Description: Disney’s California Adventure is heavily landscaped with CA native plants, and more are in the future, with a goal of most plantings being native at some point. 72 acres.

Website: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disney-california-adventure

Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802

Fee: $$$$

Description: A 127 acrea public arboretum representing plants from around the world, including a large CA section. With a mission to be one of the world’s truly great arboreta and botanic gardens–the garden that best reflects Southern California’s distinct climate, community and openness to new ideas, the native plant component is expanding.

Website: arboretum.org

Address: 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007

Fee: $$

Description: The largest and most extensive native plant garden in California, representing approx. 2,000 unique plant taxa. Also a center for research, conservation, and academic education. 86 acres. Formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Website: calbg.org

Address: 1500 N College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711

Fee: $$

Description: An immaculately presented and maintained small 2.5 acre botanical garden featuring plants from around the world, but a growing collection of CA natives. The plants are well labelled and presented in well designed garden settings.

Website: www.thesherman.org

Address: 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

Fee: $

Description: The Ocean Institute is nationally known for its award winning, hands-on marine science, environmental education, and maritime history programs. Surrounding the central buildings are nice displays of coastal and Channel Island native plants especially suitable for gardens, installed with the assistance of Tree of Life Nursery. View article and video here, https://californianativeplants.com/blog/workshops/ocean-institutes-native-maritime-garden/

Website: oceaninstitute.org

Address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629

Fee: Gardens are free

Description: Located on the campus of California State University Fullerton, this 26 acre botanical garden is the largest in Orange County. It represents significant collections from around the world, including very nice examples of CA native habitats and their plants.

Website: fullertonarboretum.org

Address: 1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831

Fee: $ (small donation suggested and/or parking)

Description: Located on the campus of Golden West College, this is one of the best locations in OC to see a large selection of CA native plants in a garden setting. Co-founded by Orange County CNPS board member and past president Dan Songster, garden director.

Website: goldenwestcollege.edu/garden/index.html

Address: 15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Fee: Free for garden (small parking fee)

Description: A nice mixed planting with wandering trails and pretty good labeling. Includes plants from around the world, but especially CA natives and other Mediterranean climate species. Over 7,000 plants since 2001 on 3 acres. A project of the HB Tree Society.

Website: hbtrees.org/urban-forest-2

Address: 6681 Ellis Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Fee: Free

Description: A nature center and adjoining wetland and riparian area with 4,000 feet of trails. The trails meander through several habitats including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows, and Blackbird Pond (a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores). Within the Nature Center is a 1,500 sq. ft. Interpretive Building with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology. The native plants are mostly in a naturalistic setting.

Website: shipleynature.org

Address: 17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Fee: $ (small donation suggested)

Description: A small interpretive nature garden within Bommer Canyon Preserve with interpretive signs detailing the land use history within the preserve. The garden was initially installed in 2015, but has been revamped in 2022. ~1.2mi walk from the trailhead or just off the parking lot during Wilderness Access Days.

Address: 6400 Shady Canyon Trl., Irvine, CA 92603

Fee: Free

Description: A small native plant garden within a community park

Address: 3611 S Mall St., Irvine, CA 92606

Fee: Free

Description: A very well maintained RightScape demonstration garden surrounding the Visitors Center with several plant varieties, each identified with a plant marker and QR code for mobile access to plant-care details. California-native and non-native drought-tolerant plants are featured in two distinct sections of the landscape. Interpretive signs show how they differ in their growing characteristics and water needs. Additional signs illustrate how efficient irrigation technology and scheduling keep the garden looking healthy. A stormwater bioswale consisting of river rocks and stones runs prominently through the demo garden — to collect rain or irrigation water, helping it seep into the ground instead of running off-site. Be sure the visit the Audubon Native Plant garden as well, just a few steps away.

Website: rightscape.com/landscape-resources/irwd-demo-garden

Address: 5 Riparian View, Irvine, CA 92612

Fee: Free

Description: A small native plant garden adjacent to the IRWD demonstration garden at the San Joaquin Marsh. Be sure to also visit the IRWD Demonstration Garden as well, just a few steps away.

Website: rightscape.com/landscape-resources/irwd-demo-garden

Address: 5 Riparian View, Irvine, CA 92612

Fee: Free

Description: A nature center and trails at the base of the San Joaquin Hills. The five-acre nature preserve is both a home for wildlife and an outdoor classroom where visitors and program participants learn to protect our natural environment. The grounds are extensively landscaped with native plants in a naturalistic presentation.

Website: cityofirvine.org/parks-facilities/turtle-rock-nature-center

Address: 1 Sunnyhill Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

Fee: Free

Description: Two separate pollinator demonstration gardens installed and managed by The Pollinator Protection Fund. Well signed and mostly California native species.

Website: protectmonarchs.com

Address: 798 Blue Bird Canyon Dr., Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Fee:

Description: A pollinator demonstration garden installed and managed by The Pollinator Protection Fund and the City of Laguna Beach. Well signed and mostly California native species.

Website: www.visitlagunabeach.com/directory/heisler-park/

Address: 375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Fee: Park is free.

Description: Located at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, a 7 acre park of open space and trails. Several native plantings are included around the very nice Nix Nature Center.

Website:

1. www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast
2. www.ocparks.com/news/new-garden-attracts-pollinators-laguna-coast-wilderness-park

Address: 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Fee: $ parking

Description: An excellent demonstration garden at the Water District offices. Well maintained and well signed. Also available during their NatureScape Garden Tour.

Website: www.mnwd.com/naturescape-garden-tour/

Address: 26161 Gordon Rd, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Fee: Free

Description: An 18 acre botanical garden with collections of plants from around the world, including a nice collection of CA natives. 2,000 species are represented over four miles of walking trails.

Website: niguelbotanicalpreserve.org

Address: 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Fee: Free

Description: A small demonstration garden of California native plants in a landscape setting blended with Mediterranean species. Approximately 1 acre.

Website: etwd.com/demonstration-garden

Address: 24251 Los Alisos Blvd, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Fee: Free

Description: A good garden for school teachers and leaders to see what is possible and how to tie the local nature friendly plantings to school activities and curricula.

Website:

Address: 1 Tesoro Creek Rd, Las Flores, CA 92688

Fee:

Description: The Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site celebrates early California. The historic house is surrounded by a landscape of CA natives and other Mediterranean climate plants. 5 acres.

Website: rancholoscerritos.org

Address: 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807

Fee: Free. Reservations, walk-ups as available. 

Description: City park featuring multi-use trails, open green space, and picnic tables amid native plants and trees.

Website: cbwcd.org/visit/

Address: 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair, CA 91763

Fee: Free

Description: A pollinator demonstration garden installed and managed by The Pollinator Protection Fund and the local Homeowners Association. Well signed and mostly California native species.

Website: www.eastbluff.net/BlueHeronPark.html

Address: 2615 Basswood St., Newport Beach, CA 92660

Fee: Free

Description: This park surrounds the Newport Beach Civic Center where this is parking. Many acres of native plants (mostly in the north parks) are nicely integrated with ADA accessible meandering trails, nature describing signage, sculptures, bridges, smart water practices, a dog park, and to the far north is the Newport Transportation Center. Dogs are allowed.

Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Beach_Civic_Center_and_Park#Park_design

Address: 1306-1484 Avocado Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Fee: Free

Description: A beautiful presentation of 15 California native plant communities and their plants, presented in a naturalistic setting over 5 acres.

Website: encenter.org

Address: 1601 East 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Fee:

Description: A beautiful nature and interpretive center surrounded by native plantings, both adjacent to the nature center and on the rooftop garden.

Website: newportbay.org/facilities/muth-interpretive-center/the-ic/

Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Fee: Free

Description: A public display garden located at Santiago Canyon College and operated by Coastkeeper that demonstrates water efficiency, reduction of pollution, water run-off management, and pesticides and fertilizers impacts. The California Friendly and native plants featured at the garden require less water, fertilizers, and herbicides than typical landscaping choices.

Website:

Address: 8520 East Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA 92869

Fee: Free

Description: An 8,000 acre wilderness park. A few plantings around the Nature Center, plus one of the best places to see native plants in the wild.

Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers

Address: 33401 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Fee: $ (Entrance/parking)

Description: Really a neighborhood rather than a specific garden. The Los Rios District of San Juan Capistrano celebrates old California and is complete with many native plants scattered through the beautiful walking spaces. Approx 6-12 acres. Also just a five minute walk from Mission San Juan Capistrano

Website: sanjuancapistrano.net/los_rios

Address: 31831 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Fee: Free

Description: Reata Park in San Juan Capistrano features native gardens and an arboretum with mighty oaks and shady sycamores.

Website: sjcopenspacefoundation.org/projects/reata-park-and-event-center

Address: 28632 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Fee: Free

Description: The largest grower of California native plants in the state. Tree of Life Nursery takes pride in producing the highest quality of native plants and with knowledgeable, passionate and experienced staff. Adjacent to and among the nursery are several display plantings. A must for any CA native plant enthusiast!

Website: www.californianativeplants.com

Address: 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, 92675

Fee: Free

Description: One of the worlds great botanical gardens, over 130 acres and featuring 16 themed plant collections from around the world, including CA native species. The botanical collections comprise approximately 27,000 living plant taxa and the Huntington performs significant botanical and horticultural research.

Website: huntington.org/botanical-gardens

Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

Fee: $$

Description: An open to the public nature center managed by the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. It includes 12 acres of wandering trails with exhibits, ample wildlife, an adjacent nature trail and more. Trails connecting to the Cleveland National Forest also begin here. Native plants are throughout the display areas.

Website: encenter.org/tucker

Address: 29322 Modjeska Canyon Road, Silverado, CA 92676

Fee: Free

Description: One of California’s epicenters of native plant gardening. The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants is located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley. It includes a full-service native plant nursery, seed room, bookstore, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails that are open to the public year round. TPF also offers classes for adults and families, field trips, at-school programs, and outreach across the region.

Website: theodorepayne.org

Address: 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352

Fee: Free

Description: A 4,500 acre open space park. Look for a modest display garden of native plants not far from the entrance kiosk.

Website: ocparks.com/oneill

Address: 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678

Fee: $ parking

Description: The garden provides visitors with a living example of replicable landscaping strategies that save water, reduce pollution runoff, and reflect the beauty of Southern California’s native plants, trees, and wildlife. Utilizing available rebates and working with a diverse mix of partners, 5,011 square feet of thirsty grass was removed from the existing five-acre Coronet Park and replaced with low-water use trees, plants, grasses, water-efficient irrigation, permeable landscape materials, and naturally occurring features that capture and store water and reduce harmful runoff. The completed project is expected to save 235,517 gallons of water yearly over existing usage.

Website: www.ocwatersmartparks.com/westminster

Address: 15252 Oakcliff Dr, Westminster, CA 92683

Fee: Free

Description: A small 1/3 acre home demonstration garden, including native plants, signage and plant labeling. The City of Westminster has two Conservation Gardens, providing inspiration for drought tolerant landscaping that can be replicated at home. Westminster Water Conservation Gardens host nearly 20 species of drought tolerant California friendly and native plants. Local nurseries supplied plants for both gardens to ensure all varieties are available locally. Hardscape materials were donated by local vendors and offer a beautiful alternative to turf.

Website: westminster-ca.gov/departments/public-works/water-division/conservation-gardens

Address: 6312 California Avenue, Westminster, CA 92683

Fee: Free

Description: The City of Westminster has two Conservation Gardens, providing inspiration for drought tolerant landscaping that can be replicated at home. Westminster Water Conservation Gardens host nearly 20 species of drought tolerant California friendly and native plants. Local nurseries supplied plants for both gardens to ensure all varieties are available locally. Hardscape materials were donated by local vendors and offer a beautiful alternative to turf.

Website: westminster-ca.gov/departments/public-works/water-division/conservation-gardens

Address: 13241 Jasperson Way, Westminster, CA 92683

Fee: Free