Regional Parks Botanic Garden — Attraction in Berkeley

What a treasure. So many ways to enjoy the expansive collection of botanical wonders, even if you are somewhat indifferent to them. The meandering and twisted paths scatter visitors across a serene, overgrown valley so that even though you may hear others it still feels like you’ve embarked on a journey of your own on your own. Every turn seems to present a range of surprises — oh! running water (remember that?) or wow, so many manzanitas — that they whet the curiosity and build anticipation for that next bend. I had to keep reminding myself to look up, then down, then back up, over and over, because there’s so much to take in. And I don’t know how many bridges are here but they are of different styles and materials which is another source of curiosity and wonder: who’d insist on such variation and what might it mean collectively and at each individual bridge? The redwood grove, planted in 1946, is a marvel: these trees were planted within the lifetimes of some grandparents and l o o k h o w m a s s i v e . . . So much to explore and discover...

The Tilden Botanic Garden was an enchanting experience that blends the tranquility of nature with engaging family-friendly places to explore. The garden boasts an impressive collection of native plants, showcasing the diversity and richness of California’s flora. What truly sets the Botanic Garden apart is their dedication to sustainability – visitors have the unique opportunity to take a piece of California home by purchasing native plants, supporting conservation efforts while beautifying their own spaces from the Potting Shed each Wednesday from 10am-noon and the 1st Saturday of each month from 10am-2pm.

Whether you have a green thumb or are looking for a wonderful family adventure, this location offers something...

I've visited many different gardens of many different styles, but this by far remains my favorite. When I moved to CA many years back, my friend introduced me to the garden as a botanical introduction to the state. I fell in love with it immediately. The garden is well kept and signage is generally quite good. I would recommend the map/ guide from their website for your visit. Though as they recommend, you'll want to download that before you get there as the cell service is spotty depending on your carrier. The ability to view so many unique native species in a single walkable area makes this a must see...