Arboretum & Botanic Garden Tours

Tour of Aroma, Succulent & Cacti Gardens

GUIDED TOURS

FIRST SATURDAY Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum's plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide and the people who join in. You might learn more about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with extreme weather and climate conditions. 

FIRST SATURDAY Tours

Tours given on the 1st Saturday of each month - at 11am
Admission: $10/person
Members: FREE Admission

Meet your tour guide(s) at the entrance to the Visitor Parking lot.
Walks will be about one hour.

*Tours cancelled if the weather is unsuitable.* 

Click here to learn about our seasonal BIRDS Tours

SELF GUIDED TOURS

The Arboretum offers many wonderful opportunities for exploration and learning for all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities. We have beautiful, information-packed interpretive signs near the entrances to every garden, to help make your visit an educationally enriching experience.

 Preview some of our interpretive signs here: 

Bring a picnic lunch to the Arboretum! There are picnic benches in several parts of the gardens (see map below) and several open, grassy areas, where school groups can sit ​on the ground for lunch or for ​instruction. 

Check out these additional resources and tips for a great visit:

Learn more about the Arboretum's Plant Collections:

* Please notify the Arboretum if your group consists of 6+ cars or a bus, as parking can be limited​. Email us at arboretum@ucsc.edu


Parents and Teachers: Help us protect the plants and the critters that rely on them by keeping children on pathways & open grassy areas. 

For Hours and Admission information:

General Admission