University of California Botanical Garden
Rating
Family of 4
$50-60 for 2 adults + 2 kids (children under 3 free).
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Ages
2-12
About
The University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley's Strawberry Canyon is one of the Bay Area's most underrated family destinations. Spread across 34 acres of hillside terrain, the garden organizes plants by geographic region — walking through it feels like a trip around the world, from the stark beauty of the New World Desert to the lush Chinese Medicinal Garden to the Pacific Rim collection.
For kids, the star attraction is hands-down the carnivorous plant collection. Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews, and other insect-eating species are displayed in a dedicated section, and children are absolutely riveted watching them. It's one of the most reliable ways to get a reluctant nature kid genuinely excited about botany.
The garden is stroller-friendly on the main paths, though some sections have steeper terrain that works better with a carrier for toddlers. Spring is the best time to visit for peak blooms, but the garden offers interest year-round thanks to its diverse global collections. At about $25 for two adults, with children under 3 free, it's an affordable half-day adventure for the whole family.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
true
Kid Meals
nearby
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) for peak blooms; weekday mornings are peaceful and uncrowded
Wait Times
No wait; timed-entry tickets not required
Nearby Food
No café inside the garden. The Elmwood neighborhood (15-minute drive) and Telegraph Avenue have excellent family-friendly cafés and restaurants. Pack your own food for the best experience.
Why Kids Love It
The UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley's Strawberry Canyon is a 34-acre living laboratory that kids experience as a global treasure hunt. The garden is organized by region — California natives, Asian flora, South American plants, desert specimens — and kids who love plants, bugs, and outdoor exploration find something new around every bend. The carnivorous plant collection is a perennial kid favorite: Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews are endlessly fascinating.
The Mediterranean garden and the New World Desert section feature plants with wild shapes and textures that spark imaginations.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Head straight to the carnivorous plant collection — it's a guaranteed kid favorite regardless of age.
- Download the UC Botanical Garden map before arriving; the garden is large and easy to get lost in.
- The garden is on a hillside — wear comfortable walking shoes and consider a carrier for very young toddlers on steeper paths.
- Combine with a visit to Tilden Nature Area (10 minutes north) for a full East Bay nature day.
What to Bring
- Picnic lunch (no café on site)
- Water
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Carrier for toddlers on steeper terrain
- Camera for the carnivorous plants
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$50-60 for 2 adults + 2 kids (children under 3 free).
Free on Thursdays for UC Berkeley affiliates.
Tips to Save
- ["Children 2 and under are free."
- ,"Thursdays are free for UC Berkeley affiliates — check if your employer or alumni status qualifies."
- ,"The Strawberry Canyon trail from the garden offers free hiking with similar views."
- ,"Pack a picnic; there's no café on site."
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 10AM-5PM
- Monday
- 10AM-5PM
- Sunday
- 10AM-5PM
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 10AM-5PM
- Thursday
- 10AM-5PM
- Wednesday
- 10AM-5PM
