UC Riverside Botanic Gardens

Riverside, California, United States

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The UC Riverside Botanic Gardens were established officially in 1963, originating from a need to have a dedicated space for cultivating plants used in teaching and research at the university.

Botanist Dr. Frank Vasek was instrumental in founding the gardens and became its first director. Spanning 40 acres in the eastern foothills of Box Springs Mountain, the gardens feature over 3,500 plant species from around the world, including native Southern California plants and diverse collections from various global habitats.

The gardens serve multiple purposes such as education, research, plant conservation, and public enjoyment, with winding trails that cover varied microclimates and terrain. Over the decades, they have expanded facilities, added specialty plantings like subtropical fruit orchards, and increased community involvement through the Friends of the UCR Botanic Gardens organization, which supports ongoing maintenance and development.​