As the summer winds down and you are searching for something to do with the littles – or just something new on a lazy afternoon, I recommend visiting the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. I have lived on the Central Coast for twenty years and had never experienced it until I took a tour with my Rotary Club earlier this year! What a surprising find!
The idea for a botanical garden in San Luis Obispo originated with a Cal Poly student in 1989 and it has developed into a secret paradise in our own backyard. The mission of the board and staff at the Botanical Garden is “to honor and preserve our connection with nature.”
The Garden is located near the Pacific Ocean on the Central Coast between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. The final goal for the 150-acre garden is to demonstrate and depict the ecosystems and plants of the five Mediterranean climate regions of the world once the Master Plan is completed.
They offer a wide variety of activities and events – and they are also available to rent as an event space! Gorgeous for weddings, and idyllic for late afternoon/evening events outdoors – just some of what they provide are:
- Nature education (check out the Birds and Botany session and walk)
- Plant cultivation and propagation
- Water conservation and green energy
- Ecosystem conservation
- Fire-safe landscape display
- Children’s exploration and programming
- Outdoor recreation
- Botanical research
- Live celebration gardens
Check out slobg.org for more details.
3450 Dairy Creek Rd
San Luis Obispo
(805) 541-1400