a delight. Appreciated vegetable garden where they raise produce for Food Bank. Finally the blackberry cobbler with whipped cream from the cafe was delicious.

A good place to take a walk after a big breakfast or lunch. The dahlia garden in the late summer is a must pick nick and the rhododendrons in the spring are beautiful. Wear layers,good shoes, and bring water.

Such beautiful gardens and leads out to the beach - I wished I had lived closer to have my wedding there! My toddler enjoyed sitting in the gardens and seeing the beautiful flowers as well as the vegetable gardens and then looking out from the cliff house out to the ocean. Absolutely beautiful. We bought a book from the gift shop and I had wished the cafe was open, but we got there too late. We had a great time overall.

Absolutely amazing! A 'don't miss' activity💯💐
We could have easily spent the whole day there. Our dog loved it, the docents were all very helpful and it has a cute, small Cafe inside

Rich in abundant and diverse heather, dahlias, woodland flora, and visitor-friendly amenities. Would definitely return.

I will be honest, I was not too excited to come to this place but now I’m really glad that I did. This place is sooooo beautiful. We spent several hours walking around and enjoying the surround area. I loved seeing the garden area and the Volunteers were great about answering my questions about the different plants are growing techniques. I would have to say that this is a must see if you get to Fort Bragg.

This is one of those botanical gardens that I find particularly inviting. Rather then resembling a research institution, it is more like a diverse and extensive back yard maintained by a plant lover. There are well placed benches to enjoy both dappled and full sunlight, a good mix of flower beds and trees, and just the right amount of randomness. The costal sections of the garden are a real bonus, providing the kind of costal views you only get on the upper half of the West Coast (in my experience, anyway - the southern part of the State has its own considerable charms). Crashing waves, windblown trees, intriguing rock formations. There are well groomed solid paths (much of them seem to be good for visitors using wheel chairs) that go all the way out to the water. Much of the walking is flat, too, so those who are uncomfortable with more strenuous hikes can take almost full advantage. What a treat!

We visited on Easter and lucked out and were there when the entry fee was only $1 each. It's usually $15 for adults and $8 for kids 14 and under. So we saved some cash. The gardens are well done and we enjoyed meandering around for awhile. We then took the trail to the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It was a bit windy down there but a nice walk anyways. They have a nice gift shop and had a lot of plants for sale when we visited. The cafe there was also very good.

I used to work in a Botanical garden and plants and flowers are ‘my thing’ so I loved this gem of a garden! In the spring there are foxgloves everywhere and in summer dahlias are blooming. As an added bonus it has a breathtaking ocean view. It’s world class!

Such a beautiful place and fun to wander through. They offer bird watching walks too. Great ocean views. A must see when in the area.

Wonderful assortment of flowers, succulents, vegetables. The
Dahlias were in bloom and every color possible. And what a treat
at the end of the trail to sit and overlooks the gorgeous view of the ocean.

Although we have been to Fort Bragg many times in the past 40 years, we had never been to the Botanical Gardens. The Daliyias were fantastic!! I'm sure almost any time there would be something that stands out. The gift shop has something for everyone and the Ice Cream cones were great. Next time we will make the walk to the beach, it's just a quarter mile walk.
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47 acres that were awesome to walk through and experience all the flower gardens, vegetable garden as well as a walk by the ocean. Would love to experience it during all the different blooming seasons.

This was an awesome experience small enough to do in a few hours. Beautiful gardens and ocean cliff experience. Have paved walking path great for wheelchair and strollers and more rugged paths for a short hike. Paths are clearly marked so u know what you are getting yourself into.

Beautiful well manicured garden on tremendous grounds that go to the sea. Great items in the gift shop.

We were there a little early for any major blooms but the winter rhododendrons are incredible and overall the gardens are quite impressive. The fern path, the bluff, the cactus and succulent section are just a few of the many wonderful things to see while you're there. We had out dogs with us and spent 3 hours strolling and sitting on benches listening to birds etc. Worth every penny.

We went there while on a road trip on the west coast and it was a really nice visit. The garden is beautiful and well kept with a lot of different varieties. There is a trail that goes to the ocean front easily walkable and suitable for trolley or wheelchair too.

Not impressed with this experience for nothing was in bloom. Nice walking trails and seascape is the only thing we liked and lucky for us we got the senior discount otherwise wouldn't haven't gone.

Beautiful gardens with many paths to explore. You can even walk to the cliffs overlooking the Pacific.

The garden is so well kept. The beauty is so serene and calming. Breathe it in and enjoy the colors.

We were at first a bit reluctant to pay the fee because we knew there was not a lot blooming this time of year. We are so glad did! What a peaceful, beautiful place. We walked to the ocean and sat contemplating for an hour. We then walked the gardens and found another contemplative spot near the river to sit for a bit. Felt relaxed and rejuvenated when we left. Can't wait to return when the garden is at its peak!

I was told by everyone that I told I was going to Ft. Bragg that I had to go to the Botanical Gardens. I had never been to a botanical garden before, and I was indifferent. The friend I was traveling with was in the same boat. Thankfully, since we had heard it from everyone that it was a must see, we decided to give it a try. I was blown away. Granted, at this time of year, not a whole lot was blooming - but we did get to see the begonia house, the rose garden and the dahlias - all were stunning. What blew me away the most was the landscape, especially toward the coast. The 1.4 mile loop is the way to go. The cliff house was a treat, I could imagine hanging out down there on a stormy day. We sat for a while and watched a tug pull a platform across the horizon. We were fortunate with the weather being ideal for this time of year. All in all, if I find myself in that neck of the woods again, I will return.

Not to be missed this is right off the highway. Reservations can be made. There is a gift shop, dahlia gardens, vegetable gardens, rhododendrons galore, cactus/ succulent garden, etc.
One can sit on the benches placed all over, or, take walks on trails through different gardens and head straight for the ocean and cliff house ( where one can sit behind a window and watch the surf) . Very surprised and impressed how extensive this garden is. We spent a few morning hours here, enjoying the nursery , garden and gift shops and views.

Enjoyed our walk through the gardens and views of the ocean. We will come back in the Spring when the Rhododendrons are in Bloom. Expensive entrance fee, though.

I have been to a lot of botanical gardens and this one is at the top of the list. Excellent display of Dahlias and fuchsias. Just beautiful.

Each annual visit to Fort Bragg would not be complete without a visit to The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. In my opinion April and May are the choice months to see the spectacular display of rhododendron and azaleas in bloom, although the walk through the gardens is spectacular any time of year as you wander through the clearly marked trails and paths and take in the views from the trails that skirt the cliffs over the ocean.

Their is a wonderful plant nursery offering divisions and pjopbagations from plants and shrubs from the gardens and a gift shop with the typical tourist array of momentous. However, it is the gardens that take the prize.

This is something you don't want to miss if you are in the area. There are so many wonderful areas to enjoy flowers, trees, bushes, cacti, conifers, etc. There are many paths to follow but if you want to stay on paved paths you can do so. This is definitely ADA accessible and we spent several hours there including the vegetable garden. The gardens shouldn't be missed.

These are lovely gardens, with many species identified. We didn't set aside enough time to experience the whole site, so we'll have to come back.

We really enjoyed the gardens. So many clever paths and interesting plantings. I would love to return at other seasons to see other plants blooming, but feel very fortunate to have seen the sensational Dahlia display. Also like the walk out to the ocean. Great way to spend several hours. We brought our own picnic.

I just love walking around well looked after gardens and this is not an exception. In November there is not a lot flowering but there is still so much to see and wander around.

The gardens are so large and so well cared for. It’s a fantastically beautiful experience and definitely a must visit.

It is a beautiful Botanical Garden located right on the coast. Had a really nice morning there and saw a spouting whale and its tail for about 45 minutes off the bluff. Thankfully the dahlias were blooming and they were beautiful. We had a nice time would definitely come back when in the area

Great experience in a wonderful location. The layout of this garden is exceptional and the trail markings and supporting map add to the enjoyment of a pleasant walk thru nature.

When we next return we will do so when there are more plants showing what must be spectacular colors.

Thanks to those who maintain and support this wonderful attraction!

Visited the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens for the first time, and it fully exceeded our expectations. They have a tremendous variety of plants, flowers and trees in a very well maintained and immaculate protected garden. But the part that we found to be exceptional was the natural area that boasted the spectacular vegetative ecosystem of northern California. The trails are easy to walk and lead throughout the gardens including the coastline. Not to be missed!!

This is perhaps the best botanical garden I ever been to and I highly recommend it. Their Dahlias are in full bloom now and they're a sight to behold. This place has flora I've never seen before, and an unbelievable variety of plant life that I wish could grow on the East Coast. You should plan at LEAST 4 to 5 hrs to truly enjoy roaming and appreciating all there is. You can go through it in 3 hrs and appreciate it but there is a lot of wonder in this garden to take in. DO NOT MISS it. It is well worth the cost. Don't let the humble entrance fool you as it did me. Once I got in I was just always jaw dropping. What an amazing place, just GO.

We visited the springtime week of the annual Rhododendron Festival and the gardens were spectacular. Had no idea Rhododendron grew so huge and tall and in some many incredible colors. The gardens are such a peaceful, serene place and change from more formal near the entrance to wilder and natural out by the Pacific Ocean. Great place for a relaxing walk, and even better they allow your dog to come along.

These botanical gardens are extensive, great for wandering for whatever amount of time you want. Most of the plantings we saw were well grown out, with trees, bushes, and groundcover everywhere. Favorite thing about this place is that the paths criss-cross, so you can meander wherever you want, and there are lots of well-placed benches for sitting and, well, taking it all in. Nice gift shop, inexpensive cafe on grounds.

We visited the garden in July. Our experiences with gardens is primarily formal gardens in the East and Japanese gardens. This was very different and quite interesting. The species displayed were mostly local, and for travellers this provides a great introduction to the flora of the area. There were many interesting bee species to observe as well during our visit. There is a nice circular walk through wilder grounds out to the water's edge.

Could these gardens possibly be any more beautiful ??? I don’t think so! The perennial and dahlia gardens were at their peak and the succulent garden was also stunning. This place is worth a special trip!!!

We decided to have our wedding here, and it was more beautiful than we could have imagined. We rented out the dahlia garden. After the ceremony, we took pictures across the gardens at no extra charge. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. This is a wonderful place to visit, as they have so many flowers. Being by the ocean just makes everything better.

My husband and I loved walking the gardens and taking in all the natural beauty. Awesome gardens along the ocean. Something for everyone flowered, succulents, ocean view. Gorgeous Dahlias were in full bloom. So much beauty to see in the gardens that stretch to the ocean. Don’t forget the Cliff House for amazing ocean views, unfortunately we did not see any migrating whales (to early in the season) for us.

I love this garden, and have been a member for about 20 years. I dropped in one day just to see it. After I left I signed up for a membership. I only live about 1 hour away, so I have easy access to it. I work in the area 2 days a week, so often stop by for about an hour at the end of the day. Right now the Dhalia garden is in bloom, truly a not miss visit if you are in the Fort Bragg area.

Great views of the ocean added to an impressive range of plants makes for a lovely afternoon spent walking around the sun filled gardens.

Wonderful walk with the family. Gorgeous trails. Not too strenuous. And they allow dogs! What could be better?

We loved this place, didn’t have enough time the first time and came back.
Beautiful gardens with a walk to the sea. Many benches to sit on along the route.
There is an outdoor cafe also with a decent variety - I had a hummus sandwich.

We went one afternoon for a few hours and walked peacefully through the trails. Such a pretty place. The dahlias were in full bloom and simply gorgeous. We immensely enjoyed the vegetable garden.
Due to COVID you must make a reservation and purchase tickets on line for either a morning or afternoon tour.

We just visited the Botanical Garden two days ago (in the morning before we did the Skunk Train Rail bikes in the afternoon). Wonderful gardens on 47 acres.

The dahlias were in full bloom at this time so it was lovely to see them in all their glory. I would imagine another special time to go would be when the rhododendrons are in bloom during spring. They have an extensive rhododendron collection.

I bought two Hummingbird mint plants from their nursery and can't wait to plant them in our garden here in Marin County.

Don't miss this wonderfully maintained and extensive Botanical Garden. P.S. Completely dog friendly as well, so our Labrador Retriever gives it a paws up too!

We stop by every time we are in Fort Bragg to see the seasonal gardens. The dahlia garden is a must see- such vibrant colors. We also love the heather/heath garden. We purchased memberships last year to support this serene oasis.

Amazing beautiful gardens with specialized areas and wonderful views of the coast. A must stop to relax from normal life. Dahlias at their peak!

We decided to go here after several people mentioned it as a “must do!” My husband was less than interested but being a good sport, agreed to go! So glad we did! Also so glad we went to the website and saw advance reservations were required. When we arrived with our ore paid admission, they were just placing the “sold out” sign in the parking lot!

The beauty of the flowers and various gardens is just one aspect of these gardens. There is a series of trails that circles the entire property! Views of the coast, along with a cabin respite were some of the highlights!

Flower lover or not, you won’t be disappointed!

The gardens are beautiful, and the views from the cliffs are amazing. I could have sat and watched the ocean all day. I love that they are dog friendly. There were lots of dogs there when we visited.

I have been here several times and never been disappointed! You can hike all over and end up at the ocean’s bluff or you can meander through the top half through the beautiful flowers and cactus. It is well-kept and the staff is very friendly. Easy parking. A lovely way to spend an afternoon!

Love the gardens, and when you get to the end of the trail you are confronted by extraordinary coastal views. During the right season you can also spot wales here.

Beautifully manicured grounds, lots of variety of trees and plants, plenty of benches scattered around for resting and enjoying the lovely gardens. Rhododendrons were starting to bloom, so many varieties. Nice trail to the ocean, with several benches to look out over the cliffs (no beach access). Nicely demarcated areas for different groupings of plants (succulents, heath and heather, perennials, vegetables, roses, dahlias), and of course the rhododendrons. Cafe opens later in April, but we brought a picnic lunch - there are bathrooms and a picnic bench by the ocean. There is a smoother trail for wheelchairs, and a steeper trail with many side trials connecting. Definitely worth a visit.

Don’t miss these gardens. They are stunning. Take the trail to the ocean cliffs and don’t miss the vegetable gardens, manned by volunteers.

Lived in northern California growing up and never went to Ft. Bragg. Visited in August and this botanical garden was fabulous. There are guided tours or you can explore on your own. Dahlias were amazing. Highly recommend visiting here.

We weren't able to enjoy gardens nearly enough due to my husband just having foot surgery. It would be an important thing to note those who will enjoy them the best, should be able to walk them all. Not a 5 due to having been to other botanical gardens that were so much more! Still, very nice and worth a visit.

What a wonderful way to explore the native plants and botanicals of Ft. Bragg. There quite a few trails that allow you to explore without feeling like you are on a tour. Beautiful gardens, Heather’s, and vegetables. The trail leads you to the ocean for a picturesque scene to photograph. They host a small family cemetery and have a nursery for shopping upon the exit. Worth the money!

I love botanical gardens but not at $15 entrance fees. Peeping over the fence it does look very well maintained.

Beautiful gardens. We saw the dahlias in their full glory. The grounds go all the way down to the ocean and there are benches to sit and rest on.

The vegetable garden was also beautiful.

We bought a day pass, but due to the fact that we will be here for 3 months, went back and purchased a membership.

We plan to return.

Fort Bragg was a stopover during our redwood/Pacific Coast Highway trip. We had an afternoon and decided to visit three gardens. We are glad that we did. First, at $15 (discounted to $12 by our motel) it's very inexpensive. The flowers were beautiful as was our short walk to the coast. We are not garden buffs, we can only say that the grounds were gorgeous. Do bring a sweater or jacket as the winds are chilly, especially at the coast

Beautiful flowers, plant and trees, but what is breathtaking is when you make the walk to the Pacific Ocean!

Beautiful gardens with trails to the ocean. The north trail was a bit steep but the south trail was good for people who are handicapped or a bit challenged with hills. The dahlia garden was lovely. There were benches along the way to sit and take in the serenity of the garden. Great views of the ocean.

Delightful gardens with a variety of environments, and reaching right to the headland above the ocean. Fantastic dahlias, and probably one of the world's best displays of heaths and heathers ... and that's just two of the highlights. Dog-friendly, good restaurant ... altogether a wonderful place to visit..

This was a beautiful stop with lots of flowers, plants and trees along with great walk along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Great opportunity for some amazing photos.

Beautiful coastal botanical garden. Well designed, many plants are labeled. A photographer's dream. This place is much larger than it first appears. Something for everyone: a kid's fairy garden, vegetable garden, succulents & cacti, many CA natives. There are lawn areas, art and fountains. Good handicapped access with available motorized chairs. Would love to be there when more rhodies are in bloom. Some we saw looked like beautiful pink nosegays. Discounts for seniors and military.

I was driving through Fort Bragg and decided to stop at the botanical gardens. Everything about this place is done well. The gardens are beautifully manicured, the plant nursery has wonderful specimens, the have a wonderful gift shop, and also a yummy resteraunt. If you are looking for something to do in Fort Bragg, you can't beat this wonderful attraction.

I've been to botanical parks before. But this one had such diversity and beauty. The walk to the coast with our dog was an unforgettable experience. Many different trails and all exceptionally well taken care of. The dahlias were especially beautiful. The gift shop was also unique with some whimsical items. Definitely the best two hours we spent in the Fort Bragg area.

What a wonderful beautiful place. Loved walking to the beach. Gardens are magnificent. I'm glad we went.

The Gardens are at their best spring through fall, but winter brings its own charms, including the chance to visit the oft-overlooked pioneer cemetery where an experimental botanist and his family are buried. One good thing about a wet winter day: not so many folks on the trails, so you have a sense of really being able to enjoy all there is to see.