Santa Barbara: Botanical & Mission Gardens
Groves of Oak
As I’ve traveled over the years, one consistent activity I try to do is to visit any botanical gardens in the area. Each region varies, between plants, layouts, and details, but they are all worth visiting. The Santa Barbara Botanical Garden was no different. I’m sure I visited this place as a child, although I couldn’t recall the exact time. The clouds of the marine layer were still present in the late morning when I arrived and began the walk through the site.
Santa Barbara is known as California’s Mediterranean due to it’s climate and scenery, and the biodiversity is once again on display at the botanical garden. This garden focuses on the natural built environment rather than man-made structures and designs. This is well done and I’m sure it aids in the ongoing maintenance, this is truly an example of focusing on the native species that thrive here.
As you continue to walk through the garden, you are greeted by different areas, from a grove of young redwoods, to mature oaks. There’s a seasonal creek and channel for flood waters that was once tied into the aqueduct system that the local Indigenous tribes were forced to build under occupation during their Spanish conversion.
Redwood Grove
Sadly, a year or two after these photos were taken, some devastating floods swept through the area. I haven’t been back since, but I hope it has since recovered.
After going to the botanical garden, I returned to the mission during the day to capture more photos. I attempted to capture more of the surrounding gardens and water features, of which were beautifully well cared for.
The Santa Barbara Mission
