San Diego Botanic Garden

Encinitas, California, United States

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The San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, California, spans 37 acres and was originally the private estate of Ruth Baird Larabee, who donated it to San Diego County in 1957.

Opened to the public in 1970 as Quail Botanical Gardens, it was renamed in 2009 to its current name. The garden showcases over 5,000 different plant species and varieties organized into 29 themed gardens representing 15 regions of the world, including desert gardens, tropical rainforests, Mediterranean landscape collections, and the largest public bamboo collection in North America.

Notable features include a tropical conservatory with rare plants and hanging plant chandeliers, winding trails shaded by native and exotic trees, and gardens representing California native plants. The garden serves both as a public educational resource and a sanctuary for plant conservation, hosting events, classes, and exhibits that connect visitors with the rich diversity of plant life.