Tom Rhodes

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Thomas “Tom” Rhodes brings a warm, local touch to his role as guest services associate at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. With over 50 years of experience creating stunning, handcrafted jewelry — many pieces of which are available for purchase in the Garden Shop — Tom adds a creative and personal element to the Garden’s unique offerings.

As part of his role, Tom is responsible for opening the Garden three days a week and closing it one day a week, ensuring that operations run smoothly for visitors. Saturdays, his favorite and busiest day, are when his passion for customer engagement shines as he greets guests, sells memberships, and provides answers to visitor questions. His role helps to ensure an exceptional experience for every visitor.

Tom’s dedication to the Garden and his love for sharing his community’s beauty and history make him an invaluable part of the team.