Seaside’s Superb Botanical Garden Near Santa Barbara Amazing tips

I'm guessing the price of admission for most botanical gardens is around $20. Granted, many are huge, but what if I told you there's a botanical garden near Santa Barbara on 3-1/2 acres that's free? It's part of an equally impressive nursery---Seaside Gardens, in Carpinteria.

Recently a friend and I stopped at Seaside on a trip to Santa Barbara [learn why we went]. We hadn't planned to spend much time. Well! Seaside's display gardens have always been lovely, but it's astonishing how world-class they've become. The nursery itself also is much grander and more impressive than I remembered. The pot inventory alone...!

In the midst of Seaside's succulent garden is a swath of blue Senecio mandraliscae

I imagine you can relate: There's nothing as energizing as a great garden. We no longer felt tired after hours of driving, nor were we as rabid to get to our host's in Montecito (la-dee-dah). Plus we had to share the cool stuff we'd found. Gal pal (@roachpk on IG) filmed as I flitted, exclaiming over immense tree succulents, enticing pathways, and all sorts of exotics.

Map of Seaside Gardens

Santa Barbara's mild, maritime climate has long made it a garden haven, with numerous nurseries and plants from the world over. In the gallery below, you'll see my Seaside faves. Of course nothing can compare with actually going there and experiencing it with all your senses. And if you do, please let us know what you think!

Your turn...When it comes to botanic gardens you've visited, which is your favorite? Any on your wish list?

Gallery: Seaside Gardens Nursery

Agave attenuata (blue form), Euphorbia milii

Aeonum (Catlin hybrid)

Agave gypsophila flower

Aloe 'Hercules'

Aloe elgonica, flowers

Aloe arborescens, variegated

Aloe elgonica, stressed

Aloe eminensis

Aloe marlothii, Succulent Garden

Anigozanthus (kangaroo paw)

Asian Garden

Australian Garden

Australian garden2

Beaucarnea recurvata, jade

Brachychiton rupestris

Callistemon 'Little John'

Cyphostemma juttae

Dasylirion longissimum

Dianella tasmanica

Furcraea, Puya

Drayndra-leaved banksia

Garden path

Haworthia coarctata

Lily pond

Nursery area

Nursery potting area

Nursery shop, small succulents

Pot rainbow

Seaside Gardens Sign

Small succulents, pots

South African garden

Succulent Garden2

Succulent Garden3

Succulent Garden4

Succulent Garden6

Succulent Garden5

Succulent Garden, showing a swathe of blue Senecio mandraliscae

Tropical Garden

Yucca rostrata, Agave gypsophila flower

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