Blog by Lanie Keystone
If the promise of Spring has given you a sense of wanderlust, look no further than a visit to San Luis Obispo (SLO) on California’s Central Coast. It’s just a little over 4-hour drive from Solano or Yolo Counties, or, for even more fun, take a train trip along the coast. Either way, beauty abounds in this brilliant coastal area. Among the most enjoyable sites is the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden—a must-see for every garden enthusiast. As we had the great privilege of recently living in SLO for 5 months, it became one of our favorite places to go.
The garden is set within El Chorro Regional Park, located steps away from the ocean. The unique thrust of this non-profit garden is to highlight and immerse visitors in the five Mediterranean climate regions of the world: California, Chile, Australia, South Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin. Here, it is great fun to come across some very familiar favorites as well as be introduced to some plants found more frequently in the other far-flung 4 regions.
There is something for everyone at this user-friendly garden, including an inviting Children’s Garden, a Fire Safe Display Garden, the Chumash Heritage Garden of the local Indigenous Peoples, and a magnificent Monarch Butterfly Trail. For those interested in research, there is also a fine library available. And, to complete the visit, the ever-tempting gift shop!
Garden interpretation is good for self-guided tours, some with QR Codes for more information. In addition to being kid-friendly and inviting, the garden is also dog-friendly. The paths vary from flat and easy to a bit more challenging as one ascends to the displays of the Mediterranean hill country, with plenty of benches available. There are many annual public events to keep you wanting to return, as well as an active nursery where one can purchase many of the plants on view. A special garden delight is all the whimsical, garden-related sculptures sprinkled as surprises throughout the space. Knowing that the garden is a continuing work in progress, with plans to expand the exhibits to the full 150 acres available, adds to the anticipation of more wonder to come.