Be Local, Plant Local | 20% Off Weekday Admission for 805 Residents

Celebrate fall with a special weekday discount for residents of the 805. To redeem, use coupon code “Fallinthe805” at checkout

In celebration of fall, we’re opening the Garden to our central coast community at a special 20% off admission. And, we’ve packed our events calendar with even more ways for your family and friends to enjoy the season.

Reservations are required to visit for non-members, so book today before spaces sell out. If you live in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, or Kern Counties, you qualify! To activate your discount, enter “Fallinthe805” at check out and bring a valid picture ID with you on the day of your visit. It’s that simple!

If you’re not familiar with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, it is one of the more unique botanic gardens in the nation. As the first botanic garden to focus exclusively on native plants, you’ll experience the beauty and unique diversity of California’s incredible ecosystem – all within an afternoon stroll just a few miles from the heart of Santa Barbara! You’ll cross through deserts, walk along a meadow, experience the quiet of a riparian system, gaze up at majestic redwoods, see sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands, and even run, play, and explore in our newest section, the Backcountry.

“Fall is beautiful at the Garden when cooler temperatures trigger activity in plants and transform the Garden into a feast for the eyes. Many plants only flower at this time of year, making for spectacular bursts of color. Some of my favorite fall plants are Purple Asters, Yellow Goldenrod, and California Fuchsia. The Garden is a must-see Fall destination.”

-Keith Nevison, Director of Horticulture and Operations

Not only is fall a beautiful time to visit, it’s also one of the best times to plant native plants. That’s right, your new native plants should go into the ground in the fall, ahead of our rainy season, to help your new buds get established before our dry, hot summers begins. That’s why we love the fall and we’re looking forward to celebrating the season with all of you.

Adventure Awaits

To find your inspiration, we have a lot of great events and classes planned to add to your fun and, when you’re ready, help you be successful with starting a native habitat of your own. Here’s a glimpse of what the season has in store, but please check our calendar page as new adventures are always being added.

Thanks for being local and planting local with us. We hope to see you soon!

OCTOBER

“Depth of Field: Botanical Photography Through the Low-key Lens” Gallery Exhibit | Now through Dec. 9, 2023, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photographs from the Garden’s Archives present dramatic portraits of native plants taken using dim background and bright light. Though created for scientific documentation, the striking images offer a beautiful aesthetic. Free with Garden admission.

WeDigBio – Community Science Event & Volunteer Opportunity | Thursday – Saturday, Oct. 12 – 14

Join thousands of volunteers around the world to document data from the Garden’s collections as part of global citizen-science event Worldwide Engagement for Digitalizing Biocollections (WeDigBio). Held at the Garden’s Clifton Smith Herbarium. Free.

Introduction to Common California Garden Insects with Richard Merrill | Sunday, Oct. 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Join Richard Merrill, founder of the Environmental Horticulture Department at Cabrillo Community College, for an introduction to the world of common garden insects. Held in the Garden’s Blakesley Library. $30 ($15 for Garden members)

Morning Bird Walks with Rebecca Coulter | Tuesdays, Oct. 10, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join birding expert Rebecca Coulter as she leads group walks through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders welcome. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Pruning Native California Plants Demo by Keith Nevison | Saturday, Oct. 14, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Informative, hands-on, two-hour workshop on pruning native trees, shrubs, and perennials led by Keith Nevison, Director of Horticulture and Operations. Held outdoors in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Fall Family Evening Event: All Hallows Evening in the Backcountry |Friday, Oct. 20, 5 to 7 p.m.

Costumes encouraged for an evening of festive fun! Kids create nature masks, weave craft webs and make Halloween ornaments, then trick or treat for a nature-themed trinket. The evening wraps up with a costume parade. $10 Adults, $7 for children 3 to 7 years old (Garden members: $8 Adults, $5 for children 3 to 7 years old)

Free Nature Walks at Elings Park | Saturdays, Oct. 21, 9 to 10 a.m.

Join Garden experts for free walks through Elings Park to discover the biodiversity of the area and discover the progress of a new collaboration to restore an acre of the Park’s South Bluffs with California native plants. Held at Elings Park. Free.

Poetry Workshop with David Starkey: Autumn Comes to the Garden | Saturday, Oct. 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

Workshop participants, led by former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate David Starkey, explore and write poetry about the Garden, with a focus on native flora in autumn. Drafts are shared in small groups. No previous poetry writing experience is needed. Suggested minimum age is 18. Held in various garden locations. $40 ($35 for Garden members)

Introduction to the Principles of Native Plant Gardening with Matt Straka | Sunday, Oct. 22, 9 to 11 a.m.

Introductory class for home gardeners interested in learning about native plants. Learn the basics of habitat gardening with native California plants. Includes classroom presentation, walk through the Garden, and visit to the Nursery. Led by Retail Manager Matt Straka, who runs the Nursery. Held in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Advanced Track: Pruning California Plants with Stephanie Ranes | Saturday, Oct. 28, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Advanced course for native plant gardeners to build upon their existing skillset. Garden Grounds Manager Stephanie Ranes covers the process of pruning a variety of California native trees, shrubs and perennials. Held outdoors in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

NOVEMBER

Fall Native Plant Shopping Opening Weekend | Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The largest selection of native plants on the central coast is augmented with additional inventory for the fall planting season. Shopping the Nursery does not require a reservation, please park in “Member” spot and visit kiosk for shopping pass.

Morning Bird Walk with Scot Pipkin | Thursday, Nov. 9, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education and engagement, leads a group walk through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or cameras. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Fall Family Evening Event: Nature Night | Friday, Nov. 10, 5 to 7 p.m.

Fun in the Garden as it transforms after dark. Discover what insects fly about at a black-light station, create nature luminaries to help illuminate the dark, enjoy a guided stroll and storytelling. The event takes place almost entirely in the dark; flashlights and blankets highly recommended. $10 Adults, $7 for children 3 to 7 years old (Garden members: $8 Adults, $5 for children 3 to 7 years old)

California Native Plant Irrigation with Alejandro Lemus | Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 to 11 a.m.

Introductory class for the home gardener interested in learning about native plants. The Garden’s Horticultural Educator Alejandro Lemus reveals the dos and don’ts of how to use irrigation to create a thriving native garden. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Poetry in the Garden: A Reading Celebration of a New Anthology of Poems | Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Poetry reading by contributors to new anthology “Out of the Ground: Poets Respond to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,” published by Gunpowder Press, in association with the Garden. Introduction by co-editor David Starkey and Chryss Yost, and by Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education and engagement. Book available for purchase. Event is free with Garden admission.

Morning Bird Walks with Rebecca Coulter | Tuesdays, Nov. 14, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join birding expert Rebecca Coulter as she leads group walks through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders welcome. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Free Nature Walks at Elings Park | Saturdays, Nov. 18, 9 to 10 a.m.

Join Garden experts for free walks through Elings Park to discover the biodiversity of the area and discover the progress of a new collaboration to restore an acre of the Park’s South Bluffs with California native plants. Held at Elings Park. Free.

Building Habitat in Your Home Gardening with Stephanie Ranes | Saturday, Nov. 18, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Introduction to how to better attract local animals to a home garden by using native plants and natural features with Garden Grounds Manager Stephanie Ranes. The hands-on course is held in various sections of the Garden. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

December

Holiday Shopping at the Garden Shop

A special selection of nature-inspired holiday gift items are available in the Garden Shop from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of the year. Garden reservations are not required for shopping at the Shop. Shoppers park in a “member” parking spot and check-in at the front kiosk to receive a shopper pass.

Morning Bird Walks with Rebecca Coulter | Tuesdays, Dec. 10, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join birding expert Rebecca Coulter as she leads group walks through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders welcome. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Free Nature Walks at Elings Park | Saturdays, Dec. 16, 9 to 10 a.m.

Join Garden experts for free walks through Elings Park to discover the biodiversity of the area and discover the progress of a new collaboration to restore an acre of the Park’s South Bluffs with California native plants. Held at Elings Park. Free.

Ready to Plan Your Visit

Reservations are required to visit the Garden for non-members. To make a reservation, click on the link below and remember to add the promo code “Fallinthe805” to receive 20% off admission Monday through Friday from October until the end of 2023.