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Welcome!

Our gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with social distancing guidelines in effect. Appointments are not required to visit our gardens. 

We offer two options for paying admission:

  • Pay ahead of time online and retain your receipt as proof of payment.
  • Pay onsite by depositing cash or check payable to UC Regents in one of our paytubes.

We are temporarily unable to process credit card payments in person at the Arboretum.

Our gift shop and library are temporarily closed. Plants can be purchased online for scheduled curbside pickup at shopucscarboretum.com.

Our restrooms are open. Please leave doors propped open when not in use and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

Please:

  • Wear a mask
  • Maintain 6 feet of space
  • Bring your own drinking water
  • Conduct a COVID symptom check prior to entering our gardens 
  • If you are sick, stay home
  • Practice good hygiene

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children, and free to our Members and Volunteers.

  • Getting to the Garden

    Directions

    Located on the west side of the UCSC campus, the Garden is between the main campus entrance and the west entrance. Detailed driving directions...

  • Norries admission sign

    Hours and Admission

    The Garden is open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. everyday. Please bring cash or check for admission. $5.00 adults, $2.00 children, free to Friend's Members and volunteers. More...

  • Callistemon regulosus

    About the Garden

    Learn more about the unique botantical value of the Garden's plants. Watch this video narrated by Frans Lanting, noted wildlife photographer.
  • Protea blooming in the garden

    What's Blooming

    There's plenty in bloom throughout the year.  Here's a sample of some of the blossoms that can be seen in any given month.

  • Garden path

    The Gardens

    The garden contains collections of plants from California and the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia) as well as extensive conifer and succulent collections. More...

  • norries entrance

    Norrie's Gift & Garden Shop

    Norries Gift and Garden shop is a local treasure! Plants, books & gifts for all occasions. Open from 10–4:30.  More...

  • Map of the Garden

    Finding Your Way Around

    Walk from California to Australia by way of New Zealand and South Africa! Visit the gift shop or stroll down to the Eucalyptus Grove. Here's a handy map...

  • a garden tour

    Take a Tour

    You can arrange a tour any time of the year. Or, join the free, with your admission, first Saturday tour. Lectures and educational programs are offered throughout the year.

  • Hummingbird perched on a grevillea branch

    Bird Watching

    The Garden is rich in wildlife, and is among the best places for viewing birds in the Monterey Bay area, one of America's birding hotspots. More...

Garden Etiquette

Please help us maintain the peaceful atmosphere people have come to enjoy. For fire safety and the health of other visitors, there is no smoking.

Pincushions (Lecuospermum) in the South African garden

To protect our collection, endangered species, and educational materials: There is no collecting of any plant or animal material of any kind dead or alive. This also means no collecting of any seeds or cuttings. We are required to mention that collecting tadpoles, harassing or touching the federally protected red-legged frogs is against federal law. Adult supervision of children is required. Take only notes (not labels or flowers), leave only footprints.

For your safety: Mountain lion sightings are rare, but read the signs about how to stay safe. Please stay on concrete or dirt paths to avoid poison oak, spines, uneven footing and to avoid compacting the soil over tender roots or trampling small plants.

UCSC does not allow dogs on campus, which includes the Arboretum.