Looking for a fun activity while on a college budget? Located in Mission Canyon, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the perfect way to spend a day outside with yourself, friends or anyone else who might want to tag along. The best part of the whole deal is that they offer a student discount for all who wish to immerse themselves in the beautiful outdoors.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the garden in the hills of Santa Barbara. Roughly a 25-minute trip from Isla Vista, the flora was in full bloom as I drove through rolling backroads to the entrance. I made sure to book my tickets prior to the adventure, and with the student discount, the total cost came out to $14 per person. Just remember to bring your student IDs!

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a staff member who kindly offered to talk to me and my partner through the map. The garden is divided into subsections, showcasing 11 different ecosystems native to California, such as meadows and canyons. You can roam the area at your pleasure, starting in the desert, the arroyo or the pollinator gardens. 

We chose to begin in the desert and slowly made our way through meadowlands and towering redwoods, where we could witness the landscape change suddenly from ecosystem to ecosystem. Despite there being a surplus of cars in the parking lot, we barely ran into other groups as we walked down the paths, and the trail was quiet aside from the chitter of the wildlife.

As beautiful as it was, there is more to the Garden’s mission than what meets the eye. Here, they are striving to build “a world where society understands the interdependency between people and plants, and acts to preserve the natural world.” So, how do they work to achieve this goal, beyond showcasing natural beauty? 

One way the garden carries out this mission is by emphasizing the historical significance of certain structures and areas within the site. As we wandered down the paths, occasional placards provided guests with information about everything from the Mission Dam and Aqueduct to the Campbell Bridge. In addition to these fun checkpoints, they heavily acknowledged the involvement of the Chumash Tribe and their role in sharing their deep knowledge and contributions to the ongoing sustainable practices used by the garden. The landmarks are an interactive way to promote the preservation of culture, which runs deeply within the garden’s history.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden also offers more than just an opportunity to observe different ecosystems. A quick look at their website will reveal a full list of events and classes that invite you to become involved in fun activities such as nature journaling and tea sessions in the Tea Garden. Many of the exhibitions are free of cost and open for non-members to enjoy! 

Aside from the interactive opportunities available to the public, the garden also participates in a wide variety of research, invasive species control and habitat restoration. These efforts play important roles in protecting and preserving California’s native ecosystems. 

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s “collective passion for the natural world” can be seen in every aspect of their work. My experience was both fun and educational, and I would urge anyone who may be interested to visit at least once during their time in the area. So if you need a new adventure, take the trip!