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The Arboretum
at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has an exceptional coastal climate and diverse soils that make it an ideal place to cultivate plants from
California,
Australia,
South Africa,
New Zealand, and
other areas. The five major collections are displayed in natural garden settings. A professional curator manages each major collection. Most plants are from the wild, with detailed collection notes and field data.
There are three self-guided walking tours through through the arboretum. The World Tour is the longest and visits the major areas extensively. The Short Tour also visits the major areas, but on a much shorter trail. Many side trails branch off from both tours. The Hummingbird Tour focuses on plants that attract these unique birds.
There is a Eucalyptus Grove used by monarch butterflies as overwintering sites. Other gardens include an Aroma Garden, World Conifers, the Rare Fruit Garden, the Laurasian Forest, and the Cactus & Succulent Garden.
The Patrick Evander Taxonomy trail, along the World Tour, describes nearly 100 special plants. Most plants have an aluminum tag with the plant's Latin name.
Norrie's Gift Shop is a volunteer run gift shop that sells jewelry, garden equipment, clothing, books, and select plants. It is free to visit Norrie's.
The Arboretum is open every day, except Christmas and Thanksgiving, from 9AM to 5PM. Admission to the Arboretumn is $5 for Adults and $2 for Children, though it's free to UCSC students, Associates members, Arboretum volunteers, and American Horticulture Society members.
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