Category: Free

A group of hikers waving on a trail on a grassy hill in Elings Park.
January 22, 2026
Wonder Women: Family Fun Event

The Garden is hosting a yearlong series of free native plant meetups at Elings Park, offering creative, educational, and family-friendly experiences each month. Participants can enjoy activities ranging from plein air painting and meditative walks to birding, gardening, storytelling, and even biking and skating. You’ll also learn about our native plant restoration project at the Park. Registration…

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A group of hikers waving on a trail on a grassy hill in Elings Park.
January 22, 2026
Meditative Walk with PALMA Colectiva, Elings Park & the Garden

The Garden is hosting a yearlong series of free native plant meetups at Elings Park, offering creative, educational, and family-friendly experiences each month. Participants can enjoy activities ranging from plein air painting and meditative walks to birding, gardening, storytelling, and even biking and skating. You’ll also learn about our native plant restoration project at the Park. Registration…

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Orange poppy field with mountain and trees in background
January 15, 2026
Member Exclusive: New Members Tour

Details: New members are invited on this docent-led tour of some of the Garden’s habitats, trails, and plants of interest. 2026 Home Garden Tour Chair Lori Robinson will guide attendees and answer questions. Take advantage of this member-exclusive opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the Garden and understand how your membership supports our mission. Please…

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A cluster of blooming Ceanothus flowers in front of a blue sky
January 13, 2026
Botanical Art Sale & Demonstrations with Linda Ann Vorobik, PhD

Details: Join us for a special botanical art sale featuring renowned scientific illustrator Linda Ann Vorobik, PhD. Throughout the day, Linda will offer live demonstration sessions, sharing insights into her process and the intersection of art and botany. This year, she will generously donate 25% of all sales to support the garden. Pricing This event…

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A beautiful bending tree, viewed looking up from the bottom of the trunk. The sky is a vibrant baby blue peeking out behind the bright green leaves of the tree. The branches bend every way creating a mosaic of bark, leaves, and sky.
January 13, 2026
The Trees of California- Lecture with Dr. Ritter | Sold Out

Details: Join professor and author Dr. Matt Ritter for an engaging evening celebrating California’s native trees. In his new book, California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, Ritter profiles 95 remarkable trees, revealing the beauty, diversity, and stories behind the plants that shape California’s landscapes. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, in partnership with the Channel…

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Children observing insects under plastic cups on table.
January 5, 2026
Pathfinders: The Great Insect Hunt

Details: Pathfinders will embark on a bug-filled adventure as we explore the world of insects.  Using investigation methods used by real scientists, we’ll discover how insects and native plants are connected and why they’re vital to healthy ecosystems. This opportunity is great for children aged 8-13. Learn more about Backcountry Pathfinders here. Pricing: Free with admission to the Garden. Parents/guardians…

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Gloved hand planting small green plant in soil.
December 18, 2025
Elings Park Transformation Project | Volunteer Opportunities

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s transformation project at Elings Park has removed thirsty, invasive weeds and replaced them with California-native plants in a one-acre site on the Park’s south bluffs. With plants in the ground, we’re watching and gathering data related to the abundance, diversity, and composition of plant and animal life using this area to…

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A group of hikers waving on a trail on a grassy hill in Elings Park.
December 10, 2025
Native Plant Meetups at Elings Park

The Garden is hosting a yearlong series of free native plant meetups at Elings Park, offering creative, educational, and family-friendly experiences each month. Participants can enjoy activities ranging from plein air painting and meditative walks to birding, gardening, storytelling, and even biking and skating. You’ll also learn about our native plant restoration project at the…

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