Arboretum and Botanic Garden at UC Santa Cruz

Located on the UC Santa Cruz Campus at the edge of town, the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden connects people with plants; their amazing forms, textures, colors, smells, unending edible and medicinal values, and the critical habitat they provide to all living things.

Come experience plant life from the Central Coast of California and other Mediterranean climates similar to our own. Our plant collections feature a diverse selection of plants from parts of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Chile. We have an enticing ‘Aroma’ garden, stunning Succulent garden, and extensive Conifer collection. We’re a fantastic destination for birdwatching, photography, and picnics – bring your binoculars, cameras, and lunch! Visit Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop for fun gifts, books and home decor or purchase unique plants propagated on-site from our garden collections.

All Admission Fees and gift shop proceeds help to support the Arboretum, a largely self-supporting unit of the University of California at Santa Cruz. Become an annual Arboretum Member and enjoy many membership benefits, including free admission to hundreds of gardens across the U.S. and discounts at local nurseries. For more information, please visit arboretum.ucsc.edu/support.